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If you are new to the area and planning a move, you are in for
a treat coming to Flat Rock North Carolina.
This page is
from the
Historic Hendersonville website.
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Attractions -
Village of Flat Rock
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Information Subject to Change
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Historic Village of Flat Rock
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Flat The community of Flat Rock
began about a century and
three quarters ago. Throughout Flat
Rock the affluent Charlestonians,
Europeans and prominent plantation
owners of the South's low country
built large summer estates in the
English manner. The families of
South Carolina's Low Country came to
Flat Rock to escape the sweltering
heat and the epidemic of yellow
fever and malaria. South Carolina's
Low Country gentry affectionately
called Flat Rock The Little
Charleston of the Mountains.
The
entire district of Flat Rock is
included in the National Register of
Historic Places. Historic
Flat Rock Incorporated is striving
to preserve the feeling of the Old
South. Historic Flat Rock is home to
several attractions such as: The
Flat Rock Playhouse, State Theatre
of NC; the Carl Sandburg Home, NHS;
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal
Church and the Historic Woodfield
Inn as well as many unique specialty
shops and enterprises. |
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Flat Rock Playhouse, State
Theatre of North Carolina
was founded in 1952 by Robroy
Farquhar and his Company of Vagabond
Players.
What began as a few weeks of summer
performances is now an eight month
season of plays including world
premieres and standard Broadway
musicals, comedy, drama, and youth
theatre.
In 1961
by a Act of the North Carolina
General Assembly, Flat Rock
Playhouse was officially designated
The State Theatre of North Carolina.
In addition to presenting top
quality productions, Flat Rock
Playhouse, operated by The Vagabond
School of the Drama, Inc., is
committed to teaching the performing
arts. The YouTheatre program hosts
over 600 students annually and
instructs students ranging from
kindergarten to high school seniors.
Apprentice and Intern programs are
designed to prepare college and post
graduate students for a career in
theatre
The
Playhouse is considered one "Top Ten
Theaters in the Country." The
Flat Rock Playhouse has presented
hundreds of productions. A wonderful
escape from life's hectic pace, the
Playhouse offers quality
entertainment rarely found so far
from Broadway. The Playhouse is open
from mid-May through mid-October,
plus holiday productions, presenting
matinees and evening performances
Wednesday through Sunday. For
additional information or a schedule
of productions call (828) 693-0731,
2661 Greenville Hwy. (Hwy. 225
South), Flat Rock, NC.
www.flatrockplayhouse.org |
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Carl
Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Carl
Sandburg, American poet, historian,
author, and lecturer spent the final
22 years of his long and productive
life at his estate, Connemara, in
Flat Rock, NC. Today this
National Historic Site offers a keen
insight on Mr. Sandburg, his family
and their 264 acre working farm. The
Sandburg Home was built in 1838 and
now houses his collection of 10,000
books, notes and papers. The home
offers daily tours and is closed
only on Christmas Day. There are
numerous hiking trails and a
functional goat barn, where Mrs.
Sandburg raised her prize winning
goats.
Admission is charged only for guided
tours of the home. Access to the
trails, grounds, barns and public
areas are free of charge. The Park
is open from 9am -5 pm, 7 days a
week. Closed on Christmas day. For
additional information call (828)
693-4178, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane,
Flat Rock, NC.
http://www.nps.gov/carl |
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St. John
in the Wilderness Episcopal Church,
listed on the National Register of
Historic Sites, offers a unique
perspective of prominent families in
southern and national history.
St. John in the Wilderness
was built as a private chapel in
1833, on the grounds of Charles and
Susan Barings' home, Mountain Lodge.
The church was deeded to the
Episcopal Diocese of Western North
Carolina in 1936.
Many well-known
members of southern aristocracy have
family plots in the churchyard;
those names include: Christopher
Memminger, first secretary of the
Confederate treasury; Rev. John
Drayton, developer of the
world-famous Magnolia Gardens of
Charleston; members of the families
of three signers of the Declaration
of Independence; Edward P. King, the
World War II General who led the
infamous Bataan death march. The
church and graveyard are open Tues.
