Welcome to the
Old North State Council
Scout Museum
The museum is named for
Bill Pergerson
- Teacher, Scouter, Historian -
Founders of the Scouting Movement
Learn about Robert Baden-Powell, Daniel Carter Beard, Ernest Thompson Seton, William D. Boyce, James E. West and other early Scout leaders.
Early Scouting Uniforms and memorabilia
See merit badges and pamphlets, books and clothing used by Scouts in the 1920s and 1930s. Learn about senior Scouting and Sea Scouts.
Scouting Equipment from the 1930s -1940s
See pocket knives, backpacks, sleeping bags, canteens, compasses, bugles and other official Scouting equipment used during Scouting’s early years.
OLD NORTH STATE COUNCIL
The Old North State Council, BSA serves eight counties in central North Carolina. It includes Alamance, Caswell, Davie, Davidson, Guilford, Person, Randolph, and Rockingham. Major communities include Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Lexington, Asheboro, Reidsville, and Roxboro.
The Council was formed in 1992 with the merger of General Greene Council headquartered in Greensboro and Uwharrie Council headquartered in High Point. In the fall of 1994 Cherokee Council joined the group for its current alignment.
The primary camp for the council is Cherokee Scout Reservation located near Yanceyville, NC. Other properties include Woodfield Scout Camp west of Asheboro, Hagan Sea Base on High Rock Lake and Hemric Scout Reservation on Kerr Lake.
The museum has a collection of many of the Council Shoulder Patches (CSPs) issued by the ONSC. There are camp patches and lots of other memorabilia.
ONSC Council Shoulder Patches
TSOIOTSI TSOGALII LODGE 70
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is Scouting’s national honor society. The OA recognizes Scouts and Scouters that best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. With its origins in 1915 this Brotherhood of Cheerful Service promotes Scout camping, provides leadership development for youth, and gives many hours of service to the Old North State Council.
The name of the ONSC’s OA lodge is Tsoiotsi Tsogalii. This name means “We Three Are Friends” in the Cherokee language. The name refers to the lodge’s formation from the merger of three legacy lodges that each operated for over fifty years. The legacy lodges are Tali Taktaki Lodge 70 from General Greene Council, Uwharrie Lodge 208 from Uwharrie Council and Tsalagi Lodge 163 from Cherokee Council. The current lodge formed in 1994. From 1992 to 1994 Keyauwee Lodge 70 served four counties.
Each OA lodge has a totem and in 1994 Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge chose the red-tailed hawk to be its totem. This raptor that resides throughout North Carolina is found on most patches issued by the lodge.
The ONSC Scout Museum maintains a collection of patches issued by Tsoiotsi Tsogalii Lodge and each of the legacy lodges.
Cherokee Scout Reservation
The Cherokee Council opened Cherokee Scout Reservation in 1968. The camp is used year round for a wide variety of Scout activities. Summer camp boasts a well trained, experienced staff and offers a diverse group of merit badges and unique programs.
UWHARRIE COUNCIL
Serving High Point, Davie, and Davidson counties from 1921 to 1991 Uwharrie Council has a rich history. The museum has a fine collection of memorabilia including the merit badges and medal of its first Eagle Scout, Fred Ingram, earned in 1925.
CHEROKEE COUNCIL
Serving Alamance, Caswell, Person, and Rockingham counties from 1923 to 1994 Cherokee Council earned a reputation for providing outstanding service to the community & developing strong leaders. Doc Lewis was an active volunteer for over 50 years serving as lodge adviser, Council Executive Board, and on camp staff.
Tslagi Lodge 163 (1939 - 1988)
Tsalagi Lodge 163 (1988 - 1994)
GENERAL GREENE COUNCIL
Greensboro had one of the first Boy Scout troops in the South in 1910. As the program grew the volunteers established the Greensboro Area Council in 1918. When Randolph County joined with Guilford Co. the council was renamed for General Nathaniel Greene that led the American troops at the local Revolutionary War site, Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
In 1933 the first OA lodge in NC was started at Camp Graystone. It was named Tali Taktaki that meant heron on a gray stone.
Camp Wenasa and Camp Nikwasi served the council from 1953 to 1994.
National Jamboree Collection
National Jamborees
In 1935 the BSA wanted to celebrate its 25th anniversary. A gathering of Scouts from all over the USA were invited to Washington, DC. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled due to a polio epidemic. In 1937 the first National Jamboree was held in the nation’s capitol.
Following World War II Jamborees resumed and were held in 1950 (Valley Forge in PA), 1953 (Irvine Ranch in CA), and 1957 (Valley Forge).
In 1960 the BSA celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Jamboree in Colorado Springs, CO. Jamborees continued every four or five years. From 1981 to 2010 these events were held at Fort AP Hill in Virginia.
In 2013 the BSA moved to the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia where jamborees were held in 2017 and 2023.
See patches, neckerchiefs, and lots of memorabilia issued for these national Scouting events.
Cub Scouting, Webelos Camp
Jamboree and Troop Flags
OA Conclave Collection
Collections and Scouting Heritage Merit Badges
The Old North State Council Scout Museum opened in 2009. Its main objective is to observe and preserve the traditions of Scouting. In addition to maintaining exhibits of local Scouting history and memorabilia the museum is used to teach Collections and Scouting Heritage merit badges.
Donations of Scouting Memorabilia are welcomed!
The museum has grown through the generous donations of Scouting memorabilia from many local Scouters. While most of the exhibits are owned by the museum, some of the key pieces are on loan. If you have Scouting items that you would like to donate to the museum, please contact the Old North State Council History Committee or the museum’s curator, Rick Horne, at 336-404-5247 or rick.horne@hotmail.com.
