The Macon County Historical Society was born out of a concern for and desire to preserve the Nikwasi Indian Mound in Franklin, NC. Formed in 1946, the Society successfully raised funds to purchase the mound and then deeded it in trust to the town of Franklin. Though inactive for a time after this initial objective was obtained, the Society was revived in 1976. The Society seeks to preserve the area's rich mountain heritage for all ... the old timers and the newcomers and visitors. The purpose of the Society is to bring together those people interested in history, especially the history of Macon County, through discovery, collection, and preservation of materials and information. The Society is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation chartered in North Carolina.

Today the Historical Society is housed in and operates the Macon County Historical Museum in one of the oldest and most historical buildings in Macon County - the 100 year old Pendergrass Store.

In addition to operating the Museum, the Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, Macon County Echoes, as well as books on county history and genealogy, offers educational and entertaining programs for all ages, promotes historical and heritage preservation, and pursues historical and genealogical research and encourages and offers assistance to others in doing research. The photographic and family history collections are open to the public for research at the museum.