Events
During Arts Weekend, Shelton House will host Haywood County artists in the historic Shelton Barn, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of our local community. Shelton House and the Museum of North Carolina Craft and History will also be open for free, self-guided tours, with additional exhibitions on view on the lower level of the Barn.
HAYWOOD COUNTY CRAFT AND HISTORY TRAIL PLANNING MEETING
Please join us for a planning session for the Haywood County Craft & History Trail. We hope to see you there. See details below.
COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION
You are invited to share your thoughts on the future of the Shelton House as we prepare for the 50th Anniversary of the Museum of NC Craft and History. See details below.
Shelton House Historic Homes Tour
October 11
Tour #1: 1:00 PM-3:30 PM
Tour #2: 3:00 PM-5:30 PM
Purchase Tickets:
Explore the architecture, history, and stories of these special places while supporting the preservation and programs of Shelton House.
New this year, at the conclusion of each of the two tour rotations, participants are invited to gather at Shelton House and the Shelton Barn for a reception, along with the opportunity to explore the museum and its exhibitions.
Tour proceeds support the preservation, exhibitions, and community programs of Shelton House.
PURCHASING TICKETS
Each of the two tours have four groups that rotate through the homes on different schedules.
If you plan on attending with friends, you must purchase tickets from the same group.
For questions or assistance email info@shelton-house.org.
Tour booklets will be available for each participant at the first stop on your tour. Instructions will be emailed following the purchase of tickets.
Christmas Through the Years
Holiday Craft Market – Artist Guidelines
Shelton House – Museum of North Carolina Craft and History
December 11–12, 2026 | Shelton Barn
The Shelton House – Museum of North Carolina Craft and History invites local and regional craft artists to apply for the Christmas Through the Years Holiday Craft Market, held December 11–12 in the historic Shelton Barn.
The Holiday Craft Market is part of Christmas Through the Years, a festive weekend celebrating the traditions, creativity, and joy of the holiday season. Throughout the weekend, the Shelton House campus will come alive with holiday activities for visitors of all ages.
In addition to the Craft Market, the weekend will feature a beautifully decorated historic Shelton House, guided and self-guided home tours, candlelight tours and receptions, a special holiday exhibition from the museum collection, children’s activities, a holiday photo booth, visits with Santa, luminaries, and other seasonal experiences.
The Holiday Craft Market will offer visitors an opportunity to shop for distinctive, handcrafted gifts while supporting artists and makers.
Market Hours
Friday, December 11
Noon–6:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Artists are expected to participate during all scheduled market hours.
Artist Setup
Artists may set up during either or both of the following times:
Thursday, December 10
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Friday, December 11
10:00 a.m.–Noon
All booths must be completely set up and ready for visitors by Noon on Friday, December 11.
Breakdown
Breakdown will begin immediately following the close of the market at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12.
Artists are asked not to begin packing or dismantling their displays before the market closes.
Artist Eligibility & Work
The Christmas Through the Years Holiday Craft Market is open to local and regional craft artists and makers, with an emphasis on work appropriate for holiday decorating and gift giving.
We are seeking thoughtfully designed, handcrafted work that reflects creativity, craftsmanship, and the spirit of the season. Work does not have to be specifically Christmas-themed; however, artists are encouraged to offer items that are well suited for holiday gifts or seasonal use.
All work displayed and sold should be created or designed by the participating artist. Commercially manufactured or mass-produced merchandise is not appropriate for this market.
Booth Spaces
All artist booths will be located indoors in the Shelton Barn.
Each artist will receive approximately 100 square feet of display space.
The Shelton House can provide a 6” table and chair (s) upon request. Artists are responsible for providing their own display fixtures, table coverings, signage, and other materials necessary to create an attractive and professional booth.
Fees
There is no application or registration fee.
Artists selected to participate will be charged a $50 booth fee.
Payment information and additional market details will be provided with acceptance notifications.
Application & Selection
Space in the Holiday Craft Market is limited. Applications will be reviewed following the close of the submission period, and participating artists will be selected based on the quality and craftsmanship of the work, suitability for the market, and the overall balance and variety of work represented.
Application Deadline: October 9, 2026
Artist Notifications: October 12, 2026
How to Apply
Please email the following information to chair@shelton-house.org by October 9:
Artist name and business name, if applicable
Mailing address
Phone number
Preferred email address
Brief description of the work you propose to display and sell
3–5 images representative of the work that will be offered at the market
Please include Christmas Through the Years Craft Market in the email subject line.
