Do you know much about the history of Cleveland County? A new exhibit coming to the Kings Mountain Historical Museum will allow visitors to learn about the dramatic social, economic and political changes that occurred in our county during the 1920s. Titled "Great Gatsby: Cleveland County in the Roaring Twenties," the exhibit will be on display June 17 - October 14, 2017, at the museum, located at 100 E. Mountain St., Kings Mountain.
"In the 1920s, Cleveland County experienced an economic boom and bust, the heyday of the textile mills and the birth of the political engine known as the Shelby Dynasty," says Adria Focht, museum director and curator. "Improved education, healthcare, technology and transportation systems also came during this decade."
But some of these positive changes created unrest, as the county struggled to adjust to all of the rapid changes. "There were violent disputes over labor rights, and the county also experienced the racial inequity of the Jim Crow system during the 1920s," says Focht. "Visitors to the exhibit will be able to see how all of these changes were reflected in the clothing, the music, the dances, the slang and the products of the era."
Children and families interested in learning more about how the "roaring twenties" fit into American history will want to mark the exhibit's opening Saturday, June 17, on their calendar. On this day, the museum will host "Roaring Twenties Program for Children & Families" at 2 p.m.
During the program, Gaston County Museum staff members Kelly Mason and Regan Brooks will teach participants different dances from the 1800s to today and will discuss how fashion, music, dancing and even social interaction have changed over time.
"The program will last for about one hour, and it will involve...surprises," says Focht. There will also be a make-and-take flapper headband craft for the kids. All ages are welcome, and admission is free.
For more information about the Roaring Twenties Program or about the Great Gatsby exhibit, visit the museum's website at
www.kingsmountainmuseum.org, or find them on Facebook by searching for "Kings Mountain Historical Museum."

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Community First Media