To inspire curiosity and connection by weaving together the art and history of Gaston County.
To be a place where people can come together and find unity in their common threads.
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History is a place where art, history, and community meet. Located on the Historic Dallas Courthouse Square in Dallas, North Carolina, the museum collects, preserves, and shares the stories of Gaston County and the surrounding region through permanent and rotating exhibits, interactive programs, and a collection center housing more than 83,000 artifacts, archives, and works of art.
Our permanent collections trace the threads of Gaston County’s textile heritage, celebrate the legacy of Gastonia-born artist John T. Biggers through one of the most significant collections of his work in the country, and preserve the everyday objects and voices that have shaped this community. Our rotating galleries bring new perspectives throughout the year, and our education programs connect learners of every age to the history beneath their feet.
The Gaston County Museum has been a gathering place for this community for decades. What began as a local effort to preserve the county’s history has grown into a fully accredited institution through the American Alliance of Museums, recognized at the national level for its commitment to excellence. Along the way, the museum has expanded its collections, deepened its programming, and opened its doors wider to audiences across the region.
The museum’s main exhibitions are located inside the historic Hoffman Hotel, built in 1852. As part of a larger campus on the Dallas Courthouse Square, the Museum also maintains the Daniel J. Stowe Carriage House and the Anne Biggers Furr Learning Depot. Visitors can explore the largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in N.C. inside the Carriage House during their visit or take a variety of art classes in the restored Carolina and Northwestern Train Depot, which serves as the primary location for art education. Acquired in 1976 as the Museum’s first historic property, the Depot has served as a location for art education since the Museum’s founding year.
In addition to the historic Dallas campus, the Museum hosts a satellite location at the Kessel History Center inside the Historic Loray Mill in Gastonia which highlights the importance of the textile industry in Gaston County, and the impact that labor movements in our community made on a national level.
The Gaston County Museum also boasts one of the most important collections of local art and history in the region in its Collections and Archives Center at 1904 Dallas Cherryville Highway. Dedicated museum staff care for the preservation of art and artifacts, assist community members with research, and digitize collections at this unique location. Vistors are welcome at the Center by appointment.
Each museum space carries its own character, but together they tell a larger story about what it means to preserve and share a community’s identity.
From hosting exhibitions by local artists and welcoming traveling exhibits like the America250 initiative, to offering programs like Fireside History Chats that explore local history, the museum has always seen itself as more than a place to look at objects behind glass. It is a place to gather, to learn, and to explore our shared history.
The people behind the Gaston County Museum bring a deep commitment to preserving and sharing the art and history of this region.
From curatorial research and exhibit design to education programming and community outreach, our staff works every day to make sure this museum remains a place of learning, connection, and pride for all of Gaston County.
The Gaston County Museum’s impact stretches far beyond its walls. Here is a look at what this museum means to the community it serves.
The Gaston County Museum is proud to work alongside a network of organizations that share our commitment to education, preservation, and community. These partnerships strengthen the museum’s programs, expand our reach, and connect us to the broader cultural landscape of North Carolina.
The museum operates as a public-private partnership with a 501c3 Board of Trustees and as a department of Gaston County Government. We work closely with Gaston County Schools, the Gaston County Public Library, Gaston County Parks and Tourism, and the Town of Dallas. Our programming for public school students is free, and our collaboration with the library system extends access to the county’s history through shared resources and joint initiatives.
We are proud to stand alongside a network of museums and heritage groups across the region that fall under the North Carolina Museums Council and the Southeastern Museums Conference including the Kings Mountain Historical Museum, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Schiele Museum of Natural History, Belmont Historical Society, Cherryville Historical Museum, Cramerton Historical Society Museum, Mount Holly Historical Society & Museum, Preservation Gaston Inc, Historic Preservation Commission and the African American Museum of History & Culture at Loray Mill. We also partner with heritage organizations like the Gaston-Lincoln Genealogical Society and multiple chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and our reach extends to partnerships with Charlotte Museums and historic sites.
The Museum is a trusted community partner within Gaston County, and our staff serve on boards that impact the arts and cultural sector, education, literacy, historic societies, local business, and more. We are deeply committed to providing opportunities for emerging and established local artists and work with community members to ensure the history we interpret in our galleries is relevant to visitors and reflective of the spirit of Gaston County. The museum regularly collaborates with schools, civic groups, and cultural organizations to bring meaningful programming to the community. We are a member of the Gaston Business Association and a recognized nonprofit partner within Gaston County.
