CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Throughout the year, the Highlands Historical Society offers a variety of programs related to Highlands history. Members and visitors are invited to the following events:
EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR 2020
| HIGHLANDS HISTORICAL MUSEUM |
Normally Open From End of May Until End of October: Thursdays - Saturdays. |
CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO THE HEALTH CRISIS |
| KELSEY KIDS Highlands history for children. |
A Day Camp for children (8–11 years) learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century. |
CANCELED THIS YEAR DUE TO THE HEALTH CRISIS |
| 10th Annual Dahlia Festival | Vignettes of dahlias and native plants. $25 entrance fee due by August 20th. Email Kim Daugherty or Lisa Dailey for information or questions. |
Friday & Saturday Sept. 19 & 20 Dahlias and native plants will be arranged attractively at historical sites around town |
Check out our Highlands Historical Society Fall 2020 newsletter
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
EVENTS HELD in 2019
| KELSEY KIDS Highlands history for children. Download Kelsey Kids Application here. No charge. |
A Day Camp for children (8–11 years) learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century. |
Monday-Friday June 24-28 8:30 am - 12:00 noon |
| SOCIAL EVENT OF THE SEASON on Kettle Rock Mountain Sunday, August 18th 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. |
3rd BIG HATS, BOW TIES, & FLAPJACKS Annie Linn Armor of Kettle Rock used to hold a flapjack and Bloody Mary party in the 1950s. We'll hear her story, see her griddle, and enjoy the panoramic view on Kettle Rock Mountain. Donation $100 per patron
| 9th Annual Dahlia Festival Saturday, Sept. 8, 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Highlands Civic Center $5 entrance fee at the door $15 exhibitor fee Park car at Recreation Center. |
Check out our Highlands Historical Society Winter 2018 newsletter
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
EVENTS HELD IN 2017
| KELSEY KIDS Highlands history for children. Download Kelsey Kids Application here. No charge. |
A Day Camp for children (8–11 years) learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century. |
Monday-Friday June 12-16 9:00am-3:00pm |
THE VITTLES OF SUMMER 2017
Four events beginning in July and ending with our Dahlia Festival Weekend will be held at historic sites. Most will have a representative from the Highlands Historical Society to interpret their connection to our community. We hope these events will attract many of our local and seasonal residents. We'll offer good food, fine libations, and many stories about our town's history that you may not know....wars, ghosts and much more!!!!! |
(1) Big Hats, Flapjacks & Bloody Marys, will be held on
Kettle Rock with dialogue about Annie Lynn Sullivan, who used to host the
same Sunday Brunches many years ago. (July 2)
(2) "Party at Old Howell Barn," a quaint 80-year-old stone barn is the setting for a Highlands pulled pork BBQ dinner complete with all the fixin’s and full array of beverages at Highlands Country Club home of Frances and Obie Oakley (Aug. 1) (3) "Appalachian Dinner" at The Inn At Half Mile Farm, sponsored by OEI. (Aug 8) (4) "Dulcimers, Denim, & Dedication" (Dedication of the Prince House National Register Plaque folowed by the Dahlia Patron Party) at the Highlands Historic Village. (Sept. 14) | Thursday's Events (September 14) at Historic Village Open House for the Prince House 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. National Register Dedication 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. Patron Party 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. |
Dazzling Dahlia Festival | 8th Annual Dahlia Festival Saturday, Sept. 8, 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Highlands Civic Center $5 entrance fee at the door $15 exhibitor fee Park car at Recreation Center. |
Check out our Highlands Historical Society Winter 2017 newsletter
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
EVENTS HELD IN 2016
| OPEN HOUSE Visit the Historical Museum, Prince House, & Bug Hill. Listen to the old-time and bluegrass music of the WellStrung Band. Enjoy light refreshments & companionship. |
Highlands Historic Village 524 N. 4th Street |
Saturday May 28 2:00pm-4:00pm |
| FOUNDERS PARK DAY Celebrate our Nation's history. |
Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park Corner of 5th and Pine streets |
Monday July 4 2:00pm-4:00pm |
| KELSEY KIDS Highlands history for children. Download Kelsey Kids Application here. Or email Linda David at lindawd@hcgexpress.net No charge. |
A Day Camp for children (8–11 years) learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century. |
Monday-Friday June 13-17 9:00am-3:00pm |
| DAZZLING DAHLIAS! Highlands' 6th Annual Dahlia Festival Amateur - Professional All dahlia enthusiasts are urged to join in the competition. Prizes will be presented in multiple categories. Don’t be concerned; this is not a serious competition. It is to celebrate the beauty and enjoyment of these gorgeous flowers that grow so well in our beautiful mountains. Come and bring your blooms to share with other dahlia lovers. | Patron Party at Highlands Falls Country Club Dahlia Festival at Highlands Recreation Center Park your car at the Recreation Center. |
Patron Party Thursday September 8 6:30 pm Festival Saturday September 10 1:00-5:00 pm |
Check out our Highlands Historical Society Spring 2016 newsletter
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
EVENTS HELD IN 2015
| DEDICATION OF THE KELSEY-HUTCHINSON FOUNDERS PARK |
Corner of 5th and Pine Streets | Saturday May 30 10:00 a.m. ff. |
| HIGHLANDS HISTORICAL MUSEUM SPECIAL EXHIBIT A Botanical History of the Highlands Plateau: In the Footsteps of the Ancients Created by the Land Stewards of the Highlands Plateau in collaboration with the Highlands Historical Society, this exhibit is open for viewing June through October. |
Highlands Historical Museum in the Highlands Historic Village |
Fridays & Saturdays 10:00-4:00 |
| KELSEY KIDS Highlands history for children. No charge. |
A Day Camp for children (8–11 years) learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century. |
Monday-Friday June 15-19 9:00-3:00 |
| DAZZLING DAHLIAS! Highlands' 5th Annual Dahlia Festival Amateur - Professional All dahlia enthusiasts are urged to join in the competition. Prizes will be presented in multiple categories. Don’t be concerned; this is not a serious competition. It is to celebrate the beauty and enjoyment of these gorgeous flowers that grow so well in our beautiful mountains. Come and bring your blooms to share with other dahlia lovers. Public admission $5 at the door. Patron ticket $125. Exhibitor fee $10. |
Highlands Recreation Center Park your car at the Recreation Center. |
Patron Party Thursday September 10 6:30 pm Festival Saturday September 12 1:00-5:00 pm |
Check out our Highlands Historical Society Winter 2014 newsletter
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
or see past newsletters in the Newsletters tab above.
EVENTS HELD IN 2014
| HIGHLANDS HISTORICAL MUSEUM SPECIAL EXHIBIT A Botanical History of the Highlands Plateau: In the Footsteps of the Ancients Created by the Land Stewards of the Highlands Plateau in collaboration with the Highlands Historical Society this exhibit is open for viewing June through October. |
Highlands Historical Museum in the Highlands Historic Village |
Fridays & Saturdays 10:00-4:00 |
| KELSEY KIDS No charge. |
A Day Camp for children (8–11 years) learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century. |
Monday-Friday June 23-27 9:00-3:00 |
| DAZZLING DAHLIAS! Highlands' 4th Annual Dahlia Festival Amateur - Professional All dahlia enthusiasts are urged to join in the competition. Prizes will be presented in multiple categories. Don’t be concerned; this is not a serious competition. It is to celebrate the beauty and enjoyment of these gorgeous flowers that grow so well in our beautiful mountains. Come and bring your blooms to share with other dahlia lovers. Public admission $5 at the door. Speaker: Ann Maxwell Patron ticket $100. Exhibitor fee $10. |
Highlands Recreation Center Park your car at the Recreation Center. |
Patron Party Thursday September 18 6:30 pm Festival Saturday September 20 1:00-5:00 pm |
EVENTS HELD IN 2013
| HIGHLANDS HISTORICAL MUSEUM Open May 24-26 (Memorial Weekend) through November 1-2 |
Highlands Historic Village | Fridays-Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm Sundays 1 - 4 pm |
| HIGHLANDS MOTORING FESTIVAL | Highlands Recreation Center | Friday June 6-9 |
