The Captain Charles, Jr. McDowell House at Quaker Meadows

The Captain Charles, Jr. McDowell House at Quaker Meadows, located at 119 St Marys Church Rd, Morganton, NC 28655, United States, is a captivating museum that offers a unique glimpse into American history. The name "Quaker Meadows" was bestowed upon the area by Joseph McDowell (1715-1771), who received two Crown Patents in 1749 and 1780. The earlier grant included a large meadow, which Joseph named after his home in Frederick County, Virginia.

This historic site holds significant Revolutionary War heritage as it was here, under a giant oak tree known as the Council Oak, that Joseph’s sons, Charles and Joseph McDowell, gathered the Overmountain Men on September 30, 1780. These patriot soldiers from Virginia, current-day Tennessee, and Wilkes and Surry Counties in North Carolina laid plans that led to the pivotal defeat of British Major Patrick Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain.

The house at Quaker Meadows was built in 1812 by Captain Charles McDowell, Jr. in anticipation of his marriage to his cousin, Anna McDowell. By 1850, the estate had flourished to over 1500 acres and included 52 enslaved people. The couple raised their six children and three orphaned relatives here, including Harriet Epsy, who later married Zebulon Baird Vance, a two-time Governor of North Carolina.

An exemplary model of vernacular federal style architecture, the house was constructed with bricks made on site and laid in the Flemish bond pattern on a foundation of coursed granite rubble. It features a corbelled brick cornice, tall exterior end chimneys, and flat jack arches above window and door openings. The structure follows the "Quaker" or "continental" floor plan, common in Pennsylvania and the Shenandoah Valley, with twin entries, one large room on one side of an enclosed stairway, and two rooms on the other. It stands as the oldest known brick structure in Burke County, with its handmade bricks originating from Quaker Meadows.

The parlor's elaborate mantel and wainscoting, believed to be brought from Charleston, showcase sophisticated craftsmanship. The house's wallpapers are reproductions of patterns from the 1810-1840 period, generously donated by Twigs of Venice, California.

In 1986, the house was donated to the Historic Burke Foundation by Crescent Land and Timber Corporation and has since been restored to its 1812 appearance. The detached kitchen, known as the Kistler Kitchen, has been reconstructed on its original foundation, and a charming kitchen garden at the rear of the house is maintained by the Mimosa Garden Club.

Every September, the site commemorates the historic 1780 gathering under the Council Oak with events organized by the Historic Burke Foundation, community volunteers, descendants of Burke County Revolutionary War patriots, and the Overmountain Victory Trail Association. Activities include Living History Days for Burke County 4th graders, a commemorative Crossing of the Catawba River at Greenlee Ford, and an afternoon of colonial activities at the Captain Charles McDowell, Jr. House.

Visit the Captain Charles, Jr. McDowell House at Quaker Meadows to step back in time and explore the rich tapestry of American history and heritage.