July 17, 2026

Family Viewing at WCU Collections Center

Western Carolina University

Scotts Creek, NC

📖 Introduction

On July 17, 2026, descendants of Albert J. McCracken gathered for a private family viewing at Western Carolina University’s warehouse in Scotts Creek, where the A.J. McCracken Collection is housed. Family members were invited to view a selection of representative pieces from the collection, including arrowheads, celts, tomahawks, and antiques gathered by McCracken and gifted to the university for exhibition in 1975.

🏛 History of the Collection

The heart of the A.J. McCracken Collection began on Albert J. McCracken’s farm along the Pigeon River in Haywood County, North Carolina. To his family, he was “Papaw,” and the objects he gathered were not simply curiosities; they were part of the land he worked and the history beneath his feet. The farm was evidently located on or near a former Cherokee Indian reservation, and as Papaw plowed his fields, pieces of that earlier history often surfaced in the soil.

Family memories recall that he would come in from the fields and empty his pockets of pottery fragments, arrowheads, and other artifacts found while plowing. Over time, those daily discoveries grew into a substantial collection, shaped by Papaw’s connection to the farm, his respect for local history, and his careful attention to what the land revealed. The collection was given to Western Carolina University in 1975, by his widow Myrtle McCracken. This ensured that these objects would be preserved beyond the family farm and made available for future study, exhibition, and remembrance.

📸 Photo Gallery

Photo Download Links

Click here to go to Shutterfly site of the pictures from the viewing. It is recommended for easy downloading or ordering prints.

Or click here to download from a Google site devoted to McCracken family photos and folders of other documents.

🎥 Video

Enjoy a short video highlighting our family's visit to the WCU Collections Center:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Attendees

Family Member(s) Status Lunch

Attending Lunch

Gene Bryson Attended Yes

Gregg Sutton Attended Yes

Brian Briggs Attended Yes

Bradley Briggs Attended Yes

Julia Briggs & Mary Attended Yes

Elizabeth White Attended Yes

Cindy Sutton Williams Attended No

Howard Williams Attended No

Patrick Williams Attended No

Susan Briggs Parris Attended No

Stan Parris Attended No

Nathan Sutton Attended No

Phil McCracken Attended Yes

Emily McCracken Holt & Avery Attended Yes

Rhonda McCracken & friend Attended No

Tim McCracken Attended Yes

Drew Sutton Attended No

⭐ Highlights of the Day

Seeing Collection first time in years
Meeting two newest relatives of the McCracken clan in Mary Briggs and Avery Holt

💬 Family Memories

Remembering Papaw pulling arrowheads and pottery pieces from his pockets when he came in from plowing.
Seeing the numerous arrowheads from the collection.
Missed many pieces.