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• Siler City History Club ~ May 7 2026

  • When
    7 May 2026
  •  
    10:30 AM
  • Location
    First Baptist Church, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City

  We have a new schedule and new location for meetings of the Siler City History Club. In 2026, the Siler City History Club will meet every other month on the first Thursday of the month from 10:30-11:30.

  Our Next Siler City History Club Meeting will be held on

  Thursday, May 7, 2026

  at the First Baptist Church, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City

  
  

  Everyone is invited to listen and learn or share at these informal meetings intended to help us preserve Siler City’s colorful history. Bring a friend!

  Questions?  Contact Museum@chathamhistory.org

  
  

  
  

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• May BOOK CLUB ~ Like a Family

  • When
    16 May 2026
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • Location
    Historic Chatham County Courthouse, Pittsboro
  • Registered
    10 registrants

  Register

   “NC History Between the Lines”- A Local History Book Club

  MAY 2026 ~ MAKING A LIVING

  
  

  Like a Family: The Making of a Southern Cotton Mill World

  by Hall, Leloudis, Korstad, Murphy, Jones and Daly (1986)

  
  

  Like a Family explores life in Southern cotton mill villages, with a strong focus on the North Carolina Piedmont textile region (and many accounts from the mill in Bynum). Using local histories, the book reveals insight into the close knit communities shaped by work, faith, and resistance.

  The Chatham County Historical Museum invites you to join NC History Between the Lines, a monthly book club exploring our local area’s rich past through engaging reads that connect with historical themes. We’ll meet on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 am at the museum for lively discussion and conversation.

  Each month’s selection will reflect our rotating historical focus. Whether you’re a lifelong history lover or simply curious about the people and events that shaped our area, we would love for you to join us. Come read, learn, and share your perspectives as we connect our local stories to the larger sweep of American history.

  Sign up here for the Saturday, May 16, 2026 session where we will discuss Like a Family. Participation is free and you are welcome to bring friends.   

  Questions ~ or to borrow a copy of the book contact: Volunteers@chathamhistory.org

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• Volunteer Field Trip ~ Sanford Railroad House Museum

  • When
    17 May 2026
  •  
    12:30 PM
  • Location
    Sanford, NC
  • Registered
    12 registrants

  Register

  We hope that you and a guest can join us for a Volunteer Field Trip to Railroad House Museum in Sanford, NC on Sunday May 17th. 

  Sanford is located in Lee County, which was established in 1907 from parts of Moore and Chatham Counties, so this is an opportunity to learn more about Chatham County history as well. 

  Here are the final details:

  • Meet at 12:30 for lunch at Yarboroughs Homemade Ice Cream and Grill.  The address is 132 McIver Street and it’s just down the street from the museum.
  • After lunch we’ll go to the Railroad House Museum for a guided tour.  The museum is located at 110 Charlotte Avenue in the oldest house in Sanford, built in the 1870s.  It contains artifacts and other local historical information in addition to the interesting railroad history.  
  • We’ll wrap up the afternoon with a guided walking tour of historic downtown Sanford.

  I’ve spoken with several members of the Railroad House Historical Association.  They are excited to host us, and will be rolling out the red carpet!  Several board members of the Railroad House Historical Association plan to be there to meet us, and they may need to have an extra Docent on duty that day.  Based on this, I’d like to give them an estimated headcount well in advance.

  Please RSVP by Thursday, May 7th.

  If you have questions, or any problem registering, please contact Mary Betts at marywbetts@gmail.com.

  We hope you can join us!

  
  

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• June 7 Downtown Pittsboro Historical Walking Tour: Noon

  • When
    7 Jun 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Historic Chatham County Courthouse ~ 9 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro
  • Spaces left
    20

  Registration is closed

  Step into the past with the Chatham County Historical Association in the Downtown Pittsboro Historical Walking Tour Series! Each month explores a new theme, bringing the stories of our streets, buildings, and people to life. Walk through history with us and discover how downtown has evolved through the years.

  Our June Tour ~ "Transportation"

  Follow the routes that connected downtown to the wider world. Learn how roads, rails, and other modes of transportation shaped growth, commerce, and daily life and through time, changed how people moved around the county.
  

  • Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
  • Tour Time: Noon (Arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour.) 
  • Cost: $5 members, $10 non-members (Members may order guest tickets at the member price.)
  • Location: Meet at Historic Courthouse, 9 Hillsboro St
  • Group size: Limited to 20 participants per tour.
  • Age requirement: 12 years and older only (no pets or strollers) 
  • Weather: Rain or shine (canceled only in case of severe weather)

  Important notes:

  • Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes.
  • The tour will cover approximately one mile and will last about 90 minutes.
  • A liability waiver will be required at check-in.
  • Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is canceled due to severe weather.
  • Want discounted tickets? Join CCHA today. 

