Past Events

At the Highlands Historical Society.

524 N. 4th Street
Highlands, NC 28741

Join the Highlands Historical Society for the opening of the museum for the season from 11:00 - 1:00 on Saturday, May 25th. Music will be performed by Laney and Bishop. Free hot dogs, chips and beverages will be available while they last. Come explore all of our exhibits and tour the Prince House - Highlands’ oldest standing residence.

Flowers will be accepted at the Bascom Saturday September 9th from 8:00-10:00. The registration fee is $20 for up to 8 blooms. Upon arrival there will be volunteers to assist you.  Enter your blooms, and you could win “Best of Show.”

View more information about this competition

Dahlias and native plants, arranged attractively at historical sites around town.

View Information about the Festival

At The Bascom: Center for the Visual Arts

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Dahlias and native plants arranged attractively at historical sites around town.

Click Here for More Information

A Day Camp for children (Ages 11-13)

Learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century.

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A Day Camp for children (Ages 8-10 )

Learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century.

For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Dahlias and native plants arranged attractively at historical sites around town.

Click Here For Entries for the 11th Annual Dahlia Festival

Dahlias and native plants will be arranged attractively at historical sites around town.

View 10th Annual Dahlia Festival Page

Highlands Civic Center
Dahlias and native plants will be arranged attractively at historical sites around town

A Day Camp for children (8–11 years)

Learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century.

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"Dulcimers, Denim, & Dedication" (Dedication of the Prince House National Register Plaque folowed by the Dahlia Patron Party) at the Highlands 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.

Highlands Civic Center
In September of 2011 the Historical Society staged its first Dahlia Festival. This fundraiser has evolved into a very popular annual event, where amateur and professional dahlia enthusiasts compete on an equal basis to celebrate the beauty and enjoyment of these gorgeous flowers that grow so well in our beautiful mountains.

All dahlia aficionados are urged to join in the competition. Prizes will be presented in multiple categories. Don’t be concerned; this is not a serious competition. Come and bring your blooms to share with other dahlia lovers.

"Appalachian Dinner" at The Inn At Half Mile Farm, sponsored by OEI.

"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

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.

A Day Camp for children (8–11 years)
Learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century

Dazzling Dahlias!
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
Thursday, September 8 @ 6:30 pm
Highlands Falls Country Club

Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park
Corner of 5th and Pine streets

A Day Camp for children (8–11 years)
Learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century

Visit the Historical Museum, Prince House, & Bug Hill.
Listen to the old-time and bluegrass music of the WellStrung Band.
Enjoy light refreshments & companionship. 

Dazzling Dahlias!
Amateur - Proffesional
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 on Thursday, September 10 @ 6:30pm

A Day Camp for children (8–11 years)
Learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century

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

Dedication of the Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park
Corner of 5th and Pine Streets

Dazzling Dahlias!
Amateur - Professional

Highlands Recreation Center

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.

A Day Camp for children (8–11 years)
Learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century

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

Dazzling Dahlias!
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.

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.

A Day Camp for children (8–11 years)
Learning & experiencing Highlands history and life in the late 19th century

Don Wells, President of the Mountain Stewards, will give two talks about (1) Indian Trail Trees and (2) Native American Culture, Spirituality, and Wisdom.

6 - 7:15pm

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

Highlands Recreation Center
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.

Promotional Benefit for the Highlands Motoring Festival

(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.

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

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.

Museums-in-Partnership Meeting for Western North Carolina

Presentation on Archival Techniques,
includes tour of Highlands Historical Museum and Archives, the oldest home in town, and a cottage from the State's oldest sanatorium

Five days of interactive sessions
devoted to learning about life in 19th-century Highlands, including life stories of some of its earliest residents.

Amateur - Hobbyist

Highlands Historic Village
All dahlia enthusiasts were urged to join in the competition. Prizes were presented in multiple categories. This was not a serious competition. It was to celebrate the beauty and enjoyment of these gorgeous flowers that grow so well in our beautiful mountains.
(Exhibitor fee was $10.)

