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Price of Freedom Museum

Seated, Bob Mault relies heavily on his volunteers such as Wade Edwards, on the left

and Frank Albright (right) in the Price of Freedom shirt.

The very first items that started Bob's collection- a pair of goggles and and aviator's cap from pilot who flew on submarine hunting missions off the NC coast.

A love story of a different color, the Price of Freedom Museum in China Grove is the loving project of one Bob Mault. For the last 40 years, Bob has collected military items in his gas station and only five years ago purchased a 1936 school building that had been used for storage since 1976 back to life to host students once more in his unique museum. Actually a visit to the museum is required by all fifth graders in Rowan County. He has a huge collection of uniforms-each one labeled with the name of its owner, place of service and dates of active duty. Each branch of the military has a room designated for it and both men and women's items are collected. It's Bob's goal to teach the youth of today through his American war museum about the price of freedom paid by the men and women of the armed forces who came before them as well as those who are actively serving today. "When people understand what it costs to be free, they can better understand what must be done to preserve that freedom," says Bob. He understands even though Bob was only eight years old when his four brothers were all serving in WW II.

A Navy display at the Museum.

The local military preserve units display and demonstrate their restored weapons, uniforms and field equipment and vehicles. Again, each article is accurately detailed to its era and carries an historic record. The majority of the pieces displayed in the Museum come from the surrounding community but as the public has become more aware of the Price of Freedom Museum, the collection has begun to "root itself from all across Rowan County."

Bombers over Japan in WWII.

His plan for the museum is to dedicate individual classrooms to the different branches of our military. A Navy room is finished for touring. It’s heartwarming to see a VFW and a local Lowes grocery store have sponsored the restoration of two more of his classrooms but there are many yet to do for any organization looking for a worthy project.
Bob continues to run his gas station full time and still work on his museum. He doesn’t ask for help but appreciates volunteer folks that see him working and jump right in to assist especially with mowing the six-acre site and all the painting.

He has a 25-foot American flag flying on the back side of the museum where the military vehicles are parked for events and has painted that side of the building red, white and blue.
The Museum provides three events each year in which the public can do an open walk through the museum and experience both the uniform collection and the local military vehicle preserve units in North Carolina: the Saturday before D-Day in June, Memories of Yesteryear is in September with antique tractors, cars and choral groups to entertain, and Remembrance of Pearl Harbor is the Saturday before Veterans Day in November.

You can visit the Price of Freedom Museum on Sundays from 3p to 5p and by appointment. To schedule an appointment call Bob: 704-857-7474. The Museum is located at 2420 Weaver Road in China Grove with good signage to help you find it. Admission and parking are free. Donations, both monetary and of military items are gratefully accepted to continue the museum’s growth and of course, volunteers are always welcome!

Did you know the Allied Forces dropped potato bugs on Germany as part of our strategy to win World War II?
Ask Bob to tell you the fascinating story behind how these three photos, the book above and potato bugs are related.

January/February

January 6 through March 3rd: “Winter Heat,” hot acrylic painting exhibit by Karen Breit, accompanied by live orchids, Welborn Gallery, YCAC, 336-679-2941, Yadkinville.

January 19 Ice Age, free movie hosted by the Surry Arts Council, 10a and 4p, EARLE Theatre, 336-786-7998 to register yourself or group, Mount Airy.

January 19 WII Brian Games, 1p, compete or watch, free, boost your brain power! Adults 55+, Davie Co. Sr. Center,

336-753-6230, Mocksville.

January 20 Dog-Gone Good Time Party to benefit the Dog Park at Tanglewood, 7 to 11p, 168 East Kinderton. Enjoy music, dancing, raffles, auctions, heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, & wine. Tickets: $50 per person, forsythhumane.org or call Chuck Houska, 336-419-6251, Bermuda Run.

January 21 The Great American Soup Off
will benefit the Ark Homeless Shelter, 3p, in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church on Gwyn Aveue in Elkin.
Suzanne Puckett and Leighanne Martin Wright are coordinating January’s Great American Soup Off and Phillip Lyle of Yadkin Valley General Store is sponsoring the event.
Contestants need to bring their entries already prepared, hot and steaming to dish up for the six judge panel along with a $10 registration fee and form.
To be fair, no names accompany soup samples—all entries are numbered.
Judges look for taste, ease of preparation and availability of ingredients.
Mr. Lyle will present the winner with $100 in cash.
The runner-up will receive a $50 gift certificate to Yadkin Valley General Store.
Following the judging, the public is invited to sample all the soups and vote for their favorite soup for a mere $3. Contestants often run off copies of their soup recipe to share.
To obtain a registration form contact Phillip Lyle at Yadkin Valley General Store, at 302 East Main St., 336-835-1426 or from the First Baptist Church, office hours are 9 to 5, 336-835-1998.

