William Rea, of
Boston, was the first of five brothers to make their home in Murfreesboro
and vicinity. Arriving here in the 1790's, he became a successful merchant
shipowner and, with his brother Joseph, operated a store in the red brick
building which now serves as a museum. The only surviving 18th century brick
commercial structure in North Carolina, the museum features exhibits on
local Native American tribes, agriculture, and river transportation. A room
interior for the Gatling plantation houses a large collection of Gatling
family memorabilia and an authentic Gatling gun.
