The Hugh Torance House and Store, at 8231 Gilead Road, Huntersville, is one of Mecklenburg County’s only surviving 18th century structures, and is North Carolina’s oldest surviving store. The building was the home of Hugh and Isabella Torance. The log cabin was first built in 1780, with additions built through the early 1800s. The building served as both a store and a home.
Read on to learn more about the historic property, or jump to the list of upcoming events.
Also on the property is Cedar Grove, the 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torrance, who was the son of Hugh and Isabella Torance. Some of the planned events take place at Cedar Grove, 8229 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC.
James Torrance ran the dry goods store, starting in 1805. The store appears much the same as it did in 1805, and you can even shop at it. It’s open on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m., and you can buy sodas and snacks, as well as items produced by local artisans, like candles, honey and soap.
Today the property is operated by a nonprofit with the goal of learning and sharing the history of the site.
Tours are available on most Sundays at 2 p.m. Both admission and tours are free. Please RSVP if you’d like to take a tour.
On the tour, which is excellent, you’ll explore the various rooms of the building, learn the history of the Torance family and the site and interesting details about the construction of the house. Costumed interpreters pay special attention to the history of the enslaved people who lived and worked there.
HEARTS Park encompasses both the Hugh Torance House and Store and Cedar Grove. The HEARTS Park program is key to the offerings at the property. Each letter of HEARTS stands for part of the mission and programming:
- History: Connect to the stories and history of this land, from prehistory to the present.
- Ecology: Learn about native plants.
- Arts: HEARTS events feature live music (Cedar Groove,) poetry, historical reenactments and modern artistic interpretations.
- Reunion: The Reunion project was created to collect and share stories of all the people connected to the site throughout time, including formerly enslaved people and indigenous people. (See more about this, below.)
- Trails: The site is next to the McDowell Greenway, which is planned to continue north as part of the Carolina Thread Trail.
- Store: The store is the hub for all the activities, and you can even shop for refreshments and sundries, as well as the wares of local artisans.
The Reunion Project focuses on genealogy. The mission of the program is to connect descendants of the land. It’s often difficult for descendants of enslaved people to learn about their ancestry, due to lack of records. The Reunion Project is working to build collections that will help. The Reunion Project is also gathering information about the indigenous people who lived on this land for thousands of years.
If you think that you have ancestors connected with a plantation in Mecklenburg County or nearby area, and you’d like to be a part of the Reunion Project, please feel out this form.
Upcoming Events at Hugh Torance House and Store
HEARTS Winter Wisdom
Saturday, December 7, 2024
2 to 5 p.m.
Cedar Grove, 8229 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC
Free, but donations appreciated (tickets at above link)
Welcome back Margaret “Chuck” Basinger, who grew up in Cedar Grove and is the great-great-great granddaughter of Hugh Torance. She’ll share her memories growing up in the house, what has changed, and what’s remained the same.
Basinger will also have her book ‘Tis the Season with Belle and Chuck on hand for purchase and signing too. Live music, winter nature tips, local art, and mulled hot wine and cider, make this HEARTS event a seasonal treat.
HEARTS December event is the final month to view the visual art exhibit, “Land, Sea, and Sky” in Cedar Grove’s Center Hall. This exhibit features the works of Pam Imhof and Oluwanbe Amodu in collaboration with visual arts partner Nine-Eighteen-Nine Studio.
Also on exhibit is the Tool Exhibit from last month’s HEARTS Harvest event, “Down on the Farm.” Come and explore the many unique and beautiful historic tools on display from Cedar Grove and surrounding farms.
Traditional Holiday Craft Day
Sunday, December 8, 2024
1 to 4 p.m.
Hugh Torance House and Store
8231 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC
Free, but donations appreciated (tickets at above link)
This year guests can make and take home two crafts: an orange clove pomander and a Christmas ornament. Did you know the pomander was traditionally used as an early air freshener? Yes, the pomander dates back to the mid-13th century, when it was believed that the good scents of a pomander would protect the carrier from the “evil airs” of the plague. Through the centuries this evolved into a jewelry-like ornament carried by the wealthy, and eventually to the orange and clove creation we know today. The pomander provided a pleasant whiff to shield the many unpleasant odors one might encounter in those early days. Through the years, the orange pomander became popular as a holiday decoration and if dried properly can last for decades. The second craft is a decoupage Christmas ornament featuring vintage holiday images and the Hugh Torance House and Store. Both crafts are suitable for all ages.
18th Century Feast and Caroling Event
Sunday, December 15, 2024
1 to 4 p.m.
Hugh Torance House and Store
8231 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC
Free, but donations appreciated (tickets at above link)
Gather at the Hugh Torance House and Store as Foodways Historian, Susie Worchester, shares stories around the campfire about 18th-century holiday food traditions. Caroling and tasty treats make this Sunday afternoon a memorable occasion to put anyone in a holiday mood!
Tour the House and Store
Every Sunday, scheduled through November 24, 2024
2 p.m.
Hugh Torance House and Store
8231 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC
Free, but donations appreciated (tickets at above link)
Step back in time to 1779 and explore the Hugh Torance House and Store and grounds. The historic Hugh Torance House and Store is the oldest standing store in NC and one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures. The site is also adjacent to Cedar Grove, the National Register brick 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torrance, son of Hugh and Isabella Torance. This is a free tour but donations are most welcome.
Learn about upcoming events and register.
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