Ferguson, North Carolina: Whippoorwill Village: Tom Dooley Museum

Among this collection of old log buildings and people in period costumes is the Tom Dooley Museum, with artworks depicting his crime and a miniature diorama showing his punishment. It involved a mule and a noose.

Address:: 11928 NC Hwy 268 W., Ferguson, NC
Directions:: On the north side of NC-268, either 12 miles west of US-421 in Wilkesboro, or 16 miles east of US-321 in Happy Valley.
Hours:: Apr-Oct every 3rd Saturday. (Call to verify)
Phone:: 336-973-3237
Admission:: Donations welcome.

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Whippoorwill Academy and Village.

Whippoorwill Academy and Village

Whippoorwill Academy and Village tells the story of the Yadkin Valley and two of the area's most notable figures from frontier times: Daniel Boone and Tom Dooley. Dooley has a dedicated museum in the village and Boone has a replica cabin from his time in Wilkes County. There are numerous buildings onsite that recount the area's history and that provide a tangible touch to the past. The staff, the owners, and volunteers really bring the history alive. Everyone that I talked to has ancestors that tie back either to Boone or Dooley (Dula). Thomas C. ("Tom Dooley" in legend and song) killed Laura Foster on May 28, 1866, in Wilkes County, and was later hung for the deed.

[Jody High, 06/13/2025]

The Tom Dooley Museum features a miniature diorama of Dula as he's about to be hanged from the back of a mule cart.