A Fun-filled Day for All! HEARTS 250th Anniversary: Forging Our Freedom
HEARTS celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with our HEARTS 250th Anniversary: Forging Our Freedom, featuring blacksmith, spinning, and weaving demonstrations. HEARTS also kept the grill going all day, giving out free hot dogs for everyone to enjoy on this very special 4th of July.
The day was a fun-filled, self-guided tour day, offering guests the opportunity to roam the grounds independently. At the Hugh Torance House and Store, we were delighted to have local blacksmith Marty Foil demonstrating and answering questions on the process of blacksmithing and how things were made back then and how things are today, such as tools, equipment, door handles, hooks, and more. Younger guests also enjoyed a popular blacksmithing activity designed specifically for them; this fire-free experience allowed children to use a hammer and anvil to craft their very own unique creations.
The live music at the historic Hugh Torance House and Store fostered a celebratory tone for the day. Heidi Sidelinker, Billy Jones, and Jim Brock took center stage in front of the Federal fireplace, bringing the old store to life with their amazing tunes. The store was also open with goods and drinks available for purchase.
Over in Cedar Grove, we were delighted that General George Washington (re-enacted by Misenheimer) dropped by to tell stories and educate everyone about the forgotten history of the events leading up to America's independence 250 years ago. Also at Cedar Grove, we featured the visual art exhibit, “Liberty,” made in partnership with Nine-Eighteen-Nine Gallery. We also had live demonstrations of spinning and weaving, showing how linens were produced and the effort, time, and processes involved in making individual pieces, which could take weeks to produce a single piece of an outfit.
July 4th, 2026, also marked the unveiling of HEARTS’ new Story Walk at the Hugh Torance House and Store. This is a new outdoor feature sharing important local notes about the site’s history, ecology, and more. The Story Walk encapsulates what each letter in HEARTS stands for, along with specific connections to the Hugh Torance House and Store. This endeavor was a 2026 goal for HEARTS, and we are grateful to the Lake Norman Leadership Class of 2026 for helping to make this goal a reality.
We hope you’ll come see us at the Hugh Torance House and Store for an inside tour, and now an outside tour too! Open every Sunday from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, with docent-led tours at 2:00. Free to the community, tickets are required for the tour, and donations are greatly appreciated.
About HEARTS
Designed to inspire and enhance our community’s shared sense of place, HEARTS Happenings are grass-roots events known for juxtaposing regional history and ecology with curated local music, visual art, and dance in multi-faceted, place-based programs. HEARTS (History, Ecology, Arts, Reunion, Trails, and Store) is made possible by dedicated volunteers, HEARTS Circle members, 2026 HEARTS Presenting Sponsors Lake Norman Realty and blueharbor bank, and generous donations from the community. All proceeds further the HEARTS mission of historic preservation, ecological conservation, and forging community connections in our region. HEARTS Collaborative is actively working to help preserve, connect, and share some of our region’s most important historic landmarks. Learn more about HEARTS and join us to achieve goals to honor our local history and enhance our communities through sustainable uses of our special places. www.HEARTSCollaborative.org.
