December offers much to enjoy at historic Cedar Grove and the Hugh Torance House and Store. The Hugh Torance House and Store offers weekly immersive, traditional,18th-century holiday experiences, while next door at Cedar Grove, the December 9th HEARTS Happening promises an afternoon of history, nature, music, and art, featuring celebrated author David Fleming, whose new book offers a fresh take on the legendary Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. All events are free and open to the community. Tickets are available at www.hught.org.
In addition, keep the Store in mind for gifts and stocking stuffers, unique local crafts, honey, and regional history books, including signed copies of David Fleming's new book!
Christmas at the Hugh Torance House and Store
Step back in time to 1779 on the first three Sundays in December at the Hugh Torance House and Store in Huntersville, NC. Enjoy tours at 1:00 or 3:00 PM of the oldest standing store in NC along with these special holiday events detailed below. Please Click here for tickets. Donations are appreciated.
December 3rd
Hanging of the Greens
We hope you can join us to learn and create traditional, natural festive decorations as we decorate for the holiday season.
December 10th
Holiday Crafting
Join us for this seasonal treat with holiday crafting at the Hugh Torance House and Store.
December 17th
Carols & Feasting
Experience 18th-century Christmas food and song at the Hugh Torance House and Store. Our Historic Foodways Team will cook an 18th-century meal over an open fire. Join in singing traditional carols in the Federal-addition parlor.
December 9th
HEARTS Winter Wisdom at Cedar Grove
Music, history, and art lovers, mark your calendars for this 2023 finale' event!
Did a feisty group of Mecklenburg County patriots really beat Thomas Jefferson to the punch and declare independence in 1775? Join us from 2:00 - 5:00 PM on Saturday, December 9th, for the December HEARTS Happening at Huntersville’s historic Cedar Grove, where acclaimed writer David Fleming tells the Meck Dec story like you’ve never heard it before.
David Fleming is a senior writer at ESPN, and for the last three decades has written major features and cover stories for Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and ESPN The Magazine. In his new book, Who’s Your Founding Father: One Man’s Epic Quest to Uncover the First, True Declaration of Independence, Fleming tackles the Meck Dec story in the entertaining and often-irreverent style that has become his signature. Fleming will share new evidence discovered in his pursuit of the truth, and his fresh approach to this age-old debate will make this event perfect for Meck Dec boosters, Meck Dec doubters, and the Meck Dec curious. A book signing will follow his presentation.
“Fleming leaves no archive, cemetery, bizarre clue, conspiracy theory, or wild character unexplored as he travels the globe and shines new light on one of the most fantastic, important—and controversial—stories in American history.”
Local music is a tradition at every HEARTS happening and this month our special guest is David Childers and The Serpents. Born and raised in Mt. Holly, N.C., David Childers has written hundreds of songs and recorded nearly 20 albums on various record labels. David and his band, The Serpents, have played extensively in N.C., Va., and Tenn. for more than 20 years. They have played numerous festivals such as MerleFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, AmericanaFest, Albino Skunk Fest, McMenamins Great Northwest Music Tour, Avetts at the Beach, Mountain Stage, and more. Don’t miss this chance to hear a local legend in this intimate and engaging venue.
Robert Childers, David's son, and drummer for the Serpents, is this month's featured visual artist. Robert's surreal and dreamlike paintings will be featured in Cedar Grove’s hallway.
During the event, the adjacent Hugh Torance House and Store will be open offering crafts, snacks, beverages, sundries, and more. The Hugh Torance House and Store is one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures and is adjacent to Cedar Grove, the 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torrance, son of Hugh and Isabella Torance. Cedar Grove opens its doors for HEARTS (history, ecology, arts, reunion, trails, store) Happenings, monthly community gatherings featuring music, visual arts, and lectures exploring local history, nature, and our shared sense of place. HEARTS Winter Wisdom ‘23 is free to the community with tickets available on the Events page at www.HughT.org. Donations are appreciated.
This event is made possible by dedicated volunteers, HEARTS Circle members, Lake Norman Realty, and community donations. All proceeds benefit HTHS’s efforts to further the HEARTS mission of historic preservation, ecological conservation, and forging community connections in our region.
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