About the Museum

The Douglas G. Bast Museum of History and Preservation Inc., also known as the Boonsborough Museum of History, is a 501(c)3,  registered as a non-profit organization.

Doug Bast started the Boonsborough Museum of History in 1975 and never stopped collecting artifacts of historical significance locally and around the globe.  The collections of the museum are vast and varied.  In every corner of the building, there is something interesting to explore.

The mission of the Douglas G. Bast Museum of History and Preservation, Inc. is to respectfully preserve and share evocative personal stories and unique, irreplaceable artifacts from the American Civil War, and to educate visitors to the museum on what life in small communities was like during the Civil War era.

Our five-year goals are to:
• Complete the rehabilitation of the exterior of the museum Annex at 109 North Main Street and upgrade the interior in regard to handicap accessibility, electrical service, lighting, plumbing and heating/air conditioning.

• Collect and preserve Mr. Bast’s reflections and commentary about noteworthy items in the collection.

• Professionally inventory, catalogue and curate the extensive library and document collection in order to make it accessible to genealogists, historians and students of the Civil War period.

• Incrementally expand operating hours such that the museum will be available to visitors at least 5 days per week, and develop a marketing plan to attract visitors.

• Formulate a financial plan for continual development, refinement and maintenance of the museum and maintain a supportive and purposeful volunteer staff and Board of Directors to carry out the work of the museum.