Fayetteville History Museum

The Fayetteville History Museum is a wonderful, educational resource for the City of Fayetteville. In addition to a self-guided experience, guided tours are offered for schools, home school groups, scouts, churches, civic groups, military units, and more. Tours are free and can be adapted to suit the needs of a wide range of ages and educational objectives.

For more information or to schedule a tour or program call 910-433-1457 or 910-433-1458. Tours have maximum/minimum participant requirements. We open early for groups and tours can be shortened, lengthened, or tailored to meet your group's needs.

Tours of the Museum and Annex

Let staff lead the way through our exhibits. Our tours emphasize transportation and local history using a "now and then" approach to make the past relevant.

Downtown Walking Tours

Discover the history of local landmarks and walk in the footsteps of historically significant personalities with a tour of Fayetteville's Downtown Historic District. Your customized tour may include a visit to the Market House, the Fayetteville Light Infantry Museum and Armory, some of the historic churches, Liberty Point, Cool Springs Tavern, and Cross Creek Cemetery.

Preschool Group Special Emphasis Tours

We offer themed experiences for visitors ages 3 to 5. Each program includes a sing-along, story time, and exploration of specific artifacts in the museum and annex.

Need a speaker for your upcoming program or event? Staff at the museum offer presentations on a variety of local history topics to organizations and groups in the community. Whether it is military heritage, historic preservation, or anything related to Fayetteville or Cumberland County's history, we can help make your program a historical success.

Many people enjoy visiting the Fayetteville History Museum. Did you know that you can expand your experience by becoming a volunteer? At the museum there are a number of opportunities: greeting visitors, assisting with our collections, or helping with our exhibits. Expand your knowledge of local history and the museum's reach into the community. Help us let the history of Fayetteville and Cumberland County shine.

NEW! Historic Classroom at Orange Street School Open House

Join museum staff for a look inside the recently restored Historic Classroom at Orange Street School, located at 600 Orange Street. Learn about the educational significance of the school, the Black leaders of Fayetteville who paved the path, and the continuing impact this institution has in Fayetteville. Call to register at (910) 433-1457.
All ages; Sat., Jan. 24; 11 am-noon; Free

E. E. Smith House Open House

A new semester has begun! Join museum staff for a look inside the Dr. E. E. Smith House, located at 135 Blount Street. Learn about the life and legacy of one of Fayetteville's own educators, Dr. Ezekiel Ezra Smith, and his impact on the community. Built in 1902, the E. E. Smith House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Call to register at (910) 433-1457.
All ages; Fri. Feb. 14 and 28; 10-11 am; Free

Downtown Historic Landmark Scavenger Hunt

Explore and engage with Historic Downtown Fayetteville! Follow the Fayetteville History Museum's social media for landmarks to search for in this interactive scavenger hunt. To participate, simply take a picture of the landmark, upload and tag the museum, then stop by the museum once you've completed the scavenger hunt. How many historic landmarks can you find?.
All ages; Begins in Sept.; During museum hours; Free

Downtown Architecture Walking Tour

Much of Fayetteville’s history can be traced through its historic structures. Explore the form and function of our built environment with this walking tour. Join museum staff at 325 Franklin St. at noon for this unique tour of our hometown! Moderate walking is involved. For more information and to register, call 910-433-1457.
10+; Fri., Nov. 14; noon-1 pm; Free

A Dickens Holiday

The Fayetteville History Museum and Downtown Alliance invite you to A Dickens Holiday, something only a Scrooge would miss! Come to enjoy a host of Victorian inspired events to include music performances, costumes, caroling, special carriage rides, and much more. This is a great day to take a stroll through downtown. For more information, visit www.faydta.com.
All ages; Fri., Nov. 28; 1-9 pm; Free and fee activities

City Market at the Museum Winter Holiday Celebrations

The City Market at the Museum invites you to come out and shop local for the holiday season. Each Saturday we will offer a Winter Holiday themed craft or activity for visitors (while supplies last) to enjoy while they check off their Christmas lists with local crafters and growers. The market meets Sat. from 9 am-1 pm. Fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey and other farm products are offered for sale. These seasonal offerings along with plants, flowers, wood crafts, knitted goods, soap, candles, jewelry and other handcrafted products can be purchased. Lots of fun “mini-events” are planned throughout the season. The market season runs from April-Dec., but a number of vendors appear year-round.

• All ages; Sat., Dec. 6; Create a Christmas/Holiday Card; 9 am-1 pm; Free

• All ages; Sat., Dec. 13; Winter Holidays Around the World; 9 am-1 pm; Free

• All ages; Sat., Dec. 20; Winter Warmer with Hot Cocoa!; 9 am-1 pm; Free

Historic Church Tour

Join us on Monday, December 8 as we travel through Downtown Fayetteville to learn about the development of our community’s early religious and historic churches. Participants will travel via bus but the tour does involve some walking. Registration is required. Space is limited and offered on a first come, first serve basis. For more information or to register, call the museum at (910) 433-1457.
10+; Mon., Dec. 8; 9 am-noon; $5/person

Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt

Pick a chilly Saturday in January to go on a hunt through our main museum galleries. Each Saturday in the month of January, kids can search for special local history questions (and the answers) hidden throughout our exhibits. This self-guided, family-friendly activity is perfect for Grades 2-5 who are eager to learn more about Fayetteville and the surrounding area. Prizes awarded while supplies last.
6+; Sat.; Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31; During museum hours; Free

Black History Month Scavenger Hunt

The Fayetteville History Museum galleries share many facets of the impactful story of Fayetteville’s Black community. Individuals can search for special local African American history questions (and the answers) hidden throughout our exhibits. This self-guided, family-friendly activity is perfect for all ages who are eager to learn more about Fayetteville and it’s rich African American History.
All ages; Feb.; During museum hours; Free

Historic Cross Creek Cemetery #1 American Revolution Tour

Join a local historian this winter for a tailored tour of Cross Creek Cemetery #1 on the eve of the 250^th Anniversary of the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge. Learn about some extraordinary Fayettevillians who experienced the American Revolutionary War firsthand, whether as a soldier, or a loved one who waited. Topics including cemetery iconography and architecture will also be explored. The tour begins at 339 N. Cool Springs Street, next to the Cross Creek Cemetery #1 signage. Parking is available along N. Cool Springs St. Participants will travel in the cemetery, requiring moderate walking.
All ages; Fri., Feb. 27; noon-1 pm; Free

The museum features a number of exhibits to highlight specific people, events and places that impacted Fayetteville and Cumberland County. We encourage you to visit us often, as there is always something new to see and learn about the history of our area.
All ages; Tues.-Sat.; 10 am-4 pm; Free

The Art of Dying: A Chronological Look at Funerary Practices in Cumberland County

This temporary exhibit highlights our local story of death: how we prepare, how we mourn, and how we care for those who pass. Included in this display are mourning clothing and accessories, artifacts relating to Fayetteville’s funerary industry, iconography, and local historical cemetery secrets.
All ages; Begins Tue., Sep. 30; During museum hours; Free

Fayetteville's Music History Exhibit

This temporary exhibit takes a look at Fayetteville’s music history, from schools to the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, to artists who lived in Fayetteville. On display will be several artifacts including sheet music, images, and more. Come check out our tunes! 
All ages; Begins Jan. 20; During museum hours; Free

Ongoing exhibits include:

African Americans Building Fayetteville
Baseball
History of the Cape Fear River
Naval Stores
PreContact
The Fayetteville Observer
...and more!