2022 Homecoming and Annual Meeting

2022 Homecoming and Annual Meeting

Historic Flat Rock, Inc. requests the pleasure of your company at the2022 Homecoming and Annual MeetingAugust 6 - 7, 2022SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Saturday • August 6, 2022 10:00am Annual MeetingSt. John in the Wilderness Parish Hall 4:00 - 6:00 pm Cocktails at DunroyHome of...

Giving Tuesday 2021 We Need New Signs

Giving Tuesday 2021 We Need New Signs

Have you noticed? Giving Tuesday is arriving early in 2021 on Tuesday November 30th!   Giving Tuesday is a special day each year to support all Nonprofits. The date is the first Tuesday following Black Friday which appears to have already descended upon us. For HFR we...

Early transportation in Western North Carolina, Part Two

Early transportation in Western North Carolina, Part Two

The Carolina Special — note the steam coming out of the helper engine in the rear of the train. Image courtesy Henderson County Genealogical and Historical Society. The story of transportation in Western North Carolina began with drovers traveling on foot and...

Early transportation in Western North Carolina, Part One

Early transportation in Western North Carolina, Part One

“The Drovers’ Roads” map from Terry Ruscin’s book, A History of Transportation in Western North Carolina. Images by the author. In the early 19th century, there were few roads in the North Carolina Mountains. More often than not, what qualified for a road was a...

Bartram R. Bear

Bartram R. Bear

Let’s Cultivate Curiosity  Bartram R. Bear represents three generations of the “First Family of Botany in America”. The botany movement consisted of farmers, politicians, and explorers who were passionate about native plants. The function of illustration and written...

Arbor Day Memorial for Wes Burlingame

Arbor Day Memorial for Wes Burlingame

David Dethero and Historic Flat Rock, Inc. dedicate a Franklinia Tree at The Preserve and Bird Sanctuary Historic Flat Rock, Inc. on April 30, 2021   The Bartram Family and the Franklinia Tree Georgia was a British colony when in 1765 John and William Bartram observed...

African-American history in Henderson County, Part Two

African-American history in Henderson County, Part Two

Memorial stone for Henry Simmons. Photos by Missy Schenck unless otherwise stated. The Society of Necessity What Happened to the Promised Land?The dissolution of the Kingdom of the Happy Land was gradual. Work was a driving force, and residents began to drift away to...

African-American history in Henderson County, Part One

African-American history in Henderson County, Part One

The Kingdom of the Happy Land Several years ago I mentioned to my dear friend, John “Chip” Laurens of Charleston and Flat Rock, that I was writing a book on the summer camps of the Green River Valley. He immediately responded to my comment with “Miss, you’ve got to...

Flat Rock’s St. John in the Wilderness

Flat Rock’s St. John in the Wilderness

Nestled on a wooded hilltop above the northern gateway to Flat Rock, sits the Church of St. John in the Wilderness, the oldest Episcopal Church in Western North Carolina. Like a shepherd keeping watch over his flock, St. John’s appears to stand guard over the Village...

Dolce Far Niente by Missy Schenck

Dolce Far Niente by Missy Schenck

A Lowndes family history Since the early days of the colony that became known as “The Little Charleston of the Mountains,” the Lowndes family of Charleston was here. Of English descent, they were planters who made their fortunes in sugar and rice and public servants...

HFR Inc. and the NCDOT Kanuga Road (R-5748) Project Update

HFR Inc. and the NCDOT Kanuga Road (R-5748) Project Update

HFR Inc. and the NCDOT Kanuga Road (R-5748) Project Update on project impacts to the Flat Rock Historic District and mitigation requests to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office In March of this year, following HFR Board of Directors  approval, HFR ...

Flat Rock Trails Feasibility Study

Flat Rock Trails Feasibility Study

In 2019 the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO) awarded to the Village of Flat Rock a grant for the conducting of a Greenway feasibility study.  The grant funding includes $32,000 from the FBRMPO and $8,000 from the Flat Rock Village...

HFR Inc. Historic District Oversight and Comm. Report July 2020

HFR Inc. Historic District Oversight and Comm. Report July 2020

The Flat Rock Historic District, on the National Register of Historic Places, is the largest historic district in the state of North Carolina covering 6.25 square miles. In 1973 after years of research funded by HFR, recognition of the historical and cultural district...

Captain John and Elizabeth Caulfield Stoney

Captain John and Elizabeth Caulfield Stoney

The 4th of July (Independence Day) is a day of celebrating the birth of our Nation. It’s a day to reflect on brave men fighting for freedom from England’s tyranny. Today, I’m honoring my ancestor John Stoney, born in Tipperary, Ireland to English Protestant...