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(formerly A Walk in the Park)
Road Builders of Early Highlands
will celebrate Samuel Kelsey, Celia Hill, John Jay Smith,
Herman Wilson, Florence Ravenel, and Prioleau Ravenel, Jr.
(Tickets are $10 each, students free)

Events Garden of the Highlands Historic Village
Park your car at the Recreation Center.
Refreshments 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Performing Arts Center
on Chestnut Street

Friday-Saturday
June 24-25
6:00 - 7:30 pm
(single performance)

June 26
Sunday 4:00 - 5:15 pm

15% of your meal's cost
will be donated to the Highlands Historical Society

Lakeside Restaurant
Smallwood Avenue

Homes in the Highlands Country Club area
including Cobb Road and North Cobb

Take the shuttle from the Community Building near the Ball Park.
(Last shuttle leaves at 3:00 pm)

Honoring all current and former Scouts of Highlands

Grand Opening
of a new Boy Scout exhibit at the Museum

Early Highlands Women Speak from the Grave
will celebrate Mary Amanda Davis, Charlotte "Charlie" Elliott, Corinne Froneberger, Martha Norton "Mat" Gottwals, Eléonore Raoul Green, Vinetta Norton Rice, & Albertina Staub.

Highlands Memorial Cemetery
Friday & Saturday, take the shuttle from the Recreation Park.
(Last shuttle leaves at 7:30 pm)

Performing Arts Center
on Chestnut Street

Friday-Saturday
June 25-26
6 - 7:30 pm

June 27
Sunday, 4 pm

Two months of interactive sessions
devoted to learning about life in 19th-century Highlands, including lifestories of some of the earliest residents.

Thursdays

The Downing/Stewart/Michael House, ca. 1889
after the 11:00 am Christmas parade
on Saturday and on Sunday

Dec. 5 (Saturday)
1-4:30 pm
& Dec. 6 (Sunday)
1-4:30 pm

Homes in East Highlands

Take the shuttle from the Civic Center.
(Last shuttle leaves at 3:00 pm)

Highlands Pioneers Speak from the Grave
The tenth anniversary of Walk in the Park
will celebrate Samuel Kelsey, Baxter White, Margaretta Ravenel, Henry Bascom, Mary Chapin Smith, Dr. Mary Lapham, and Prof. Thomas Harbison.

Highlands Memorial Cemetery
Take the shuttle from the Recreation Park.
(Last shuttle leaves at 7:30 pm)

Performing Arts Center
on Chestnut Street

Friday-Saturday
June 26-27
6 - 7:30 pm

June 28
Sunday, 4 pm

A Joe Webb House on Satulah
after the 11:00 am Christmas parade

Dec. 6 (Saturday)
1-5 pm
& Dec. 7 (Sunday)
1-5 pm

The Clemson Colony in Highlands
(including two Joe Webb Cabins)

Take the shuttle from the Civic Center.
(Last shuttle leaves at 3:00 pm)

"The Early Highlanders: A Visual Record"
Dr. Randolph Shaffner, Archivist

Early Highlands Artists Speak from the Grave
featuring Louis Zoellner, Henry Scadin, Huger Elliott, Louise Bascom Barratt, Almetta Picklesimer Brooks, Polly Knipp Hill, and Fred Allen

Highlands Memorial Cemetery
Take the shuttle from the Poplar Street Conference Center.

Performing Arts Center
on Chestnut Street

Friday-Saturday
June 20-21
6 - 7:30 pm

June 22
Sunday, 4 pm

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

A Joe Webb log cabin
built for N. T. Ragland in 1925
Take the shuttle from the Civic Center

Dec. 1 (Saturday)
1-5 pm
& Dec. 2 (Sunday)
1-5 pm

Class on the History of Highlands at the Historical Museum. Randolph Shaffner, Archivist

HIGHLANDS, N. C. . . . THE EARLY YEARS

Homes in the Bowery-Playmore Historic District

Take the shuttle from the Recreation Park

Richard Gantt, UNC-G Department of Art

Early Highlanders Speak from the Grave

Highlands Memorial Cemetery
Take shuttle from the Conference Center

Performing Arts Center
on Chestunut Street

Friday-Saturday
June 29-30
6-7:30pm

Sunday, July 1
4:00pm

Randolph Shaffner, Archivist

MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION
and Open House

Some of the many visitors who have enjoyed a walk into the past at the Prince House

Class on the History of Highlands at the Historical Museum. Randolph Shaffner, Archivist

Introduction to the Highlands Historical Museum

Homes at the Highlands Country Club

Early Highlanders Speak from the Grave

Highlands Memorial Park

View Event Photos

Randolph Shaffner, Archivist