Celebrate the heritage of Butler with music, games, exhibits and food! Learn why the town was moved and meet some of the former residents.

Museum Open 9:30 am-9:30 pm

According to legend, Daniel Boone was one of the first to enter what would later be called Butler as he traveled to Kentucky in 1769. Early in history, the settlement was known as Smith's Mill, and the town was incorporated about 1820. After the Civil War the town was renamed Butler, honoring Col. R.R. Butler, Civil War hero, statesman and politician.

The flood of 1940 was the final event which spurred the TVA to begin work on the long discussed building of the world's tallest earth dam.

As TVA began to purchase more property needed for the project, residents were forced to search for new homes and get ready for the move. In an effort to keep some of the town intact, two McQueen farms in Cobbs Creek community were divided into 130 lots and sold at auction.

In all, about 400 families from Butler and approximately 600 from surrounding areas were displaced when the 40,000 acres were flooded by the TVA. The gates of Watauga Dam closed in December, 1948, to forever cover the picturesque little town of Old Bulter.

In 1999 a museum dedicated to the preservation of memories of the original town was constructed on property deeded to Butler Ruritan Club and Watauga Academy Alumni Association by Selma "Babe" Curtis. The facility was build to resemble the Old Butler Depot with the work being done by inmates of Northeast Correctional Facility with supervision by foremen fro Shouns Lumber Company. Materials were supplied by Larry Shoun, Shouns Lumber Company.

Artifacts from the old town, including memorabilia of Watauga Academy High School have been donated by former residents and their heirs who are determined to save the history of the beloved little town.

As you enter through the double doors, you will see to your right the evidence of how Butler became a thriving place through sawmilling, railroading, and farming. Contents gathered from many different families make up the Victorian parlor just to your left; next door is the general store, then walk down main street towards the picture of 'the boy with a wagon;, turn left at the Old Butler post office, which contains the original mail boxes, (some former residents can still remember their box combinations and open them), then you will stop by the Blue Bird tEa Room with the friendly faces of Mr. and Mrs. Neatherly smiling from the window. To your right an Indian artifacts display, then Civil War, and items from the beloved high school, Watauga Academy.

Turn the corner and you will see photographs of townspeople, churches, and Kyle Stout's barber shop where almost all children got their first haircut. The contents of the barber shop are the originals- even to the razors, mugs, brushes, etc.

Items from Whiting's Lumber Company, photographs of the lumber camp, trains , etc. are there. Also, two windows from the Methodist Church, along with the original pulpit and photographs are displayed.

A large map indicates where townspeople and surrounding sites were located; many photographs taken and items collected during the drawdown of the lake in 1983 are displayed.

The Butler and Watauga Valley Heritage Museum was presented The Award of Excellence by the TEnnessee Association of Museums for the year 2002 at their meeting in Nashville in April 2003. The museum is open 1:00 to 4:00 SAturdays and Sundays and other times by calling Anna Dugger at 423-768-2432 or Judith Helms 423-768-2911. Special tours are welcome.

Location: Hwy 67, 17 miles west of Mountain City, 35 miles from Boone on US 421; from Hampton, approximately 17 miles on Hwy 67 and 321.