25th Anniversary Celebration!
telling our story. preserving our history. inspiring generations.
Join us on Saturday, May 24, 2025, as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Museum of Butler, TN! For a quarter of a century, we have honored the resilient people who called Old Butler and Watauga Valley home for generations and told the incredible story of the "town that wouldn't drown!"

about the event
Our 25th Anniversary Celebration has been specially created to include activities and organizations that embrace the culture and heritage of our wonderful valley! The day will be filled with live music and entertainment, a vendor fair featuring regional artists, craftsmen, nonprofit organizations, historical groups, and regional authors. Enjoy delicious concessions by the Butler Ruritan.
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LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FEATURING:
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Roan Street Ramblers | Young at Heart Square Dance Club | Magician Dillon Williams | Pythagoras Bluegrass with Headliners: Tim White & Troublesome Hollow
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We have over $2,000 in door prizes! Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5, 12 for $10, or get 20 tickets when you sign up for an annual museum membership for a $25 donation. Your membership is good all season long! Proceeds will help fund our museum operating costs and improvement projects.
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Visit the Stout store for a free RC Cola, Moon Pie, and a friendly game of checkers! Doris Stam will be our featured guest as she signs copies of her new book, D.D. Dougherty, Lillie Dougherty and the Early Years of Appalachian State.
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​Make sure you get your photos taken by Dan Cullinane at the horse carriage!
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​Admission to the event and museum is free.
Parking at the museum is reserved for our guests with mobility issues. Free parking is available within a short walk to the museum.
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Please bring your own chairs and your dancing shoes!
meet our featured authors

Doris Perry Stam
D.D. Dougherty, Lillie Dougherty and the Early Years of Appalachian State

Ralph E. Lentz, II
W.R. Trivett, Appalachian Pictureman: Photographs of a Bygone Time
visit our vendor fair
Butler Ruritans
Butler VFD
ACTION Coalition
Doris Stam, Author & Historian
Little Doe Church
Daughters of American Revolution
Johnson County Historical Society
Beech Mountain Historical Society
Roan Mountain State Park
Sycamore Shoals
B Carroll Reece Museum
Mountain City VFW Post 6908
VFW Auxiliary
Kyte Family & Descendants Tent
Ralph Lentz, Author & Historian
American Legion (Honor Guard)
Shady Valley Festival of Quilts
Shady Valley Quilts of Valor
Boy Scouts of America
Axe Throwing / Ruritans
Johnson County Longterm Recovery
Tennessee Mountain Arts
Haley Henson, Artist
Young at Heart Square Dancing
Ginny's Custom Creations
Jean Schenley, Artist
Sugar Grove Church
run of show
performance start times are approximate​
door prize drawings at 4pm - main stage
win great door prizes
We have over $2,000 in door prizes! Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5, 12 for $10, or get 20 tickets when you sign up for an annual museum membership for a $25 donation. Your membership is good all season long! Proceeds will help fund our museum operating costs and improvement projects.
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Door prize drawings: 4:00pm from Main Stage. You do not need to be present to win.
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CASH | CHECKS | CREDIT | DEBIT GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED
TN Sunrise Quilt
Butler Depot Weekend Getaway
"Carter County History Book"
"Dry Hill & Crackers Neck-Stout Branch" Book Set
$50 Gift Certificate from Mountain View Nursery
$50 Gift Certificate from Captain Jim's
Lunch for 2 from Suba's
Full-day Kayak Rental at Cove Ridge Marina
2 Tickets - Fall Cup Race at Bristol Motor Speedway
Custom Porch Swing from Shoun Lumber
2 Tickets to Merlefest
4 Tickets to Tweetsie Railroad
2 Rickets to Hands On Museum
Know Better Coffee Gift Basket