- Sun. from 9:00AM-4:00PM for
visitation. The church is located on
1895 Greenville Hwy. (Hwy. 225
South) in Flat Rock. For additional
information call the church at (828)
693-9783.
http://www.stjohnflatrock.org/ |
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The
Historic Woodfield Inn
was built in 1852, on 28
rolling acres as The Farmers
Hotel.
The Inn
served as the first stage coach stop
along the Old Indian Trail. During
the Civil War, Confederate soldiers
were garrisoned at the Inn to
protect the Flat Rock community.
Confederate soldiers hid gold and
jewelry from Union Troops and
renegades in a secret room that is
still accessible from one of the
second story rooms. Written on the
inside wall of the secret room is
reportedly the formula for making
gun powder.
After the turn of the century, the
Inn was sold and renamed the
Woodfield Inn. The Inn has been
entered into the National Register
of Historic Places. For additional
information call (828) 693-6016 or
800-533-6016. The Inn is located on
Hwy. 25 South, Flat Rock. |
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Regional /
Nearby Attractions
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Information Subject to Change
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The North Carolina Arboretum
is a member of the University of
North Carolina System and spans 426
acres.
The Arboretum serves as a regional
and international resource for
education, conservation and offers
classes, workshops and nature walks
for all ages. There is much to
discover when you explore the
Arboretum's many trails and
state-of-the-art greenhouse.
The
Arboretum offers a Native Azalea
Repository, public display gardens,
unique horticultural exhibits,
education center, hiking, biking,
and nature trails are a few of the
attractions available to the public.
The North
Carolina Arboretum is located 15
miles north of Hendersonville.
For
additional information call (828)
665-2492.
www.ncarboretum.org |
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Biltmore House
today is the largest privately owned
home in America situated on 8,000
acres. It was built by George
Vanderbilt and was completed in
1895. Vanderbilt commissioned
Richard Morris Hunt to create the
250-room mansion modeled after a
French chateau. Today the Estate
encompasses the house, landscaped
gardens, walking trails, woodlands,
restaurants, shops, inn, and an
award-winning winery.
Biltmore
Estate is located 22 miles north of
Hendersonville.
For additional information call
(800) 543-2961
www.biltmore.com |
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The
Blue Ridge Parkway follows
the mountain ridges from Shenandoah
National Park in Virginia to Great
Smoky Mountains National Park in
North Carolina and Tennessee. The
Parkway's 469 toll-free miles
combines natural beauty, mountain
forests, wildlife, wildflowers and
magnificent views. The Parkway was
designed especially for leisure
travel and enjoyment. There are
numerous overlooks and parking areas
to view some of America's finest
scenic vistas.
The Blue
Ridge Parkway is located 15 miles
north of Hendersonville.
For additional information call
1-800-228-7275 or (828) 298-0398.
www.blueridgeparkway.org
The
Folk Art Center
is the
most popular attraction on the Blue
Ridge Parkway. The Folk Art
Center showcases the finest in
traditional and contemporary crafts
of the Southern Appalachians. The
Folk Art center is home of the
Southern Highland Craft Guild,
representing 300 Guild members'
crafts from Southern Appalachia, it
offers changing exhibits and
demonstrations. The Folk Art Center
is open daily except Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year's Day.
Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at
Mile - post #382. For additional
information call (828) 298-7928.
www.southernhighlandguild.org |
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Cherokee
Indian Reservation
in Cherokee, North Carolina, where
Cherokee Indians have lived for
centuries, is located on the border
of the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park.
The 56,000 acre Reservation is still
linked to ancient customs, culture,
history, and traditions.
Witness the history of the Cherokee
at the outdoor drama, "Unto These
Hills," the Museum of the Cherokee
Indian and the Oconaluftee Indian
Village. For additional
information call 800-438-1601.
www.cherokee-nc.com
Harrah's Cherokee Casino is
a 175,000 sq. ft. facility,
featuring non-stop casino action
including: traditional games in
video format , live entertainment
and restaurants.
www.harrahs.com |
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Chimney
Rock Park is a natural
attraction covering 1000 acres. On a
clear day the view spans as far as
Kings Mountain, seventy-five miles
to the east. You can take the
elevator 26 stories inside the
mountain to reach the top of the
Chimney and the trails. Chimney Rock
Park hosts special events throughout
the year, including an Easter
sunrise service, an Earth Day
celebration, demonstrations, and
guided nature walks.
