I moved to High Point, NC a week or so after I graduted from the University of Maine at Farmington. I knew nothing about the place, other than it was home to the university that I was going to work for and that it was in the middle of the state.
After living and working there for six years now, I know a little more. I know that it was originally named because it was the highest point on the North Carolina railroad that made it's way through Guilford County. I know that it's the Home Furnishings Capital of the World, and that it is North Carolina's "International City" because of the large furniture and textile markets that it showcases every year. I know that American Idol winner Fantasia was born and raised here. And that's about it.
On my drives around High Point, I often passed by the museum honoring the history of High Point, but I never went inside. So, in the spirit of this blog, I decided that today I would go check it out.
Upon arriving, I was greeted to a very nice volunteer at the front desk, as well as the director of the museum itself. Like the city itself, the High Point Museum has seen better days. It is currently owned by the city, which means that it has limited hours and a limited staff. The collection, however, is still owned and cared for by the High Point Historical Society. And my what a collection it is...
The first exhibit went WAY back to the earliest inhabitants of the area, the Native Americans...
And then they showcased some of the early settlers of the "Back Country."
It seems to me that they glossed over a lot between the time of the Native Americans and the time of the white settlers...
In all seriousness, there were some really cool parts in the museum. Since High Point was his hometown, there was a great exhibit on John Coltrane.
The was also some amazing furntiure. You know the coolest thing about these two rooms?
They're minatures.
The minature gallery was my favorite exhibit in the whole museum. The craftmanship and the patience that must have gone into these works is truly impressive. The artistry and the skill showcased in these little pieces provides evidence why High Point thrived for so long as a design and furniture power house.
Those days are fading fast, however, as more and more companies are closing up shop. The actually manufacturing of the furniture rarely happens here anymore. Instead, it's all been outsourced to other countries that will do the work faster and for less pay. The Furniture Market, once an enormous draw for the city, is not the same as it once was. As I was leaving, one last exhibit, simply titled "Uncertain Future," was pretty powerful. What happens to a city that cannot adapt and change?
I think it's important for cities like High Point, cities that can be found all across America, to look to their past. This country was founded by people who worked hard to make something of their lives. They built this nation, road by road, house by house, and chair by chair. They built railroads and business and settlements, and these settlements became the cities and communities that we live in today. They had gumption, they had hutzpah. They had the inspiration to start something new. And it's about time that we started doing the same.
Places like the High Point Museum can remind us of where we've been, sure, but they can also point us in a direction of where we can go. Like those that came before us, it's up to us to choose that direction. Hopefully, it's a good one.
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