Cleveland County Historical Collection

The Cleveland County Historical Collection includes documents, artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia documenting the history of the county. Established in 1841 from parts of Rutherford and Lincoln counties, Cleveland County was named for Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, known for his role in the American Revolution at the Battle of Kings Mountain. The region has played a significant role in agriculture and textile manufacturing, which fueled its economic growth throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

The collection was established in the late 1970s as part of the former Cleveland County Historical Museum. After closing in 2004, ownership of the collection was transferred to Cleveland County, who prioritizes efforts to preserve and digitize the materials in partnership with the Earl Scruggs Center Museum and Gardner-Webb University Archives.

Materials in the Cleveland County Historical Collection are noted in the contributor field of the item records and the accession number/donor name are noted in the description field. All items in the Cleveland County Historical Collection are under the ownership of Cleveland County and managed by the Earl Scruggs Center. Contact the Earl Scruggs Center at info@earlscruggscenter.org or 704-487-6233 for questions regarding the collection.