25th Anniversary Celebration!

telling our story. preserving our history. inspiring generations.

Join us on Saturday, May 24, 2025, as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Museum of Butler, TN! For a quarter of a century, we have honored the resilient people who called Old Butler and Watauga Valley home for generations and told the incredible story of the "town that wouldn't drown!"

about the event

Our 25th Anniversary Celebration has been specially created to include activities and organizations that embrace the culture and heritage of our wonderful valley! The day will be filled with live music and entertainment, a vendor fair featuring regional artists, craftsmen, nonprofit organizations, historical groups, and regional authors. Enjoy delicious concessions by the Butler Ruritan.

We have over $1,500 in door prizes! Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5, 12 for $10, or get 20 tickets when you sign up for an annual museum membership for a $25 donation. Your membership is good all season long! Proceeds will help fund our museum operating costs and improvement projects.

Visit the Stout store for a free RC Cola, Moon Pie, and a friendly game of checkers!

Doris Stam will be our featured guest as she signs copies of her new book,

D.D. Dougherty, Lillie Dougherty and the Early Years of Appalachian State.

Make sure you get your photos taken by Dan Cullinane at the horse carriage!

Admission to the event and museum are free. Parking at the museum is reserved for our

guests with mobility issues. Free parking is available within a short walk to the museum.

Please bring your own chairs! Feel free to contact us with any questions.

meet our featured authors

Doris Perry Stam

D.D. Dougherty, Lillie Dougherty and the Early Years of Appalachian State

Ralph E. Lentz, II

W.R. Trivett, Appalachian Pictureman: Photographs of a Bygone Time

visit our vendor fair

Butler Ruritans
Butler VFD
ACTION Coalition
Doris Stam, Author & Historian
Little Doe Church
Daughters of American Revolution
Johnson County Historical Society
Beech Mountain Historical Society
Roan Mountain State Park
Sycamore Shoals
B Carroll Reece Museum
Mountain City VFW Post 6908
VFW Auxiliary

Ralph Lentz, Author & Historian
American Legion (Honor Guard)
Shady Valley Festival of Quilts
Shady Valley Quilts of Valor
Boy Scouts of America
Axe Throwing / Ruritans
Johnson County Longterm Recovery
Tennessee Mountain Arts
Haley Henson, Artist
Young at Heart Square Dancing
Ginny's Custom Creations
Jean Schenley, Artist

Sugar Grove Church