STAFF:

Robin Grotke, Director, MA, Anthropology/Museum Studies

Battista Bennett, Museum STEM Educator, BS, Recreation and Leisure Studies

Certifications:
2023 Certified Burner Course – NC Forest Service.
2022 NC Environmental Education Certification – NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs.
2022 Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) – National Association for Interpretation (NAI).
2018 Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments Certificate (OLE) – Natural Learning Initiative (NLI), NC State University. 

Mavis Womble, Museum Assistant

Filip Zubrowicz, Museum Assistant

MAILING ADDRESS:
224 Seminary Street

P.O. Box 950

Kenansville, NC 28349

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
411 S. Main Street
Kenansville, NC 28349​
(910) 296-2149

EMAIL:

info.museum@duplinnc.gov

HOURS OF OPERATION:

• We are open Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

• The Cowan Museum will be closed for holiday on Friday, July 3, 2026.

• The Joann Cowan Brown Botanical Garden is open 24/7. 

• Sensory bags are available onsite upon request (limited supply).

• Admission is FREE. Donations are appreciated.

TOURS:

• Most of the museum's exhibits are self-guided, but our staff is available to answer questions, talk about the artifacts and geology specimens, and tell stories about the museum. 

• We are happy to conduct guided group tours. Because we are a small museum, please contact us so that we may give our staff at least 24 hours to prepare and clear the galleries. Oftentimes, projects in progress create obstructions.

• Regarding tour cancellations, we kindly ask that organizers of group tours notify the museum of their intent to cancel by 10:00 a.m. the morning of their scheduled tour.

GENERAL:

• Wheelchair access to the first floor galleries of the Kelly-Farrior House is provided.

• The botanical garden trail needs repair in FY2027 to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. We are sorry for this inconvenience.

• Please do not touch the artifacts inside the main museum building.

• Food and drinks are not allowed inside the main building.

• Photography is permitted.

• Public restrooms are not available. 

• We accept only cash for donations and gift items. We may not be able to make change.