The Historic Hugh Torance House and Store
The historic Hugh Torance House and Store in Summer 2023 - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Located in Huntersville, NC, the historic Hugh Torance House and Store is known as North Carolina's oldest standing store and is one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures.
Hugh Torance was born in 1743 in Ireland and emigrated to colonial America through Pennsylvania in 1763 with his brother Albert as indentured servants. Hugh and Albert made their way south from Pennsylvania and settled in NC, Albert in Salisbury and Hugh in Mecklenburg County. Hugh purchased acreage from John McDowell, which is believed to also have included a 900 square foot log cabin structure that makes up the original portion of the Hugh Torance House and Store. Over the next two decades, Hugh would add two additions to the home which, along with decorative compliments inside the home, upgraded the structure to the Federal-style home we find it in still today.
Hugh later fought in the American Revolution in North Carolina as part of a light cavalry company under the command of Captain Galbraith Falls, who was slain in the Battle of Ramseur’s Mill in 1780. Torance was asked to return Falls’ sword to his widow Isabella Kerr Falls, and to take care of Isabella following the Captain’s untimely death. Hugh eventually wed Isabella and they produced one son, James Galbraith Torance, in 1784.
Hugh quickly amassed 1,400 acres of land in Mecklenburg county in what is known today as Huntersville, NC and became known as “The Cotton King of Mecklenburg County” owning one of the most sizably prominent cotton plantations in NC with more than 30 enslaved people.
After training with his uncle, Albert, in Salisbury, NC, James opened a dry goods store in one side of the log cabin portion of the house in 1805, with much of the Store's inventory coming from Philadelphia, PA.
Hugh and Isabella, having previously moved into the property next door that Hugh built for Isabella, both passed away in February of 1816.
n 1825, having increased his status within Mecklenburg County by marring three times to women of high social status, James sold the Torance Store and expanded his family’s land holdings to more than 3,000 acres and enslaved persons holdings to more than 100 - a significant number, especially in Mecklenburg County. James died in 1847 and his third wife, Nancy Davidson, oversaw the plantation until the Civil War.
A restoration effort began at the homesite in 1977 when a nonprofit was established through the work of many passionate community members, with renovations complete by 1989. Operated by the Hugh Torance House and Store, Inc. (HTHS), a federally recognized 501c3 nonprofit charity, the organization is dedicated to preserving the historic site and sharing its history with the community.
This Survey and Research Report by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmark Commission allows readers to dive into the establishment of this incredible site as a local historic landmark in 1993.
Before HEARTS involvement in 2022, the site had limited exposure to the public. As the first Affiliate Member of HEARTS, which provides ongoing historic site preservation, research, events, and activities at the incredibly preserved site, the Hugh Torance House and Store is now is a thriving hub of activities including public and private guided living history tours, a school tour program, as well as special yearly public events which are open to the community.
The Hugh Torance House and Store’s relationship to Cedar Grove, the 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torrance, son of Hugh and Isabella Torance, and located on the property next door, was one of the first connections that inspired the HEARTS mission.
Click below to visit the Hugh Torance House and Store’s website!
“Torance Cabin” in 1938 - Photo courtesy of Frances Benjamin Johnston.
Public Tours
A curated artifact display in the Hugh Torance House’s Federal era addition - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Operated by the Hugh Torance House and Store, Inc. (HTHS), a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit charity organization, the HTHS board of directors is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of this incredible historic landmark.
Guests of all ages are invited to step back in time, to 1779, to experience everyday life in the federal-style home of Hugh and Isabella Torance and their son, James Torrance's mercantile store. Experienced docents guide visitors on a living history adventure as they tour the homesite and visit the Torance Store to learn about Hugh Torance and his family, their connections to other prominent figures, local families, historic sites, and important historical events that spans six generations of Torance descendants who owned this immaculately preserved property.
Private Tours
The site also welcomes all sizes of groups from public and private schools, homeschool cohorts, daycare, and summer camp field trips as well as private membership clubs, public organizations, and corporate groups of 15 or more year-round!
Guided tours for private groups can be catered to group members’ ages and interests by highlighting certain topics, such as Huntersville and North Carolina history, American history including the American Revolution and the Civil War, ecology, 18th and 19th century architecture, colonial farming practices, connections to other historical places, people, and artifactual pieces, or other topics as requested. If time permits, hands-on colonial games and activities, 18th century cooking demonstrations, and even community service projects can be incorporated into private tours. Please contact HEARTS to inquire about private tours at the HTHS or to make a reservation to host a private tour for your group at this incredible site!
The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Junion Leadership Program visits HTHS for a tour with HTHS Operations Coordinator, Lauren Ewald - Photo courtesy of the LKN Citizen.
Shop the Torance Store
A curated artifact display in the Torance Store at the Hugh Torance House and Store, photo courtesy of HEARTS.
With an expertly accessioned collection of antiques, the Torance Store offers a rare display of the same mercantile goods on its shelves that were referenced on the last pages of James Torrence's mercantile inventory records before the store closed its’ doors in 1825.
The Torance Store offers sundries like snacks and beverages, local goods like honey and lavender, artisan crafts and gifts, kids toys & costumes, historical books, stationary, and so much more!
The Torance Store is open to the public every Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, February 1st through December 15th.
In the Spring of 2025, The Torance Store will also begin offering online shopping with local pickup!
Special Community Events
Costumed docents stand ready to greet event guests at HTHS - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Throughout the year, colonial cooking and craft demonstrations, ghost tours, holiday events, and HEARTS Happening events are hosted. Participation in historical home and garden tours and museum passport tour programs hosted by regional historical organizations such as the Mecklenburg Historical Association and the Lincoln Landmarks Commission are also a wonderful addition to the site’s event offerings. Additionally, select commemorative events are hosted each year at the Hugh Torance House and Store, such as a MecDec Day celebration honoring the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence from British Rule on May 20th in 1775.
Most events are free and open to the public! Check out the HEARTS Regional Events calendar for more details about upcoming events at HTHS and to make a reservation or purchase your tickets!