The Museum is a trusted community partner within Gaston County, and our staff serve on boards that impact the arts and cultural sector, education, literacy, historic societies, local business, and more. We are deeply committed to providing opportunities for emerging and established local artists and work with community members to ensure the history we interpret in our galleries is relevant to visitors and reflective of the spirit of Gaston County. The museum regularly collaborates with schools, civic groups, and cultural organizations to bring meaningful programming to the community. We are a member of the Gaston Business Association and a recognized nonprofit partner within Gaston County.
El Museo del Condado de Gaston se compromete a ofrecer una experiencia acogedora y accesible a todos los visitantes. Creemos que el arte y la historia pertenecen a todo el mundo, y trabajamos para garantizar que nuestros espacios, programas y recursos reflejen esa convicción.
Accessible parking spaces are available directly in front of the museum. The main entrance is wheelchair accessible and located at the front of the building. The museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible throughout, with an elevator available in the modern staircase. Accessible, all-gender bathrooms with baby changers are located on the first floor.
Visitors with sensory sensitivities should be aware that the second-floor galleries contain audio elements that could be an issue for some visitors. Please ask a museum team member about low-sensory options for your visit.
The museum is working to expand multilingual access to its resources, with priority support for Spanish and Haitian Creole speakers. All second and third floor exhibits are printed in English and Spanish, with accompanying materials available in Haitian Creole. We are committed to serving the full diversity of Gaston County’s growing community and ensuring that language is not a barrier to learning about our shared history.
The Gaston County Museum strives to inspire diverse audiences to consider their shared histories through the art and history of Gaston County and its surrounding region. We are always working to improve our accessibility and welcome feedback from visitors on how we can do better.
Ali Pizza holds a B.F.A. in Craft and Sculpture from The University of the Arts, in Philadelphia and an M.A. in Arts Administration from Winthrop University. She started her career at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and completed her training in conservation at The University of Oxford, England. Overall, her work in the arts encompasses nearly 20 years in major national and international museums and Universities. In her adopted home of North Carolina, Ali is passionate about promoting art and history collections that engage and inspire, and leading teams of creative individuals to inspire change through the arts.
Ali believes that museums should be places of respite, exploration, and discovery. She values the idea of museums as “brave spaces” that challenge and unite visitors in their shared humanity. As Director, Ali is dedicated to transforming the Gaston County Museum into a place of belonging, where visitors see themselves reflected in relevant exhibitions and programming that tell the story of Gaston County.
Matthew Titchiner is the Assistant Director at the Gaston County Museum. He is a native of Barrowford in Lancashire, England, and holds a B.A. Hons in Archaeology & Medieval History from the University of Hull. He started his career at the King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester, England, as part of the museum team delivering cultural experiences around the discovery and reinternment of a medieval monarch. Since then, he has continued guiding museums managing the 18th century palatial Harewood House in Leeds, home of the Earl of Harewood and one of the ten Treasure Houses of England, as well as leading the Museum & Archives of Rockingham County in Wentworth, NC.
Matthew is passionate about firmly situating museums as conveners, encouraging open dialogue and providing engaging experiences to bring people together through shared history. He is excited to be a part of the team realizing the Gaston County Museum’s full potential, both as an enriching community resource and as an integral thread in the county’s cultural fabric.
In his free time Matthew delights in spending time with his wife Daniela and the adventure of bringing up their young twin girls Brianna and Evelyn. He also enjoys playing badminton and pickleball, finding new breweries, genealogical research, hiking, traveling and a good cup of tea.
Alicyn Wiedrich is the curator of the Gaston County Museum of Art & History. Alicyn has a master’s degree in History with a concentration in Public History from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Before joining the Gaston County Museum, Wiedrich worked as the art curator of the Imperial Centre of the Arts & Sciences for seven years. With her love of art and passion for history, Alicyn looks forward to developing exhibitions that reflect the Gaston County community (past and present). When she’s not at work, Alicyn enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and cooking something yummy in the kitchen. She loves to read while cuddled up with her cat, Eleanor, and writes fiction in her spare time.
Alexander Brooks is the Education Manager (and Official Spider Killer and Wildlife Removal Expert, aka Lizard Catcher) at the Gaston County Museum of Art & History in Dallas, NC. A professionally trained artist and costumer, Alex actually began his career in forensics and law enforcement before switching to the museum field 18 years ago. Having served in almost every department of the field, he enjoys using his unique perspective to create well rounded, immersive experiences in both award-winning exhibits and programs.
Alex currently lives in Gastonia and can usually be found seeking out new street art and food experiences with his 14 year-old son, Wren, or trying to convince his director that going kayaking in the middle of the day qualifies as work. (It totally does.)
Shannon White holds a B.A. in History from the University of Southern California, an M.A. from the University of Chicago in archaeology, and a graduate certificate in Museum Studies from the George Washington University with a focus on Collections Management. In her past life, she was the Keeper of the Near Eastern Section for the Penn Museum in Philadelphia and most recently held the position of Head of Collections and Exhibitions Management at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Charlotte, NC.
