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Discover Clayton's History

The Clayton Historical Association, Inc. (CHA) was founded in 2007. We are an all-volunteer organization devoted to collecting, preserving, and sharing Clayton’s history. Whether your family roots are deep in Clayton or you are a recent arrival, we invite you to join the Clayton Historical Association.

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Our Mission and Vision

Misson

The mission of the Clayton Historical Association is to preserve and share the history and the historic properties of Clayton, North Carolina.

Vision

Welcoming new members and supporters, the Clayton Historical Association, Inc. provides ongoing research and education opportunities to help preserve and share Clayton's rich history. Through community engagement, our vision is to establish the Clayton History Museum, a place to share with present and future generations how the people, traditions and events of the past gave us the town of Clayton we see today and shape our future.

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Meet Our Board

2026 Board Meeting Dates

 

  1. ​Januar 14 - Time?

  2. February 11

  3. March 11 

  4. April 8  

  5. May 13  

  6. June 10  

  7. July 8  

  8. August 12  

  9. September 9  

  10. October 14  

  11. November 11  

  12. December 9

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Key Milestones

History of the Clayton Historical Association

On February 20, 2007, nine Clayton residents were appointed as the founding Board of Directors of the Clayton Historical Association. Officers were Porter Casey, Jr., President; Barker Edwards, Vice President; Kimberly Laney, Treasurer; Judy Edwards, Secretary; Mary Thomas-Compton, Timpla Casey, Noury Buttry, Jackie Smith, and Michael Grannis.

Key Milestones

First year the CHA

  • Established a temporary museum at the Hocutt-Ellington
    Memorial Library.

  • Raised money during the first year of the Clayton Town Square
    Concert Series for a proposed Civil War Trails Marker as part of the Civil War Trails Program.

  • Initiated the initial CHA Membership Drive.

  • Honored veterans during Robertson Mule Co. Open Day.

  • Opened Robertson Mule Co. for Millstock Music and Arts Faire
    attendees

    • To see the wagons, buggies, and sleighs that
      “Mister Sam” Robertson had collected through the years;

    • Display CHA’s research for the Flag of Truce Marker.

    • Conduct the first CHA membership drive event.

  • The first “Yellow Jacket Gazette” newsletters were published by Judy Edwards.

  • Guided Clayton High School Senior, Allen Mullins, to create a
    “2008 Historical Calendar of Clayton” who worked with the
    Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library and various longtime
    residents for information and photos to use in the calendar.

  • Established the Civil War Trails Marker “Flag of Truce” to
    commemorate Clayton’s role in the surrender of Raleigh to the Union Army.

Highlights over the years

  • Collaborated with Johnston County Heritage Center & Johnston
    County Visitor’s Bureau to install a historical marker for Courthouse at Hinton’s Quarters (1759-1771).

  • Established the “Historic Homes Plaque” program.

  • Hosted Clayton History Days.

  • Participated in the Sesquicentennial Celebration of Clayton’s
    founding.

  • Hosted a “Soldier’s Walk Home.”

  • Organized presentations about the Clayton Historic District.

  • Identified Historic Buildings throughout Clayton.

  • Created the first Historic Clayton Walking Tour map.

  • Presented live historical demonstrations as part of the Clayton
    Harvest Festival.

  • Organized Historic Tax Credit Seminars.

  • Hosted the annual “Clayton City Cemetery Ghost Walk.”

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