Earl Scruggs is being honored in Shelby, NC. Destination Cleveland County is a nonprofit organization led by citizens of the county. The organization seeks to increase tourism by celebrating the county’s rich musical heritage.

In accordance with that goal, the DCC is currently working on development of The Earl Scruggs Center: Songs and Stories of the Carolina Foothills.

The center will be housed in the old county courthouse in downtown Shelby. The old courthouse already serves as a museum. The Earl Scruggs Center will inhabit one of the historic courtrooms, and will also include an exterior courthouse porch for music and storytelling. Plans are underway for renovation now.

The DCC has already put together a National Advisory Board consisting of 15 members, including many professors and two museum curators with the Smithsonian.

Also being put together right now is a musician and entertainment board. No word yet on who might be on that board.

Visit the organization’s blog for updates on progress.

* Photo by Jim Ford *