Stout General Store
Opening

The Old W.S Stout’s General Store will be open this season on the museum grounds.  This store was actually an operating store in Old Butler, moved to the corner of Pine Orchard Rd. and Highway 67 when TVA flooded Old Butler and now it has a permanent home at the museum.

Did Butler, Tennessee
really drown?

See and hear the history of Butler and Watauga Lake. The museum depicts early life and the history in the mountains, featuring artifacts from the Indians, Civil War, and home life through 1948 when the gates of Watauga Dam were closed.

The Museum tells the story of "the town that wouldn't drown" through exhibits of items saved by the residents, and by tales of former residents. Let them tell you of life in a small town in the mountains of NE Tennessee.

Walk down Main Street and peer into the General Store or see if you've received any mail at the post office.  Chat with friends at the BlueBird Tea Room or see who is getting a haircut at Stout's Barber shop. 

Virtual Tour of the Museum

Be sure to notice the photograph of Butler in 1900 and Butler at the end of 1999.

World War II Exhibit [click photo to enlarge]     As you enter the exhibit area of the museum, to the left is a mural and information about those that served in WWII from Butler and the Watauga Valley.