Chimney
Rock Park is located 14 miles east
of Hendersonville. For
additional information call (800)
277-9611.
www.chimneyrockpark.com |
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Grandfather Mountain is one
of the most environmentally
significant mountains in the world.
Crossing the famous swinging
footbridge suspends you more than a
mile above sea level.
Grandfather Mountain features
wildlife environmental habitats,
interpretive nature museum, hiking
trails and picnic areas. For over
100 years Grandfather Mountain has
been a wildlife sanctuary and nature
preserve, with an elevation of 5,964
feet. Open all year. For
additional information call
800-468-7325.
www.grandfather.com |
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The Great Smoky Mountains National
Park
covers seven counties in North
Carolina, with the northern fringe
of the Smokies in Tennessee.
The
520,000-acre park is one of the
largest wilderness areas in the
Eastern United States, covering more
than 88 square miles. The park
contains some of the highest peaks
in the East, with elevations in
excess of 6,000 feet.
Activities include trails for hiking
and horseback riding, back country
campsites, developed campgrounds,
self-guided nature trails,
self-guided auto tours, trout
fishing and several visitor centers.
www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/welcome.html
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Lake
Lure’s 27 miles of
shoreline is nestled in the
foothills of the Blue Ridge
Mountains of North Carolina. Lake
Lure was selected by National
Geographic as one of the Ten Most
Spectacular man-made lakes in the
World. The lake offers a marina,
boat tours and a sandy beach.
Lake
Lure is located 14 miles east of
Hendersonville.
For additional information call Lake
Lure Tours at 1-877-558-7433.
www.lakelure.com
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The Pisgah National Forest's
501,691 acres stretches across the
eastern edge of Western North
Carolina's mountains. The Forest
offers hiking trails, fishing,
camping, picnic sites, and
spectacular waterfalls.
Some of
Pisgah National Forest's attractions
include Looking Glass Falls, Sliding
Rock, Pisgah Forest State Fish
Hatchery, Pisgah Center for Wildlife
Education, The Cradle of Forestry
and the North Mills River
Recreational Area.
www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc
North
Mills River Recreational Area
is located just 13 miles from
Hendersonville and offers picnic
sites, campsites, river fishing &
tubing.
For additional information call
828-877-3265
www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/nfnc_fishing/north_mills_river_area.htm
Today the Cradle of Forestry
is a
6,500 acre Historic Site within the
Pisgah National Forest, set aside by
Congress to commemorate the
beginning of forestry conservation
in the United States. The
Forest Discovery Center commemorates
conservation history with an 18
minute movie on Vanderbilt, Pinchot,
Schenck and the beginning of
forestry in America. Outdoor
activities include two guided trails
which lead you back in time to seven
historical buildings, a 1915 Climax
locomotive and the old sawmill.
Thursdays through Sundays you may
find a toy maker, a weaver, a
quilter, a wood carver and a basket
maker. For additional information
call (828) 877-3130-8628 or(828)
884-5713.
www.cradleofforestry.com
The Pisgah Center for
Wildlife Education, located
in Pisgah National Forest, is
dedicated to exploring the wonders
of North Carolina's wildlife.
The
Center's attractions include:
aquariums, hands-on exhibits, garden
display, special programs, viewing
and feeding of the hatchery trout.
The Center is open to the public
daily, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., except
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and
New Year's Day. (Outdoor exhibits
close at 4:30 p.m.). For additional
information call (828) 877-4423.
www.pisgah.state.nc.us |
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Polk
County's
quiet back
roads offer a unique glimpse of life
- scenic overlooks, crafts and
antique shopping, nature adventures,
equestrian events and pure
relaxation on the porch of a
historic inn. For additional
informaiton call 800-440-7848.
www.nc-mountains.org
Pearson's Falls is located
on Pearson's Falls Rd., off Pacolet
River Scenic Byway, Highway 176. Easy
well maintained hiking trails,
picnic areas, bird watching,
wildflowers, a rushing river and a
90 ft. waterfall. Closed
Mondays year round and
Monday-Tuesday (Nov.1st - March
1st) Admission fee. For additional
information call (828) 749-3031.
