Fall in the Waxhaws: Remembering Our Scots-Irish Roots

In the 1700s the Waxhaws welcomed families of Scots-Irish (often called Ulster Scots) origin. These settlers carried with them a rich fabric of autumn customs that helped bind neighbors into community in a new land. READ MORE

Why Living History Matters – Breathing Life Back into Our Past

When the doors of the Museum of the Waxhaws closed during COVID-19, we were forced into silence. The exhibits stood still. The grounds were quiet. But in that stillness, we learned something profound — human connection is the heartbeat of history. READ MORE

Celebrating the 4th of July in Waxhaw: Small-Town Traditions with Big-Hearted Spirit

As fireworks light up the summer sky and the scent of barbecue fills the air, Independence Day offers communities across America a chance to come together and celebrate the spirit of freedom. In Waxhaw, North Carolina, that celebration is steeped in rich tradition, deep community roots, and a love for history that connects the present to the past.

At the Museum of the Waxhaws, we see the 4th of July not just as a national holiday, but as a reflection of what makes small-town life so meaningful. Here in Waxhaw, where historic charm meets Southern hospitality, Independence Day is more than parades and pyrotechnics—it’s a day where neighbors become family and stories are passed down over picnic blankets and porch swings. READ MORE

The Battle of the Waxhaws: A Turning Point in American Revolutionary History and the 2024 Reenactment Weekend

The Battle of the Waxhaws is a significant, yet often overlooked, event in the American Revolutionary War. Taking place on May 29, 1780, near the Waxhaw Settlement in present-day South Carolina, the battle had lasting consequences on the morale of the American colonists and the trajectory of the Southern Campaign. READ MORE

Listen and Remember: A Historical Play About the Formation of Waxhaw’s Colonial Settlement

From 1965 to 2006, the town of Waxhaw, NC, was home to a beloved outdoor play called Listen and Remember. The play told the story of the formation of the Waxhaws Colonial Settlement by Scots-Irish immigrants, a pivotal moment in the history of the area, and the birthplace of future U.S. President Andrew Jackson. READ MORE

The Strange Tale of Andrew Jackson Sr.’s Final Journey

Andrew Jackson Sr., the father of future U.S. President Andrew Jackson, passed away in February 1767, at his home in what is now Mineral Springs, NC. As a husband and father of two sons with another child on the way, his death was a tragic event for his family and the Waxhaws community where he lived, but the story of his final journey to the Waxhaws Presbyterian church is one of strange and unexpected events. READ MORE

Andrew Jackson, a Majority of One

Judy Simpson Cook, writer, producer, director, and actress, shared her gifts with the Museum of the Waxhaws by writing, directing and producing, Andrew Jackson, a Majority of One on March 26, 2023. Bob Hook, local area actor, performed this one-person play taking place on the last evening of Andrew Jackson’s second term as President. READ MORE