Lives and locales bound by preservation by Missy Schenck

Lives and locales bound by preservation by Missy Schenck

Anne “Annie” Guerard Coletta was born and raised in Charleston and spent her summers in Flat Rock, North Carolina, where her family has gathered for generations. She is the direct descendant of six former South Carolina governors:  Thomas Smith, Rawlins Lowndes,...

Argyle, since 1830 by Missy Schenck

Argyle, since 1830 by Missy Schenck

Seventh in a series on Flat Rock by the Charleston Mercury Recently, my husband, Sandy, and I had the most delightful visit with Alexander Campbell King III, owner of Argyle in Flat Rock, North Carolina. It was Mr. King’s 91st birthday, so we celebrated in social...

Historic Flat Rock, Inc. Who We Are

Historic Flat Rock, Inc. Who We Are

We have a responsibility to future generations to protect the natural areas that contribute to our quality of life. We believe that preservation is an informed conversation about the relationship between the past and the future. We appreciate landowners who have...

The Preserve and Bird Sanctuary

The Preserve and Bird Sanctuary

The Preserve and Bird Sanctuary came alive in 2019. The kiosk, new bench tops  and three picnic tables were delivered and installed. Funding for all materials was donated by a board member in 2017 and 2018, and the labor to build the tables and a partial kiosk was...

The Cultural Center / Museum – Old Post Office Building

The Cultural Center / Museum – Old Post Office Building

Join us in thanking the volunteers who maintain the Old post Office Building, the landscaping around it, and the interior space. In 2019 J.B. Drake became a NC Master Gardener. He did this as a gift to HFR, Inc. For all who drive Greenville Highway you may have...

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is in a few days on December 3, 2019. No doubt you have received emails from other nonprofits asking for you to go online to donate to them. Historic Flat Rock, Inc. is doing something different for our membership and friends on Giving Tuesday, and the...

A Time for Gratitude

A Time for Gratitude

Many of our Community Partners, members, and property owners have volunteered their time, energy and talents in 2019 to support the mission of  HFR, Inc. This is the time of year to show our appreciation  and give a hearty thank you. Let’s thank those who opened their...

2020 Master Gardener Program Applications

2020 Master Gardener Program Applications

Deadline Approaching for 2020 Master Gardener Program Applications HFR INC and Henderson County’s Extension office are ‘Community Partners’. HFR INC encourages its members and supporters to learn more about The Master Gardener Program.  Henderson County’s Extension...

HFR’s White-Flowering Native Teaching Garden

HFR’s White-Flowering Native Teaching Garden

This new, work-in-progress garden surrounds the recently installed kiosk in HFR’s Preserve and Bird Sanctuary. Why white-flowering? 1. White flowers cool and calm. In a sanctuary, that’s important!2.As dusk falls, colors fade while white pops!3.The bloom color of many...

The Dam House by Jane Izard

The Dam House by Jane Izard

“Flat Rock was one of the places my grandfather was the happiest,” says Frank Maybank. That grandfather, Dr. Joseph Maybank, along with his wife, owned the Dam House at Highland Lake in Flat Rock. Highland Lake and the Maybank, Rhett and Aiken families have a long...

The Little Hill by Jane Izard

The Little Hill by Jane Izard

The Little Hill has “always been a welcome place for everyone,” says Patty Laurens Adams. This beautiful property near the center of Flat Rock has been a part of the Laurens family since 1907. Her great-grandfather, Henry Rutledge Laurens of Charleston, purchased the...

Unchanged Springtime by Ella Oursler

Unchanged Springtime by Ella Oursler

Robert Cuthbert’s book, Flat Rock of the Old Time, takes us on a journey through the largest historic district in all of North Carolina, as reflected in letters penned by the people who founded it. I would like to thank Mr. Cuthbert for generously permitting HFR...

‘Many Pines’ home of many Flat Rock memories by Jane Izard

‘Many Pines’ home of many Flat Rock memories by Jane Izard

“My family has owned this house for over 100 years,” says Langdon Edmunds Oppermann. The house she is referring to is Many Pines, a beautiful complex consisting of a main house and its outbuildings in Flat Rock. Langdon jokingly tells me the house is “constant...

Flat Rock’s Elliott Place by Jane Izard

Flat Rock’s Elliott Place by Jane Izard

“A house should have a purpose, as should all people,” says Marty Whaley Adams Cornwell, Charleston native and nationally recognized artist. She was telling me this when we spoke about her beautiful home in Flat Rock called Elliott Place. She and her mother, Mrs....

