WNC CAT MUSEUM
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Honoring The Past, Securing The Future...

The American Museum of the House Cat is dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of art, artifacts, and literature of the HouseCat for the purposes of education, historical perspective, aesthetic enjoyment, and for the significance of the unique five million year relationship between man and the domesticated feline.

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"To a cat, territory and personal; is paramount. When someone takes a cat from a cage it must invade its space. The cat reacts with aggression or fear. Neither is conducive to being chosen as a pet to adopt. In an open shelter, where cats are allowed to roam free their assumption of personal space is reduced. They can remain in a "safe zone" until they decide to take a chance to leave it and investigate the new elephant in the room, the person who comes in to find a cat to adopt. Then the cat comes to the person in a friendly frame of mind, and that person is more likely to adopt that cat than if had been taken from a cage with its guard up. This has been the way at Catman2 for the past 20 years and I hope others will follow our lead and never again jail a cat without just cause." ~ Harold Sims

Founder of the Catman2 Shelter and the Curator of the American Museum of the House Cat
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Little Works Of Art, the full documentary, is linked to the picture of our curator, Harold Sims, D.Ed.
Little Works of Art, a documentary by Kim Best, is the story of our Curator, Dr, Harold Sims.  Serving as an introduction to our American Museum of the House Cat, this short film details the love and passion Dr, Sims feels for the Cat.  The Cary Theater featured Little Works of Art for their Local Premiers Series in November of 2017.  Little Works of Art then debuted at the 1st Annual New York Cat Film Festival in December of 2017 with the awarded honor of being chosen as the title feature for the Program Two and has been touring the country throughout 2018 with stops in cities and towns from the West Coast to the East Coast delighting cat lovers everywhere.  In 2018 Little Works of Art was one of the films officially selected for the LongLeaf Film Festival held at the North Carolina Museum of History.

Kim Best is a writer, editor, journalist, and videographer.  She finds the stories that need to be told and through the lens of her camera she captures the details others overlook. Her passion is is to educate and entertain her audience through visual arts and written word.  She has worked abroad and travels extensively and continues to find stories to tell wherever she goes.  ​

We Welcomed Over 12.000 Guests Back Inside Our Museum to Meet Our MuseumCats In 2023

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Yes, you heard right.  We are finally reopened our doors the spring of 2023 and we couldn't be more elated to bring you this news.  During the month of March 2023, our staff completed finishing touches and gearing up to welcome back all who love cats.  When we began our move to our permanent home in 2020 - in hopes of completing the reset - of the WNC Cat Museum; no one could have predicted the devastation incurred by COVID 19 on small business. ​

The American
 Museum of the House Cat needs the support of cat lovers, both individual and corporate.  Our curator, Dr. Harold W. Sims, a visionary, has created a one of a kind educational, historical, multimedia art collection dedicated solely to the feline. While located inside the now closed, Old School Antique Mall, our museum was visited by over 18,000 guests worldwide during the years 2017, 2018, and 2019.  With your support, America's Cat Museum, with room for enlargement, will continue to entertain, inspire and educate every ailurophile.  You can download and share our Museum Campaign Letter and create your own fundraisers for the American Museum of the House Cat.  

What Makes A Happy House Cat?      ...Learn More By Reading the Redfin Blog

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Check Out The Redfin Article We Were Featured In

​If you want to make your cat happy at home, it isn’t just about tossing them a crinkly toy and hoping for the best — it’s a full-time gig wrapped in fur, purrs, and the occasional passive-aggressive stare. While the internet might have you believe cats are aloof little weirdos who’d rather nap than engage, the experts know better: these creatures are complex, social, and easily bored. The price of neglect is usually paid in shredded furniture or a mysteriously soiled rug.  Whether you live in an apartment in Scottsdale or a house in Orlando, making your cat feel safe, stimulated, and loved takes a little effort and a lot of understanding.  The good news?  Experts have plenty of tips to help you get it right.  Read the full article here:  21 Tips On How To Make  Your Cat Happy At Home | Redfin
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Scooby & The ARTiCats  🐾  About The Artist  🐾  Adopt | Donate | Volunteer  🐾  Contact Us  🐾  Events

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PayPal Giving Fund
An Art Museum in the Smoky Mountains Supporting a Cage Free No Kill Cat Shelter

 🐾The Whole MEOW 🐾

5063 US Highway 441 South 
Sylva, North Carolina  28779
828.476.9376

Staff​
Paws Of Legacy
Honoring The Past...Securing The Future
Dr Harold W Sims, Jr.
Director and Curator  |  1935-2024

Kaleb Lynch - Catman2 Shelter Director
​Kimberly Crow - Marketing Director
Jeanette Riggs -  Museum Educator


​Our status as a 509(a)(2) Tax Exempt Public Charity can be verified on GuideStar and the IRS website.  Our EIN is 83-2370700
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All Purr Pod Images Shared With Permission by the Artist and can be Found on Flickr.

Join Our Team

Curator Novels

Home  🐾  In The News  🐾 COVID 19 Information 🐾  Tabby Cat Gift Shop 🐾  Catman's Cats Blog
Admission:
$10.00 Adult
$5.00   Child (Ages 6-12)
$7.50   Teen  (Ages 13-17)
$8.50   University Student 
FREE.  Kitten (Ages 5 & Under)   
$25 Curated Tour*
By Appointment Only*
Please Ask Us About Our AAA, and Military 
Discounts

Hours of Operation*
​​​
 Monday  10:00am - 5:00p
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Tuesday  10:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday. 10:00 - 5:00pm
Thursday  10:00am - 5:00pm
Friday  10:00am - 5:00pm
​Saturday  10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm


*Hours Subject To Change Due To Adverse Weather Conditions*


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HouseCats Deserve A FurEver Home Always ShelterKitty Tours & Adoption Services Contact Catman2 Shelter

Follow Our Social Media for Upcoming Extended Summer Hours & Special Summer Evening After Hours Events
A Proud Member of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Smoky Mountain Host.  
Find Us On Discover Jackson County NC.
Find Us In The Official Travel Guide of North Carolina and  In
​ The Offbeat  Attractions & Museums You Have To See To Believe Article 
©️Copyright 2017 -2025, The American Museum Of the Housecat, Inc., All Rights Reserved
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  • Home
    • 4 Paws Up Guest Reviews
    • Join Our Team
    • In The News
  • Scooby & The ARTiCats
    • About The Artist
  • Adopt | Donate | Volunteer
  • Contact Us
    • Hours
  • Catman's Cats
    • The Whole MEOW
    • Curator Novels
  • Museum Endowment Fund
    • Support
    • Events