Locations
Old County Courthouse
The Rowan Museum is located at 202 North Main Street in the 1854 Courthouse which survived Stoneman’s raid. It is one of the finest examples of pre-civil war architecture in the state. Housing the collections of the Museum, its grand old rooms including the beautiful second floor court room and public gathering place, reflect the life and history of Rowan County through displays and interpretive exhibits. It is open to the public, Monday through Friday, 10– 4 pm and Saturday and Sunday 1-4 pm. There is no admission charge, donations are accepted. For more information or to schedule group tours anytime during the week, call 704-633-5946. The Rowan Museum also sponsors an annual Antiques Show the second Friday and Saturday in November, featuring 20 fine dealers from across the country.
Old Stone House
When Michael Braun completed his stone house in 1766, the site was virtual wilderness. The two-story Georgian house is indeed stately for its time with the stones on the front carefully shaped and matched, creating an impressive face to visitors. Climb to the second floor and you’ll discover high up in the end walls next to the chimneys, openings that some believed to be gun ports for fighting off hostile Indians (actually they were ventilation holes for bringing cool air onto the second floor). The Old Stone House is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays 1 – 4 pm with a charge for admission, April through November. The Old Stone House is located on Old Stone House Road in Granite Quarry. For more information or to schedule group tours, call the Rowan Museum, Inc. at 704-633-5946.
Utzman Chambers House
This Federal townhouse was built by Jacob Stirewalt, master builder of the period, and reflects the lifestyle of the more affluent citizens of the early 1800’s with its unique curved staircase and exquisite interior moldings and details. One of the few surviving Federal period townhouses in piedmont North Carolina, it features period rooms with Hepplewhite and Chippendale furniture as well as furniture made by Rowan County craftsmen. The house and garden are open to the public, April thru’ November, Saturday, 1 – 4 pm with a charge for admission. It is located at 116 South Jackson Street. For more information or to schedule group tours, call the Rowan Museum at 704-633-5946.