Museums

Built about 1830 and restored in 1986, it features exhibits, paintings, sculpture and mixed-media works by Methodist University art faculty and students.  It was originally built for Charles Peter Mallet, a textile mill owner whose father served in the Revolutionary War and acquired the property as early as 1767.

Fascinate-U Children's Museum features safe, interactive exhibits, static displays and classroom space. The hands on displays represent a mini-city where children can explore their world the way they know best - through creative role-playing, manipulation and interaction. They can operate a store, be on TV, dress as U.S. soldiers, and practice dentistry!

Admission: $3.00 per child, $2.00 per adult

Collection of letters, books and artifacts pertaining to the Marquis de Lafayette at Methodist University.

From Native American trails to steamboats and trains, explore the importance of the early trade communities of Cross Creek and Campbellton.  This museum outlines the development of the plank road system that connected Fayetteville to other towns throughout North Carolina.  African American slave labor was used to build the plank roads.  Formerly, the building was home to the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad Company, which opened in Fayetteville in 1879 as a reorganization of the former Western railroad.

Enjoy the rich history of the Tar Heel state, including learning about Native Americans, European settlements, slavery, plank roads, steam boating, the Civil War and more.  In addition to permanent exhibitions and a changing gallery, exhibits on naval stores, early 19th Century domestic life, transportation, and folk potters are featured.  Other attractions include Arsenal Park, the remnants of the Fayetteville Arsenal, and the restored Victorian residence of E.A. Poe.

The 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum brings the history of our beloved American heroes in the All American Division from its birth in 1917, to the airborne battles of World War II, to the campaigns in Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, and the Person Gulf, to the present. Also checkout the aircraft and memorials outside.

The Airborne and Special Operations Museum preserves the extraordinary feats performed by airborne troops and their brother in arms, the special operations forces. By exploring the artifact displays, life-size dioramas, audio and visual displays, and motion simulator, you will gain a deeper respect and pride for the remarkable achievements of these brave All American Airborne soldiers.

Motion Simulator $5.00 and Movie Descending from the Clouds $4.00, both for $8.00.

On August 23, 1793,  the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry (FILI) was organized after President George Washington enacted the Militia Act.  During the Civil War, the FILI took over the Fayetteville Arsenal for the Confederate forces.  The armory contains historical artifacts, weapons, uniforms, and memorabilia, including the carriage that rode the Marquis de Lafayette during his visit to Fayetteville.  The FILI is still an active ceremonial unit ans is North Carolina's official historic military command.

The JFK Special Warfare Museum, established in 1963, spotlights the proud history of the US Army Special Operations and Special Forces units, also know as the Green Berets.  The history of unconventional warfare spans more than 250 years, dating back to the French and Indian War and Rogers Rangers.  The Museum contains many unique items from World War II, The Vietnam War and current operations.

Have fun and learn at the same time while you look at the wonders of the sky. Planetarium programming centers around the sky phenomena and connections with historical events. The Planetarium features a projector with 2,354 stars and offers five programs geared to specific grade-level curricula or K-12 school groups, including astronomy ans space science programs for Boy and Girl Scouts. General programs are offered to the public when time permits. Call ahead to arrange a visit to the facility's observatory.