Mt.Airy Has History on Display: A General Store to Fire Engines America's Favorite Small Town 

"The History and Culture of Mount Airy: A Tour of the Regional History Museum, General Store, and Fire Engines, Exploring the Manan Eastern Railroad, Musical Heritage, and Hauntings" 🏛 The video showcases a visit to the Regional History Museum in Mount ARA, also known as Mayberry, with a focus on the General Store section. 00:00 Introduction to the museum and its exhibits 00:00 Mention of the first three fire engines in the town 00:13 Introduction of Mr. Mark Brown, the initiator of Ghost Stories in the town 00:55 Introduction of Mr. Tom Perry, an author and town historian 01:12 Exploration of the museum's gift shop 01:54 Transition to the General Store section of the museum 02:23 Explanation of the history and origin of the General Store exhibit 03:00 Showcasing of items available at a traditional General Store 03:29 🛍 The video features a tour of a general store and museum, showcasing various artifacts and exhibits including the 'Stump Buster', a Civil War exhibit, and a railroad exhibit. 03:37 The shopkeeper would typically pick up merchandise for customers to view. 03:37 The 'Stump Buster' is highlighted as a unique item in the store, used for blowing up stumps. 03:56 The Civil War exhibit features artifacts and information about Jeb Stewart, a major general in the war. 05:17 Jeb Stewart was born in the area and had a significant role in the Civil War. 05:24 The railroad exhibit showcases the history of the railroad in the area, including a resort hotel called White Sulphur Springs. 06:41 🚂 The video showcases the history of the Manan Eastern railroad, including its impact on the town and its interactive museum exhibit. 07:08 Manan Eastern railroad hauled lumber and brought people to the hotel in Virginia. 07:08 The museum exhibit includes a recreation of Main Street and a remote controlled train layout. 07:43 The town of Mount AR was known for textiles, furniture, and Victorian architecture. 08:20 The museum aims to provide an interactive experience for visitors, including sound effects and electronic control. 09:14 The recreation of a small town's telegraph office and railroad station is part of the exhibit. 09:58 The bottom floor of the museum features displays on railroad tools and the Quarry. 10:27 🚒 The video is a tour of a museum showcasing the first three fire engines of a town, including their history and interactive features. 10:47 The museum is located in a town on top of a granite rock, with the lowest level serving as the museum's 'basement'. 10:47 The museum houses the first three fire engines of the town, including the 1917 model which was restored after being sold and brought back home. 10:59 The second fire truck from 1926 and the 1946 fire engine for larger cities are also on display, with the latter being turned into an interactive exhibit. 11:44 The 1946 fire engine is a special kind for larger cities, with no roof to allow firemen to look up and see where the smoke is coming from. 12:21 The museum staff had to find a recording of the engine running since the vehicles are permanently displayed and emptied of fluids due to fire code regulations. 13:04 The 1946 fire engine has 12 cylinders with dual ignition on each side, ensuring it can start when needed. 14:31 🎵 The video explores the unique history and culture of a town, including its firefighting equipment, local heroes, radio station, and Andy Griffith's personal history. 14:55 The town has a unique firefighting equipment with a very unique sound and distribution system. 14:55 The town has a historical fear of fire due to a past incident in 1892. 15:28 The town has modern fire engines and a large hook and ladder due to insurance ratings and the desire to protect old buildings. 15:48 The Hometown Heroes section in the town's museum features local and internationally known figures. 16:07 The town is known for its old-time String Band music and Bluegrass, with a radio station dedicated to preserving regional music. 16:35 The museum also features an exhibit about Andy Griffith's personal history and musical talent. 17:29 The town is known for its church music, old-time String Band music, and Bluegrass. 18:01 🎶 The video discusses the musical heritage of Mount Airy, including its influence on artists like Donna Fargo. 18:22 Mount Airy's radio station preserved old music genres and influenced many locals to pursue music professionally. 18:22 Donna Fargo, a Grammy-winning artist, hails from Mount Airy and often returns to her hometown. 19:03 The museum in Mount Airy features Donna Fargo's stage costumes and Grammy award. 20:45 Donna Fargo's generosity and connection to her hometown are highlighted, as she donated pictures for a photo book about Mount Airy. 21:06 🎶 The video explores the history of Mount AR, including moonshining, bluegrass music, and local instrument-making traditions. 21:38 The area is known for moonshining and has an exhibit dedicated to it. 21:38 Donna Fargo came from a family of moonshiners before pursuing a music career in Nashville. 21:57 The Easter Brothers, pioneers of bluegrass gospel music, originated from Mount AR. 22:11 The Easter Brothers started as a gospel band with early radio performances involving prayer for the audience. 22:27 The Easter Brothers wrote hundreds of gospel songs, some of which became well-known. 22:47 The local luthier tradition in the area involves hand-building instruments from the wood of the hills. 24:18 The history of Mount AR includes transitioning from horse and buggy to driving model T's and model A's. 24:47 The video features interactive exhibits, including trying to start a Model T. 24:53 🏛 A tour of a regional history museum with interesting exhibits and reported hauntings. 25:39 The museum features exhibits on local history, including medical, education, and Mr. Merritt's office. 25:39 The museum also hosts live theater and has a black box theater that can fit 70 people. 26:35 Mr. Merritt's office is preserved with his original desk, typewriters, and notes on the walls. 27:55 The building was one of the first in Mount ARA to have its own telephone and is rumored to be haunted. 28:17 Visitors have reported encountering the friendly spirit of Mr. Meritt in various places in the museum. 28:39 👻 The video discusses Mr. Tom's books, ghost tours, and the hours of operation at Mount Ary Museum. 28:58 Mr. Tom's books are available in every store 28:58 Mr. Mark Brown leads ghost tours 29:05 The museum is open from 10:00 to 5:00 every day 29:26 The museum can be found online as Mount Ary Museum Regional history 29:34 The museum offers haunted Mayberry tours 29:41 Thanks to Mr. Tom Perry for the background information 29:49 Goodbye message from the host 29:56 The host advises against showing up at midnight 30:01

This was soooo good, love learning the history of Mount Airy. As many times as we have been ,we have never been in that Museum. Now can't wait to go back for that purpose. Loving all these Mount Airy Videos.

The stump buster is what we called a powder wedge. Farmers in this area used to split flue wood with them to cure tobacco with. You would drive it in a log, unscrew the plug, fill it with black powder, insert a fuse, light it and run. When it went off, the explosion would come out the hollow, tapered end into the log and split it open. I have Grandpa's and a great uncle of mine was nearly killed once using one. The local hardware store sold them along with the blasting powder. I remember H.F. Wright's Store in Francisco where the general store display came from.

Enjoyed the video John. That museum has grown with many new exhibits since I was there after it first opened. Thanks for the tour. You and Jodie be safe and God bless.

I'm really enjoying the tour of Mt. Airy and seeing the real people from Andy's hometown that he based the classic characters from Mayberry on his tv series and the businesses as well I'm 59 now and I have watched every episode of the Andy Griffith Show and even its spin off Mayberry RFD this was really great Thank You very much and Merry Christmas.🎄🎀⛄🎀⛄🎀🎄

Another good video John THANK you for this one Frank from montana....

Very nice! The history of various aspects of real life is very intriguing. Thank you for sharing.

Very good yall stay blessed from Brunswick County.

I absolutely love this episode / vid. The museum is incredible

John, your video's just keep getin better! Thank you

Great video!!! I enjoyed very much thank you.

Thanks John, enjoyed it

Great video!!!🧡

great video!

Great video!

Awesome virtual tour.

Awesome!

Enjoyed