During her 20+ year career, she’s had the opportunity to travel and work with both art and historical collections and is thrilled to be a part of an organization which engages in bringing both aspects to enrich communities. She has a love of all things historical, the older the better (but loves art too!) and is passionate about museums as a place of community and storytelling.
In her non-working hours, she likes to bake, go for the occasional run, head to the North Carolina beaches or mountains, or just read a good book!
Pat Rudisill is delighted to be at the Museum! She’s excited to put her experience as a patron and former board member to use in growing community support. When not at the Museum, Pat enjoys being on the tennis court, working in the garden, volunteering with Preservation Gastonia, and traveling with her husband, Jere, to visit her sons John and Will.
Emily May serves as the Office Manager for the Gaston County Museum of Art & History, bringing more than a decade of experience in Gaston County Government, a passion for history, and a healthy appreciation for a good Mexican meal to her role. Originally raised in a small farm town in Guilford County, North Carolina, Emily’s roots run deep in the traditions, stories, and history of the state. During her junior year of high school, she and her family relocated to Dallas, North Carolina — where she has continued to put down roots and become an active member of the Gaston County community. Emily holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Maryland and has been a North Carolina Notary Public since 2013. She began her career with Gaston County Government as the Office Manager for Parks, Recreation & Tourism, a position she has held for the last 11 years. During that time, she has become known for keeping offices organized, solving problems, supporting staff, and somehow managing to keep everything moving even when there were more moving parts than anyone had planned for.
Throughout her career with the County, Emily has had the opportunity to serve on numerous boards and committees, including the Employee Advisory Committee, Food and Provisions Committee, and Finance Liaison Committee. These experiences have allowed her to work alongside people from across the organization and gain a broader appreciation for the many individuals who help make Gaston County a great place to live, work, and explore.
Emily’s transition to the Gaston County Museum of Art & History is a particularly fitting chapter in her career. She has always had a genuine love for history, genealogy, and ancestry and enjoys helping people discover the connections between their own families and the past. For Emily, history isn’t just about dates, names, and old buildings — it’s about the people, stories, places, and unexpected connections that make the past come alive.
Outside of work, Emily’s favorite role is simply being with her family. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Richard, and their children, Sam and Lottie. When she’s not working, you can usually find her thrifting, playing bingo, painting, or heading off on a day-trip adventure with friends. Whether she is helping preserve the past, keeping the present organized, or planning her next adventure, Emily brings enthusiasm, humor, curiosity, and a genuine love for her community to everything she does.
Kent Hester was born in Lumberton, NC (since his hometown of Bladenboro was too small to have a hospital) and spent his first three years of life in the “Mother of Counties” (Bladen County) in the southeastern part of North Carolina. At age three, he and his family relocated to Gastonia where he grew up attending the Gaston County public schools of Clay Street Elementary, Ashley Junior High and Hunter Huss High School. Following high school graduation, Kent graduated from the College of Textiles at North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Management.
He enjoyed a nearly 35-year career interning for various textile companies and working for the College of Textiles at NC State University, where he retired as Director of Student & Career Services. Following retirement, Kent returned to Gastonia, where he has enjoyed traveling, gardening, remodeling a 1913 family home, helping his parents and serving at his church.
Kent has always been interested in history, but more specifically, North Carolina and Gaston County history, and even more specifically, textile history in Gaston County and North Carolina. He has served as a Museum Guide since March of 2020.
Christian Gassaway was born and raised in Dallas, North Carolina. Following graduation from North Gaston High School, Christian enlisted in the U. S. Navy as an aircraft ordnanceman, and was stationed in Lemoore, California.
After an honorable discharge, and seven years of living on the west coast, Christian decided to move back to be closer to his family and hometown in Gaston County. Currently enrolled at Central Piedmont Community College, he plans to ultimately obtain a Bachelor degree in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
In his free time, Christian enjoys playing music, fishing, and stalking the various taco trucks in the area.
Kate MacPherson was born in Charlotte, NC, and shortly after relocated to Fort Mill, SC, where she was raised. Following high school graduation, Kate attended the College of Charleston Honors College, graduating in 2024 with a B.A. in Arts Management. While there, she conducted research on museum education in the 21st century, which she believes should be all about connecting with the community.
When not working at the Gaston County Museum, Kate also works as a Guest Services Associate at the Mint Museum. At both museums, you’ll usually find her chatting at the front desk with anyone who will listen. She loves to share her excitement for art and history with visitors and is always happy to answer the “weird” questions. In her spare time, Kate loves to practice yoga and binge watch tv while crocheting.
