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Historic Village of Flat Rock - Flat The community of Flat Rock began when affluent Charlestonians, Europeans and prominent plantation owners of the South's low country built large summer estates in the English manner. The families of South Carolina's Low Country came to Flat Rock to escape the sweltering heat and the epidemic of yellow fever and malaria. South Carolina's Low Country gentry affectionately called Flat Rock The Little Charleston of the Mountains.
The entire district of Flat Rock is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Historic Flat Rock Incorporated is striving to preserve the feeling of the Old South. Historic Flat Rock is home to several attractions such as: The Flat Rock Playhouse, State Theatre of NC; the Carl Sandburg Home, NHS; St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church and the Historic Woodfield Inn as well as many unique specialty shops and enterprises. Flat Rock Merchants |
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Flat Rock Playhouse, State Theatre of North Carolina was founded in 1952 by Robroy Farquhar and his Company of Vagabond Players. What began as a few weeks of summer performances is now an eight month season of plays including world premieres and standard Broadway musicals, comedy, drama, and youth theatre. In 1961 by a Act of the North Carolina General Assembly, Flat Rock Playhouse was officially designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. In addition to presenting top quality productions, Flat Rock Playhouse, operated by The Vagabond School of the Drama, Inc., is committed to teaching the performing arts. The YouTheatre program hosts over 600 students annually and instructs students ranging from kindergarten to high school seniors. Apprentice and Intern programs are designed to prepare college and post graduate students for a career in theatre
The Playhouse is considered one "Top Ten Theaters in the Country." The Flat Rock Playhouse has presented hundreds of productions. A wonderful escape from life's hectic pace, the Playhouse offers quality entertainment rarely found so far from Broadway. The Playhouse is open from mid-May through mid-October, plus holiday productions, presenting matinees and evening performances Wednesday through Sunday. For additional information or a schedule of productions call (828) 693-0731 or 866-732-8008, 2661 Greenville Hwy. (Hwy. 225 South), Flat Rock, NC. www.flatrockplayhouse.org |
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Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Carl Sandburg, American poet, historian, author, and lecturer spent the final 22 years of his long and productive life at his estate, Connemara, in Flat Rock, NC. Today this National Historic Site offers a keen insight on Mr. Sandburg, his family and their 264 acre working farm. The Sandburg Home was built in 1838 and now houses his collection of 10,000 books, notes and papers. The home offers daily tours and is closed only on Christmas Day. There are numerous hiking trails and a functional goat barn, where Mrs. Sandburg raised her prize winning goats.
Admission is charged only for guided tours of the home. Access to the trails, grounds, barns and public areas are free of charge. The Park is open from 9am -5 pm, 7 days a week. Closed on Christmas day. For additional information call (828) 693-4178, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane (located off Little River Rd.), Flat Rock, NC. http://www.nps.gov/carl |
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St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, offers a unique perspective of prominent families in southern and national history. St. John in the Wilderness was built as a private chapel in 1833, on the grounds of Charles and Susan Barings' home, Mountain Lodge. The church was deeded to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina in 1936.
Many well-known members of southern aristocracy have family plots in the churchyard; those names include: Christopher Memminger, first secretary of the Confederate treasury; Rev. John Drayton, developer of the world-famous Magnolia Gardens of Charleston; members of the families of three signers of the Declaration of Independence; Edward P. King, the World War II General who led the infamous Bataan death march. The church and graveyard are open Tues. - Sun. from 9am-4pm for visitation. The church is located on 1895 Greenville Hwy. (Hwy. 225 South) in Flat Rock. For additional information call the church at (828) 693-9783. http://www.stjohnflatrock.org/ |
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The Historic Woodfield Inn was built in 1852, on 28 rolling acres as The Farmers Hotel. The Inn served as the first stage coach stop along the Old Indian Trail. During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers were garrisoned at the Inn to protect the Flat Rock community. Confederate soldiers hid gold and jewelry from Union Troops and renegades in a secret room that is still accessible from one of the second story rooms. Written on the inside wall of the secret room is reportedly the formula for making gun powder.
After the turn of the century, the Inn was sold and renamed the Woodfield Inn. The Inn has been entered into the National Register of Historic Places. The Inn is located on Hwy. 225 South, Flat Rock. The Inn is currently closed.
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