  This Chatham County Historical Association fundraiser is brought to you by our dedicated volunteers.

  Show details
• June 7 Downtown Pittsboro Historical Walking Tour: 2 PM

  • When
    7 Jun 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Historic Chatham County Courthouse ~ 9 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro
  • Spaces left
    20

  Registration is closed

  Step into the past with the Chatham County Historical Association in the Downtown Pittsboro Historical Walking Tour Series! Each month explores a new theme, bringing the stories of our streets, buildings, and people to life. Walk through history with us and discover how downtown has evolved through the years.

  Our June Tour ~ "Transportation"

  Follow the routes that connected downtown to the wider world. Learn how roads, rails, and other modes of transportation shaped growth, commerce, and daily life and through time, changed how people moved throughout the county.

  • Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
  • Tour Time: 2PM (Arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour.) 
  • Cost: $5 members, $10 non-members (Members may order guest tickets at the member price.)
  • Location: Meet at Historic Courthouse, 9 Hillsboro St
  • Group size: Limited to 20 participants per tour.
  • Age requirement: 12 years and older only (no pets or strollers) 
  • Weather: Rain or shine (canceled only in case of severe weather)

  Important notes:

  • Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes.
  • The tour will cover approximately one mile and will last about 90 minutes.
  • A liability waiver will be required at check-in.
  • Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is canceled due to severe weather.
  • Want discounted tickets? Join CCHA today. 

  This Chatham County Historical Association fundraiser is brought to you by our dedicated volunteers.

  Show details
• June BOOK CLUB- Fire on the Beach

  • When
    20 Jun 2026
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • Location
    Historic Chatham County Courthouse, Pittsboro
  • Registered
    1 registrant

  Register

   “NC History Between the Lines”- A Local History Book Club

  JUNE 2026 ~ TRANSPORTATION

  

  
  

  Fire on the Beach: Recovering the Lost Story of Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island Lifesavers by David Wright & David Zoby (2002)

  Fire on the Beach explores the dangers of 19^th century coastal transportation along North Carolina’s “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” where ships carrying goods and people faced constant danger. Through the story of Richard Etheridge and the all-black crew of the US Life-Saving Service, the crew faced discrimination and the dangers of the Atlantic yet rose to heroism in their service.

  The Chatham County Historical Museum invites you to join NC History Between the Lines, a monthly book club exploring our local area’s rich past through engaging reads that connect with historical themes. We’ll meet on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 am at the museum for lively discussion and conversation.

  Each month’s selection will reflect our rotating historical focus. Whether you’re a lifelong history lover or simply curious about the people and events that shaped our area, we would love for you to join us. Come read, learn, and share your perspectives as we connect our local stories to the larger sweep of American history.

  Sign up here for the Saturday, June 20 meeting at 9:30 am. Participation is free and you are welcome to bring friends.   

  Questions ~ or to borrow a copy of the book contact: Volunteers@chathamhistory.org

  Show details
• July BOOK CLUB- Redcoats on the Cape Fear

  • When
    18 Jul 2026
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • Location
    Historic Chatham County Courthouse, Pittsboro
  • Registered
    1 registrant

  Register

   “NC History Between the Lines”- A Local History Book Club

  JULY 2026 ~US INDEPENDENCE

  
  

  

  Redcoats on the Cape Fear: The Revolutionary War in Southeastern North Carolina by Robert M Dunkerly (2012, revised version of Redcoats on the River, 2008)

  Redcoats on the Cape Fear brings the American Revolution to Chatham County’s doorstep. British troops patrolled the Cape Fear River, and local farmers, townspeople, and militia faced danger, disruption, and difficult choices. Through local stories, this book shows how ordinary people helped shape the fight for independence right here in our area.

  The Chatham County Historical Museum invites you to join NC History Between the Lines, a monthly book club exploring our local area’s rich past through engaging reads that connect with historical themes. We’ll meet on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 am at the museum for lively discussion and conversation.

  Each month’s selection will reflect our rotating historical focus. Whether you’re a lifelong history lover or simply curious about the people and events that shaped our area, we would love for you to join us. Come read, learn, and share your perspectives as we connect our local stories to the larger sweep of American history.

  Sign up here for the Saturday, July 18 meeting at 9:30 am. Participation is free and you are welcome to bring friends.   

  Questions ~ or to borrow a copy of the book contact: Volunteers@chathamhistory.org

  Show details