The Holy City’s long shadow upon Flat Rock by Jane Izard

The Holy City’s long shadow upon Flat Rock by Jane Izard

Flat Rock or “Little Charleston in the Mountains” is a special place for many Charlestonians, as most readers know; hence, it deserves a series about many of the historic homes dripped in pluff mud. Located 22 miles south of Asheville, this quaint village was “named...

Connemara’s charm, Charleston connections by Jane Izard

Connemara’s charm, Charleston connections by Jane Izard

In the mid 1830s, Charles Memminger of Charleston ventured to Flat Rock is search of a summer home. Unable to find something that he liked, he purchased land and hired an architect to build a large dwelling he named Rock Hill. Today the house is known by a different...

A New Tradition unfolds in Flat Rock

Historic Flat Rock, Inc. has just announced a new program which will reward preservation efforts within the Flat Rock Historic District. Flat Rock, NC is the largest historic district in the state of North Carolina. Within the district you will see homes, businesses,...

Spring Membership Forum Speaker Announced

The Spring Membership Forum brings together members of Historic Flat Rock, Inc. on Saturday, April 6 at Pinecrest Church; doors open at 9:15 AM. Keynote speaker, Jennifer Cathey, will speak on her work at the State Historic Preservation Office at 9:30 AM, followed by...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

As 2018 comes to the finish line it is time to reflect on the past before we move into a new year. As members and friends of HFR, Inc. many of us are curious about the celebration surrounding holidays in times past. Much is written about Flat Rock being...

Master Gardener Volunteer Training January 2019

Master Gardener Volunteer Training January 2019

As you may know, Master Gardeners are NC State University trained volunteers who educate the public about the benefits of gardening. They do this through demonstration projects, classes, public gardens, charitable gardens, and public appearances. Master Gardeners are...

Annual Meeting and Mission Statement

Annual Meeting and Mission Statement

Welcome to Historic Flat Rock,Inc. Historic Flat Rock, Inc. was founded in 1968. In 1973, as one of its first significant preservation actions, Historic Flat Rock, Inc. was instrumental in having 6.25 square miles of Flat Rock placed on the US Department of Interior,...

July is an Exciting Month of Fun and Events

July is an Exciting Month of Fun and Events

July Cultural Center / Museum Hours Saturday July 7 from 11:00am - 3:00pm Thursday July 12 from 11:00am - 3:00pm Saturday July 14 from 11:00am - 3:00pm Thursday July 19 from 11:00 - 3:00pm Friday July 20 from 11:00 - 3:00pm Saturday July 21 from 8:30am - 1:00pm...

Book Club Meetings Resume – 2nd Wed of the Month – May to November

Book Club Meetings Resume – 2nd Wed of the Month – May to November

Thank you to all who participated in the May Book Club Meeting. We read Madness Rules the Hour - Charleston, 1860 and the Mania  for War - Paul Starobin. Our October 2017 selection was ‘Flat Rock of the Old Time’ - Letters from the Mountains to the Lowcountry,...

50th Anniversary Tour of Historic Flat Rock Homes

50th Anniversary Tour of Historic Flat Rock Homes

Tickets can be purchased at the Cultural Center/Museum on July 21 from 8:30am-1pm in the Historic Flat Rock Old Post Office located on Greenville Hwy next to the Flat Rock Village Hall. (Parking is available at the Flat Rock Village Hall.) Additionally, starting at...

Visiting Our Past: Flat Rock’s antebellum Golden Age by Rob Neufeld

Visiting Our Past: Flat Rock’s antebellum Golden Age by Rob Neufeld

Photo Above: A historic driveway on North Highland Lake Road, threatened by NCDOT road-widening plans, displays a “Don’t Urbanize Flat Rock” sign, part of an effort by Flat Rock’s Cultural Landscape Group (clgflatrock.org) to persuade the village to vote down the road...

Preserve And Bird Sanctuary Clean Up

Preserve And Bird Sanctuary Clean Up

Preserve And Bird Sanctuary Cleanup April 7, 2018 | 1 - 2:30 PM Our first clean up day was February 27, 2018. The trails were cleared, brush removed, and perimeter clean up started. Thank you to those who participated! The next work date is Saturday March 31, 2018...

Volunteer Orientation Classes 2018

Volunteer Orientation Classes 2018

Volunteer Orientation Classes 2018 Historic Flat Rock, Inc. Cultural Center / Museum This is the time of year when many people resolve to give more time in service to the community. Those who are interested in history, interacting with people and have a few hours to...

Cricket Crigler Genealogy Workshop

Cricket Crigler Genealogy Workshop

Cricket Crigler Geneology Workshop April 05, 2018 | 1 – 2:30 PM Interested in your family history? You may have attended the first Cricket Crigler genealogy workshop last fall. Did you miss it? Don’t miss out on this next discussion ! Cricket is not only one smart...