January 28 MESDA Seminar “Southern Longrifles & Powder Horns,” 10a to 4:30p, $65 includes lectures, materials and lunch, to register call 336-721-7360, Winston-Salem.

Sunday, February 12
Dedicated to the Ones We Love. 2 – 4 pm. Valentine Holiday music special featuring Brack & Angela Llewellyn & the NonSuch Playmakers; Gertrude Smith House, 708 North Main Street., Mt. Airy, Refreshments . Free admission.

Call 336-786-6856 or 800-576-0231.

February 17 What Caregivers Need to Know About Caring for Their Loved Ones, Dr. Jamehl Demons, Wake Forest U. School of Medicine, 1p, adults only, free, Davie Co. Sr. Center, 336-753-6230, Mocksville.

Ongoing opportunities...
The Surry Arts Council in Mount Airy offers regular programming that is either free or admission is minimal. Here is just a few of what SAC has to offer—contact the office at 336-786-7998 for additional program information.

Surry Arts Dance Program, every Monday, Andy Griffith Playhouse, ages 2 and up, 336-786-7998 for more information; • Golden Notes, Senior choral group, (55+), Tuesdays, 10a, Andy Griffith Playhouse; • Visit the Photography Club, third Tuesdays, 7p, Andy Griffith Playhouse; • Surry County Basket Makers, second Tuesdays, 6p, Andy Griffith Playhouse, Deborah Wagoner, 336-374-6530; • Youth Music Lessons, Thursdays, 5:30/fiddle, 6:15/guitar—free lessons/instrument use; • Visit weekly jam sessions, Thursdays, 7p; • Music, Mommy & Me, Fridays, 10a, Andy Griffith Playhouse, $5/class, Megan Johnson, 336-710-5537. • For a $3 ticket, you can tour the Siamese Twins Exhibit/Photo Gallery in the Andy Griffith Museum and the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall at the EARLE Theatre on Main Street, 336-786-7998.

February 24-26 Foothills Dessert Theatre, First Baptist Church of Elkin, “Curious Savage” by Brack Llewellyn, $10.

For more information call FAC
336-835-2025.

February 25 Third Annual Winter Wine Festival, noon to 6p, $20 in adv, $25 at door/souvenir glass, wine tasting, gourmet food, entertainment, Market Station, 704-984-9415, 100 Railroad St., Albemarle.

February 29 Black History Month Celebration, 10:30a, speaker:
Dr. Jamie Grant, music, RSVP by 2/22 for lunch, free, Davie Co. Sr. Center, 336-753-6230, Mocksville.

Stokes County Arts Council starts its Winter Dessert Theatre on February 4th with “Tired Souls,” Mike Wiley Productions, Walnut Cove Senior Center.

February 18 “Macbeth” by the N.C. Shakespeare Festival,
South Stokes High School.

February 25 & 26 “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Stokes County Theatre Arts Students/Justin Bulla, South Stokes High School.

March 3 “The Andrews Sisters Tribute Show,” First in Flight Entertainment, Carl Calloway American Legion Post #290.

March 17 & 18 “An Evening on the Titanic” by Nonesuch Playmakers, King Moravian Church.

Tickets for all shows: A/$14, Srs (60+)/$12, Students/$10.
For showtime details call Stokes County Arts Council, 336-593-8159, Danbury.

Sunday, March 11
“When Irish Eyes Are Smilin’”, 2 – 4 pm. St. Patrick’s Event with stories, poems, and music featuring Brack & Angela Llewellyn & the NonSuch Playmakers; Gertrude Smith House, 708 North Main Street, Mt. Airy, Refreshments. Free Admission. Call 336-786-6856 or 800-576-0231.

Saturday, March 31
Easter Eggstravaganza from 2 – 4 PM in cooperation with the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, Children ages 5 – 11 will participate in an Easter bonnet and hat workshop at the museum, parade down Main Street with the Easter Bunny to the Dr. Robert Smith Memorial Park for an Easter Egg Hunt. Call the Regional Museum at 336-786-4478 to make your reservations as space is limited to the first 30 callers. Pick up is at 4:00 PM at the Dr. Robert Smith House at 615 North Main Street.

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