The Rankin Museum of American Heritage

The Rankin Museum of American Heritage

The Rankin Museum of American Heritage
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles29 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
5
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Adam M
Easton, PA18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Solo
I came specifically for the exhibit about Andre the Giant, and found that wasn't the most interesting stuff the museum had to offer! Some of the artifacts, particularly the Native American collection, included pieces I haven't seen anything like before, including at the Smithsonian! A truly remarkable collection for such a small town. Definitely worth the time to visit if you're in the Charlotte area.
Written 25 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leslie T
Pinehurst, NC340 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2018 • Couples
My second visit was just as impressive as my first. With the upcoming HBO special on Andre the Giant, I recommend to all in the area and those heading to the beach from the north to make the stop to this gem of a museum. They have great memorabilia of Andre and lots of very interesting artifacts....like the state version of the Smithsonian. Very affordable and worth every penny.
Written 24 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Love2getaround
North Carolina24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2013 • Friends
Tiny Ellerbe (1,000 population) hosts the Rankin Museum of American Heritage, which displays artifacts from the Americas, mounted animals from Africa, and pottery, implements, and industrial, farm, and home equipment from earlier times in the region. Building on the lifetime collection of Dr. Pressley Rankin, Jr., supplemented through purchases and donations, the museum features impressively arranged displays in a 5,000 square foot set of rooms, many with murals as backgrounds.

Areas of interest include geology, paleontology, and Southern heritage, the latter featuring local history, and displays of pottery, early industry, farming, and rural handicrafts. There's something here for everybody. There is a modest gift shop. It's not far from Southern Pines (30 miles) and Charlotte (80 miles), and accessible over good roads.
Written 24 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

waxapahaw
Troy, NC18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The American Indian collection is amazing, spanning North, Central, and South America. This museum also has a nice collection of fossils, minerals, mounted animals, and a unique display on the naval stores industry. Great for young and old alike!
Written 8 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

stofficer
Galena, OH42 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Family
Very pleasantly surprised. Was a private collection but now a small museum. It's eclectic from a room with Andre The Giant memorabilia (he owned a farm in Ellerbe) to Native American artifacts, geological exhibit and even a 700 year old canoe. We found it fun and engaging. About 4 bucks to get in.
Written 24 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LBSacramento
Sacramento10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Solo
Local benefactors contributed much of the collection from around the US including Native American artifacts. Local families have space featuring 19th century life and times. Well worth a visit of a couple hours. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Gift shop on-site. Easily reached a half block off Hwy 220, the main street through Ellerbe.
Written 15 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vudujuju
Timbuktu, Mali53 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2016 • Couples
I found this place by accident whilst looking for something interesting to do on a recent visit to the area. I thought I'd just pop in after a cold day of stomping around the pee dee river, not expecting too much. Wow, this small, quiet museum is so underrated! It was lovely and warm, the toilets ("bathrooms") were clean and I loved the displays and how they related to the area. I was particularly impressed with the rocks, arrow heads and pipes as well as the old still and the old kitchen.

The museum appears to be self guided but was easy to do, it had a good flow and ample information within the displays.

I only have 1 criticism, the front desk was manned by a lethargic, disinterested young woman who had the tv on and read a book the whole time we were there. She was indifferent to my enthusiasm and questions about the merchandise being sold and couldnt wait to get back to her book. If I worked in such a wonderful place, I'd be beaming from ear to ear.

I'll definitely be back as there was so much I didn't get to take-in, in the hour or so that I had before it closed for the day.
Written 1 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

2Perky
Pinehurst, NC106 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2014 • Friends
I had "heard" that the Rankin Museum was quite amazing, but we'd never made the trip until today. We were shocked, as we saw things we've never seen in larger, more prestigious museums. Here we were in this small town, 30 minutes from home, with no other visitors, looking at an extraordinary collection. Extraordinary, beautifully displayed, for $4.00 each. We (my husband and I took my 83 year old uncle) all found surprise after surprise. We were like kids pointing out this and that to each other. What a gem!!! I have a new place to take visitors and look forward to going back again and again. Truly we just couldn't absorb it all. Wonderful visit.
Written 1 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FlaJoe1956
Bradenton, FL4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
The museum has a really interesting collection and the director does a great job bringing everything to life! The Andre the Giant exhibit and history was unexpected and fascinating. Well worth the visit if you are in or passing through the area, head there before these small local heritage place disappers
Written 16 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HJR1960
Temple, GA925 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019 • Couples
This small museum begins with dinosaurs and ends in present day South Carolina. The collection is appropriately displayed and labeled. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there is a section devoted to Andre the Giant, who lives here in Ellerbe.
Written 10 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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THE RANKIN MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HERITAGE (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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