John Connor, left, and Clyde Kerns with the new monument stone.

On Friday, June 14th, 2019 the Kings Mountain Historical Museum hosted a monument reveal in the commons area between the two historical houses on the property. As the plaque at the site says, "this monument stands as a grateful tribute to the miners and rich mineral heritage of this region. The first national gold rush occurred in North Carolina, and mining has played an integral role in the development of the Kings Mountain area."
The monument stone was donated by John Connor, President of Southeastern Geoscience, Inc. and the delivery of the stone was donated by Clyde Kerns of Kerns Trucking. According to Mr. Connor, the stone is called pegmatite and is composed of the minerals feldspar, quartz, spodumene and other micas. Spodumene is the principal ore mineral of lithium. The stone is about 360 million years old and was mined at the site of the former Lithium Corporation of America near Bessemer City.
Following the monument reveal, the Museum's Board of Directors hosted an appreciation BBQ dinner for Mr. Connor, Mr. Kerns and the Museum staff and volunteers. The Board also introduced Ms. January Costa, the new director and curator, to the staff and volunteers.

(Pictured: Museum board members, staff & volunteers pose with Mr. Connor & Mr. Kerns.)
Submitted by Anna Lineberger