an introduction - View this location on map 'for a primer on western north carolina's mountain culture, stop in the appalachian cultural museum (828-262-3117). one display traces the history of the banjo from a west african gourd instrument to the signature sound of the appalachians. a short film spotlights local storytellers who mastered the long narrative yarns that thrived in the pre-television era. there's also a room dedicated to nascar, with two winston cup cars and an exhibit on the champion junior johnson, who, like many stock car drivers of his era, honed his skills by running moonshine through north carolina's hills and along its rural roads. admission is $4.'' New York Times 400 university hall drive, Boone, NC Cultural, Historical, Kids

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