In Lenoir, public art, trails for a variety of activities and insights into Caldwell County’s history come together. This makes the town appealing to travelers who don’t want to limit their stay to a single theme: from a paved loop trail and a mountain biking trail to sculpture exhibitions and regional collections, there are different highlights to discover.
Trails and Landscape
The T.H. Broyhill Walking Park, also known as the Walking Park, spans 20 acres. Its paved loop trail winds through a park with a lake, nature preserve and botanical gardens. The WNC Sculpture Park offers a different experience: on 12 acres of open fields and hiking trails, it presents a changing sculpture exhibition each year. As the works change, the exhibition offers new outdoor art again and again.
For activities on longer routes, the Lenoir Greenway offers more than nine miles of trails and paths. They are intended for running, walking, cycling and mountain biking. The Zacks Fork Bike Trail is described quite differently: it includes almost three miles of off-road mountain biking trail. When choosing between the two, you can focus on your preferred activity and trail format rather than treating them as similar routes.
The outdoor sculpture trail is also a convenient way to combine art with a visit outdoors. It is free and open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset. Check the latest accessibility information before your visit.
Sculptures in the City and in Exhibition Spaces
Tucker’s Outdoor Sculpture Gallery is located on the streets of downtown Lenoir. Twelve planters serve as pedestals for sculptures. The individual works are displayed for up to a year and offered for sale through the Caldwell Arts Council. This format differs from a collection intended to be permanent: the works in the public spaces change, while a permanent collection provides a longer-term body of work.
The Caldwell Arts Council’s permanent sculpture collection includes more than 80 sculptures on public display; the number may change as works are added or relocated. More than half of the Caldwell Arts Council’s permanent sculpture collection is outdoors and easily accessible. In addition, the WNC Sculpture Gallery in Lenoir presents changing exhibitions of contemporary sculpture and an outdoor collection of nearly 100 sculptures. These different art formats sit alongside one another: works in public spaces, changing exhibitions and extensive outdoor collections.
An annual event for art enthusiasts is Sculpture Celebration. It takes place on the Saturday after Labor Day at Broyhill Walking Park in Lenoir. Admission is free, and the program includes live music and food trucks. Free shuttle buses run to and from Mulberry Recreation Center. As the program may change, it is a good idea to check the event date and the latest program details in advance.
Caldwell County History
The Caldwell Heritage Museum explores the history of Caldwell County through nearly two dozen permanent exhibits. On display are donated artifacts from a variety of fields: the collections range from music from the county, early American history and military history to tools, schools, medicine, toys and games, and clothing. A reading room complements the exhibits. The wide range of topics offers a way to explore the history of the entire county, rather than just a single subject area.
Fort Defiance is a historic home near Lenoir. It was built in 1792 by a hero of the American Revolutionary War and restored in the style of the 18th and 19th centuries. It complements the museum and art themes with a specific historic building. When planning your trip, consider whether you would prefer to focus on sculptures, outdoor activities or the region’s history; the offerings described differ both in subject and format.
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