HEARTS Happenings & Updates
History, nature, and musical highlights from “HEARTS Let Freedom Spring” and Creatures of the Spring Contest Winners
HEARTS Collaborative’s first annual Creatures of the Spring Community Art Exhibit and Contest on May 24, 2025, was a huge success. The art show was held in conjunction with the May ‘25 HEARTS Happening entitled, “Let Freedom Spring,” marking the 250th anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. It all took place at Pioneer Springs Community School, near the location of Freedom Spring, the legendary birthplace of that document. Check out photos and details.
Junion ‘25
Details and Tickets
On June 14th, 2025, our 4th anniversary of Junion features Co-Chair of HEARTS Reunion Project and SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) member Andre’ Kearns, who’ll share his journey of discovering his Revolutionary War roots through Henry Johnston of Long Creek, live music, dance, and a new art exhibit. Details and tickets.
Brevard’s Chapel Update
Thanks to our community partners, Lowe’s and Foothill Conservation, the interior of Brevard’s Chapel now reveals its original heartpine planks. These partners recently removed the late 20th-century layers inside the chapel, revealing the incredible historic interior.
We've also held a recent community meeting with congregation members and their descendants, listening to their memories and hopes for the future of Brevard's Chapel. This provided invaluable insight to connect the important history of this building with its future.
A scope of work and budget are the next steps currently in the works. We will keep you updated on this important project.
Thank you to our community supporters and for the ongoing collaboration of HEARTS, Lincoln Landmarks, Lincoln County Historical Association, Preservation NC, Preserve Mecklenburg, Lincoln County Historic Commission, and the United Methodist Church to save historic Brevard’s Chapel.
In the Garden
A new feature between Cedar Grove and the Hugh Torance House and Store is shaping up thanks to the leadership of Aaron Kampe and the creation of a new garden utilizing Cedar Grove’s historic boxwoods. This garden is being created as a special place for meditation and contemplation in memory of all descendants who once lived on this land.
The ancient boxwoods have been ignored and neglected until recently. Upon closer inspection, the boxwoods were dated to be over 200 years old. Covered in mats of poison ivy and briars, the boxwoods are currently being rehabilitated.
The pruning style for the boxwoods is called cloud pruning. This soft, billowy style stirs the imagination and is accented with anchor plantings of blue Italian cypress and native perennial pollinator plants. The completed garden will also include a custom handcrafted bench made from the recently fallen Easter Red Cedar on Cedar Grove's front lawn.
Join HEARTS and Let’s Do More Together
HEARTS brings the magic of our region to life, weaving threads of history, nature, and art into a beautiful tapestry of places, people, and pieces throughout time. We’re doing more than ever to preserve, connect, and share our incredibly deep and fascinating local identity, and we need you!
With your membership YOU are making a difference!
Membership gifts are essential to propel HEARTS’ impact on local historic preservation, research, documentation, and presentation of HEARTS Happenings, our place-based community programs that explore and share the history, ecology, art, and stories connected to our region.
