#11, The Mitford Museum

 February 18, 2022

The Mitford Museum and Happy Endings Bookstore was really the main point of my trip.  All the rest of the adventure was just bonus.  I have read all the Mitford books through so many times, it’s sometimes hard for me to remember that the people that populate the books exist only in a fictitious world.  Jan Karon has poured herself into creating the wit, wisdom, love, and character that make up Fr Tim, Dooley, Miss Sadie, Uncle Billy, and so many more dear ones.  She has finished her writing career but brought the world of Mitford to a beautiful museum for us to enjoy.

Housed in Jan Karon’s old brick grade school building in Hudson, NC, the museum is about a half hour drive from the town of Blowing Rock, which was the inspiration for the town of Mitford.  February, with no snow, and no brilliant fall color to draw the hoards of “leaf peepers” is a quiet time for Mitford.  When I arrived late morning and let myself in, I found the place nearly deserted.  In Happy Endings, museum assistant, Ann, was quietly working on a 1,000-piece puzzle of the map of Mitford, amidst stacks of Mitford paperback books.  After I paid my admission, Ann helped me poke my pin in the US map, before setting out on a personal tour.  It appears that the majority of visitors do come from quite close by, but there were a surprising number from Texas as well. 

Perhaps it was just the lack of crowds, but the museum was such a peaceful place for me.  The first room that you tour was previously her childhood classroom.  This portion of the museum depicts her family history, her childhood, her early marriage, and the time before she came to know the Lord.  Did you know that she got married at age 14?

Food figures largely in the lives of Mitfordians.  From “silver queen” sweetcorn sent up from the valley, to sugar free cookies at Sweet Stuff, Avis’ homemade sausage or specially selected cuts of meat, to Cynthia’s bouillabaisse.  And of course, Esther Bolick’s OMC.  Food is well represented in the museum.  When her dear grandmother no longer needed her well-loved, well-used biscuit pan, Jan had it framed to hang on her wall.

Kitchen Items From Her Childhood.  Biscuit Pan in Black Frame

The second room on the tour is of her life after she became a Christian, and a writer of novels.  It contains her desk, her typewriter, framed copies of her book covers, and much more.  One interesting thing I learned is that Jan herself comes into the museum often and enjoys changing up the displays.  Where now, quirky, spunky Rose Watson’s clothes were on a mannequin, last week it was Cynthia’s turquoise wedding suit. 

Jan's Desk, Typewriter and Framed Book Covers

More Baking Things from Home and a Quilt Made by Her Fans

Jan's daughter, Candace Freeland, was with Jan when this nativity was discovered in a local antique shop.  Candace suggested that Jan purchase it, and have Fr Tim paint it.  It was then painted by a local artist, and became the inspiration for Fr Tim's labor of love in "Shepherds Abiding".  Candace passed away just a few months before the museum's grand opening in September 2021.  She was a well known photo journalist and did some of the cover photography for Jan's book cover designs.  

The Nativity Set That Was Painted During, "Shepherds Abiding"

Hand Painted Nativity from Shepherds Abiding

One corner contained many of the accoutrements of the Episcopalian Church.  Fr Tim’s vestments, communion wine, song board and so on.

A Representation of the Episcopal Church

Happy Endings is filled with wisteria fragrance from candles and, if I recall correctly, drawer liner.  It was pleasant, though perhaps a bit overpowering.  Unlike many giftshops, Happy Endings is almost exclusively Mitford.  Only Mitford books are sold, and other merchandise is quite specifically Mitford items or something with a strong connection.  Many of our favorite characters are available as Christmas ornaments, and favorite sayings as magnets. 

Happy Endings Bookstore and Giftshop

Mitford Ornaments

This is just a small taste of what awaits visitors to the museum.  To show more would spoil the fun for those who plan to visit someday.  And alas, there is no Sweet Stuff Bakery where Winney Ivy whips up an OMC using the recipe she bought off Esther Bolik!