| DEDICATION OF THE N. C. HIGHWAY HISTORICAL MARKER HONORING ANDRÉ MICHAUX The French botanist André Michaux made his first foray into North Carolina and the North American wilderness when he camped near modern Highlands on June 15, 1787. |
West Main Street (US 64/NC 28) Reception afterwards at Highlands Historic Village |
Saturday June 15 11 am |
| RECEPTION FOR THE RESTORATION OF DR. MARY LAPHAM'S DRESS Funded by the Cullasaja Women's Outreach |
Highlands Historical Museum | Thursday June 20 5:30 - 7:30 pm |
| INDIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE TALKS "Mystery of the Trees" "In the Presence of the Elders" Don Wells, President of the Mountain Stewards, will give two talks about (1) Indian Trail Trees and (2) Native American Culture, Spirituality, and Wisdom. (Tickets are $10 each for each performance, students free) |
Highlands Historical Museum Park your car at the Recreation Center. |
Friday-Saturday June 28-29 6 -7:15 pm |
| KELSEY KIDS Highlands history for children No charge. |
A Day Camp for children (8 – 11 years) learning & experiencing Highlands History and life in the late 19th century. |
July 15-19 9 am - 3 pm |
| THE MYSTERY OF GEORGE MASA SOLVED A celebration of 100 photographs by George Masa on display in the Frank Cook Gallery at the Highlands Historical Museum. Audio-visual presentation by Dr. Ran Shaffner. |
Highlands Historical Museum Park your car at the Museum or the Recreation Center. |
Friday July 19 7 pm |
| DAZZLING DAHLIAS DISPLAY | Hudson Library | Opening September 3 |
| DAZZLING DAHLIAS! Highlands' 3rd Annual Dahlia Festival Amateur - Professional All dahlia enthusiasts are urged to join in the competition. Prizes will be presented in multiple categories. Don’t be concerned; this is not a serious competition. It is to celebrate the beauty and enjoyment of these gorgeous flowers that grow so well in our beautiful mountains. Come and bring your blooms to share with other dahlia lovers. Public admission $5 at the door. Patron ticket $100. Exhibitor fee $10. |
Highlands Recreation Center Park your car at the Recreation Center. |
Saturday September 14 1 - 5 pm |
EVENTS HELD IN 2012
| KELSEY KIDS Highlands history for children |
Five days of interactive sessions devoted to learning about life in 19th-century Highlands, including field trips to Foxfire, Highlands Country Club, a chicken farm, a hike on the Ranger Trail, and demonstrations of crafts, milking, dogging, mountain music, and more. Lunch will be served daily. |
June 11-15 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| HISTORY LIVE! (formerly A Walk in the Park) Our Mountains and the People Who Named Them will celebrate Herman Alley, Billy "Dismal" Barnes, Lilla Nourse, Mack Wilson, Rising Fawn, Julia Dryman, and Jule Phillips and feature Whiteside, Big and Little Fodderstacks, Big and Little Bearpen, Queen and King mountains, Satulah, Scaly, and Shortoff and Yellow. (Tickets are $10 each, students free) |
Events Garden of the Highlands Historic Village Park your car at the Recreation Center. Performing Arts Center on Chestnut Street |
Friday-Saturday June 22-23 6:00 - 7:15 pm (single performance each evening) Sunday, June 24 4:00 - 5:15 pm |
| WINE & CHEESE FESTIVAL Promotional Benefit for the Highlands Motoring Festival Contribution $15 |
Highlands Historic Village Park your car at the Recreation Center or the Sweet Treats parking lot. |
Friday July 13 5:00 - 7:00 pm |
| DAZZLING DAHLIAS! Highlands' 2nd Annual Dahlia Festival Amateur - Hobbyist All dahlia enthusiasts are urged to join in the competition. Prizes will be presented in multiple categories. Don’t be concerned; this is not a serious competition. It is to celebrate the beauty and enjoyment of these gorgeous flowers that grow so well in our beautiful mountains. Come and bring your blooms to share with other dahlia lovers. (Exhibitor fee $10.) |
Highlands Recreation Center Park your car at the Recreation Center. |
Saturday September 17 1:00 - 5:00 pm |
| Buisness After Hours Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce for networking opportunities in a low-pressure setting |
Highlands Historic Village Park your car at the Historic Village or the Recreation Center parking lot. |
Thursday October 4 5:30 - 7:30 pm |
| Highlands Arts & Craft Show Books and objects relating to Highlands history on sale at the Highlands Woman’s Club’s Annual Arts and Craft Show |
Highlands Civic Center Park your car at the Recreation Center parking lot. |
Saturday October 13 9:00 - 5:00 pm |
