Historic Mocksville School Building to Be Transformed into a Living Museum
A long-held vision for preserving Davie County’s story has officially moved from idea to reality with the purchase of the former Mocksville Graded School building at 220 Cherry Street. The historic structure will soon serve as the permanent home of the county’s first-ever history museum.
Built in 1911 for the Board of Graded School Trustees of Mocksville, the building holds deep roots in the community. It was Mocksville’s first graded public school, educating students in grades one through eleven until the construction of Mocksville High School in 1924. In later decades, the building housed administrative offices for the Davie County Board of Education. Now, more than a century after its construction, the landmark is preparing for its next chapter as the future Davie County Museum.
“Bill Junker and I were classmates and friends since kindergarten. We shared a passion for history and collecting memories before they were lost. Davie County was one of very few counties to not have a county museum. We realized that we needed one to preserve the rich story of Davie County and its people. As we were approaching the age of 80, we knew if we were to see this longtime dream come true, we better hurry! All this led to forming a new non-profit, Davie County Museum, Inc.,” said Charles Crenshaw, chairman.
A Grassroots Effort to Preserve Local History
The building was purchased by Davie County Museum Inc., a North Carolina 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in March 2025 by a small group of local leaders committed to preserving and celebrating Davie County’s heritage. After years of seeing multiple attempts to create a county history museum fall short, the group resolved to turn the vision into reality. The board of directors for the museum includes Chairman Charles Crenshaw, Vice Chairman Grady McClamrock, Secretary Christine Bralley, Treasurer Jane Simpson, Terry Bralley, Alice Garrett Brown, Ben Fleming, Neal Foster, Janie Zimmerman Hendrix, Bill Johnson, Butch Rooney, and Director Emeritus Bill Junker. Marcia Phillips will serve as the historic museum advisor.
The acquisition of the former school building marks the organization’s first major milestone and lays the foundation for a permanent space dedicated to telling Davie County’s story.
“With the purchase of the historic Cherry Street School, our dream is within reach,” said Crenshaw. “This museum can proudly exhibit our county history and relate past to present. Hopefully it will be a source of pride locally and a drawing card for people from other places to visit our county.”
An Interactive Museum for All Generations
Plans are already underway to convert the usable space into an engaging, interactive museum. Future exhibits will highlight Davie County’s notable people, historic sites, key industries, sports legends, and more, creating a destination that reflects both the county’s past and its evolving identity.
For now, the museum’s website serves as the beginning of that journey through a growing community photo collection. Visitors are invited to explore images that capture the people, places, and events that have shaped Davie County over the years.
As stated on the website, “This photo collection is built by the community—photos shared, stories remembered, and moments preserved. Together, they create a living archive that reflects the heart of Davie County and the people who call it home.”
The online collection offers residents an opportunity to begin engaging with the museum before its doors open and provides a way for the community to help preserve Davie County’s history one photograph and one story at a time. If you have photos or artifacts you’d like to contribute, you can fill out the form HERE.
Community-Funded and Community-Focused
The purchase of the property was made possible entirely through private donations from residents who believe in preserving Davie County’s history for future generations. Contributions continue to be accepted. Donations may be made through the Museum website, www.daviecountymuseum.org, or by mailing a check to Davie County Museum, PO Box 124, Mocksville, NC 27028.
Gifts may also be made to the Museum endowment to ensure support into perpetuity by contributing to the Zimmerman/Shutt Davie County Museum Endowment at the Davie Community Foundation.
The organization’s mission is clear: Preserve the Past, Share it with the Present, and Inspire Future Generations of Davie County. Inclusivity and accessibility are central to the museum’s vision, with plans to create an environment where both residents and visitors can connect with the county’s diverse stories.
What’s Next for the Davie County Museum
Following a renovation period to adapt the building for museum use, Davie County Museum Inc. anticipates opening with thought-provoking exhibits and educational programming designed for all ages and interests.
The museum is currently accepting tax-deductible monetary donations to support renovation, exhibits, and operations. Donations may be mailed to PO Box 124, Mocksville, NC 27028. The organization plans to begin accepting donations of historical items in the near future, with guidelines and details to be announced.
Looking ahead, the museum expects to partner with local and state governments, schools, museums, and foundations to create a dynamic cultural destination that will serve Davie County for generations.
For more information:
Davie County Museum Inc.
PO Box 124
Mocksville, NC 27028
336-753-1211