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center
offers
hiking and horseback riding trails,
bird walks, nature center, pond with
boardwalk and picnic area. 320 acre
nature preserve.
Equestrian events, concerts and more
throughout the year. Free and open
to the public. For additional
information call (828) 859-9021.
www.fence.org |
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The Great Smoky Mountains National
Park
covers seven counties in North
Carolina, with the northern fringe
of the Smokies in Tennessee.
The
520,000-acre park is one of the
largest wilderness areas in the
Eastern United States, covering more
than 88 square miles. The park
contains some of the highest peaks
in the East, with elevations in
excess of 6,000 feet.
Activities include trails for hiking
and horseback riding, back country
campsites, developed campgrounds,
self-guided nature trails,
self-guided auto tours, trout
fishing and several visitor centers.
www.nps.gov/grsm/gsmsite/welcome.html
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 The
Thomas Wolfe Memorial is the
childhood home of author, Thomas
Wolfe. Thomas Wolfe immortalized his
childhood home in his epic
autobiographical novel, Look
Homeward, Angel. Wolfe's
colorful portrayal of his family,
his hometown of Asheville, North
Carolina, and the Old Kentucky Home
boarding house earned the historic
Victorian home a place as one of
American Literature's most famous
landmarks.
The
Thomas Wolfe Memorial is located 25
miles north of Hendersonville, 52
North Market St., Asheville, NC.
www.wolfememorial.com |
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The birthplace of Zebulon Baird
Vance
is located in Weaverville, NC.
Vance's political career as a Civil
War officer, governor of North
Carolina, and U.S. senator is
explored at the homestead.
Zeb
Vance served in public office for
thirty years, in the North Carolina
House of Commons and the United
States House of Representatives and
was elected the governor three times.
The furnishings
and household items on display are
representative of the period from
1790 to 1840 and include a few
pieces original to the home. The
five-room log house also includes
the history of Vance's famous
mountain family. For additional
information call (828) 645-6706.
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/vance/vance.htm |
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The
Western North Carolina Agricultural
Center is one of the finest
multi-use facilities in America. It
is state owned and operated and has
become a national model for a
well-designed, multi-purpose
agricultural facility.
Most
weekends the Ag Center offers
equestrian shows, dog shows, rodeos,
motorcycle rallies, just to name a
few. The Ag Center is home to the
Mountain State Fair, a ten day
celebration of mountain living
featuring exhibits, animals, a
midway and food.
For
additional information call (828)
687-1414.
www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/facilit/agcenter/western
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Brevard Music Center’s
premier summer music festival and
comprehensive music center has set
the highest standards in performance
and education for six decades.
Brevard Music Center provides
intensive study for high school,
college, and pre-professional
musicians, ages 14 and older, and
offers a full range of concerts and
operas with renowned artists.
The
Brevard Music Center is located 18
miles west of Hendersonville.
For additional information call
1-888-384-8628 or (828) 862-2105.
www.brevardmusic.org
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The Wheels Through Time Museum
is
home to an astounding presentation
of America's vintage transportation
from the past.
The
38,000 sq. ft. museum offers the
world's largest collection of rare
American motorcycles, automobiles
from each of the ten decades of
America's automobile history and
thousands of related memorabilia and
mementos.
Located in Maggie Valley, NC.
www.wheelsthroughtime.com |
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The Appalachian National Scenic
Trail is a public footpath
across 2,155 miles of Appalachian
Mountain ridges extending from Maine
to Georgia. The Trail is protected
along more than 97 percent of its
course by federal or state ownership
of the land or by right-of-way.
The National Park Service has
overall responsibility for the Trail
through its Appalachian Trail Park
Office. For additional information
call 304-535-6331
www.nps.gov/appa |
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Mount Mitchell State Park
is the
highest point East of the
Mississippi at 6,684 feet offering
breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge
Mountains. The Park offers an
exhibit hall, restaurant, hiking &
bridle trails, observation tower,
picnic area, primitive camping,
visitor center. Northeast of
Asheville off Blue Ridge Parkway on
NC 128.
For
additional information call
828-675-4611.
http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/momi/do.html |
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