About Christmas Through the Years
Christmas Through the Years celebrates the holidays through the history, craft, and traditions that have brought generations together. The historic Shelton House and Barn will provide the backdrop for a weekend filled with handmade craft, decorated rooms, special exhibitions, family activities, Santa visits, candlelight tours, and opportunities to gather and celebrate the season.
The Holiday Craft Market is an important part of that experience, connecting visitors directly with artists and makers while encouraging the tradition of giving something handmade for the holidays.
We look forward to welcoming artists and visitors to Shelton House for a memorable weekend celebrating craft, history, community, and the joy of the holiday season.
Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend
The Shelton House – Museum of North Carolina Craft and History invites the public to celebrate the region's rich artistic and cultural traditions during the 2026 Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend, taking place Saturday and Sunday, August 8–9, on the historic Shelton House campus in Waynesville.
Now in its eighth year, Blue Ridge Heritage Weekend has become one of Western North Carolina's premier celebrations of traditional and contemporary Appalachian craft. This year's festival introduces several exciting additions as the museum celebrates the 150th anniversary of the historic Shelton House.
Visitors will enjoy an expanded festival experience featuring more than a juried arts and crafts fair. New for 2026 is the Haywood Market, located inside the historic Shelton Barn, showcasing Haywood County artists and makers in a dedicated indoor marketplace. The market provides visitors with an opportunity to discover locally made artwork and handcrafted goods while supporting artists from throughout the county.
Throughout the weekend, the museum will also offer free self-guided tours of both the Shelton House and Barn, allowing visitors to explore newly reinstalled exhibitions highlighting North Carolina craft traditions, Appalachian history, and the stories of the families, artists, and makers who have shaped the region.
Festival attendees will experience live craft demonstrations presented by skilled artisans, offering opportunities to observe traditional techniques and learn about the craftsmanship that continues to define the Southern Appalachian region. Demonstrations will complement the work of exhibiting artists while providing an engaging educational experience for visitors of all ages.
The festival will also welcome community nonprofit organizations that enrich the quality of life throughout Haywood County. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about local organizations, volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and community resources while enjoying the weekend's activities.
Additional attractions will include live music, local food vendors, family-friendly activities, artist demonstrations, and opportunities to meet and purchase work directly from many of the region's finest artists and craftspeople.
America 250 - Pioneer Heritage Festival
The Shelton House is honored to host the Pioneer Heritage Festival for America’s 250th anniversary on our grounds! Admission to this event is free. On the museum grounds you will be able to enjoy live demonstrations, family-oriented events, food trucks, and exhibits. For more information on this incredible event, click here!
Thank you very much to the Haywood County America 250 NC Committee for this opportunity!
Mountain View Garden Club Plant Sale
The Mountain View Garden Club will be holding their annual plant sale fundraiser at the Haywood Historic Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 16th! We are so grateful to Mountain View Garden Club for maintaining several gardens on the Shelton House grounds and we hope you will go out to show them some support. To visit their website, click here.
150th Anniversary Fundraiser
For the Shelton House’s 150th anniversary, we are hosting a one-night fundraiser with speakers, cocktails, and dinner!
For tickets, click here: DONATE & TICKETS
Click VIEW EVENT below for more details about this incredible event opportunity!
Appalachian True Heritage Festival
We are pleased to be involved in this two-day celebration of mountain heritage!
Celebrate the traditions of Appalachia with a weekend full of culture, crafts, and music! Main Street will be closed to traffic, creating a festival atmosphere featuring live music, vendors, demonstrators, and more.
The Shelton House Museum of North Carolina Craft and History will present a special exhibition of quilts and coverlets during the Appalachian True Heritage Festival on April 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the festival is free.
This featured display will complement the numerous historic and contemporary textile examples currently on view at the museum, further highlighting the rich quilting traditions of our region. In addition to selections from the museum’s own collection, the exhibition will include works by community quilt guilds and quilters, showcasing both time-honored patterns and contemporary interpretations.
The exhibition will be held at the Ministry Activity Center at First Baptist Church on Main Street in Waynesville. The Shelton House itself will also be open during the festival, where additional quilts and coverlets from the museum’s collection will be on view, offering visitors an expanded opportunity to experience the artistry, skill, and heritage of Appalachian quilting.