The Rankin Museum of American Heritage is a public, non-profit institution that?s aims to collect, preserve, exhibit, interpret, and teach about the cultural history, natural history, arts, and science that are part of the American heritage and to show that all ethnic groups have contributed to that rich heritage. The purpose also is to provide cultural enrichment, intellectual stimulation, learning, and pleasure for those who visit.

Rare and unique artifacts and specimens comprise the museum's holdings of Archaeology, Paleontology, Natural History, & Early Americana. Recognized by its diversity and uniqueness, the museum?s collection is considered to be one of the best Native American artifact collections in the state. The museum also features animal mounts from all over the world, including a life size polar bear, Kodiak bear, American bison, mountain lion, and a 14 feet alligator. The animal mounts share billing with an enormous fossil collection which spans 500 million years from the Cambrian Period to the Pleistocene. Early Americana exhibits contain representations of 19th century life in North Carolina. Antique farm tools, an operable loom, early musical instruments, and possibly the only 500 gallon turpentine still in the East are but a few of the many items on display.

Stroll through the Rankin Museum of American Heritage and discover one of the finest general artifacts collections in North Carolina. The Rankin Museum is fun for all ages affording visitors an opportunity to explore faraway places and times past through the different exhibits. Some of the exhibits include a vast collection of arrowheads and how they were made and used, and a seldom-seen Amazon jungle that provides a primitive feel of existence. While touring the museum, ponder on how you too could be as talented with crafts and inventive tools as the Native Americans and early settlers.