HEARTS in the News
A generous donation from Lowe’s Home Improvement allowed for the delicate removal of the drop ceiling, carpet, and paneling and the discovery that the materials underneath were in good shape inside the original chapel at Brevard’s Chapel in Denver, NC - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
‘Don’t erase me.’ 150-year-old Black church in NC threatened with demolition
June 24, 2025
The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church announced in February that engineers determined the chapel was not salvageable and it plans to demolish it. The HEARTS Collaborative, in partnership with other groups, believes there is a way to save the building.
“A much better monument,” co-founder Abigail Jennings said, “to honor the African-Americans who built the church is to save the church.” Jennings said the preservation and rehabilitation of the chapel is crucial due to its historical and architectural significance, and community value. The organization has put together a plan to restore the church and submitted it this month to Wesley Community Development, a non-profit real estate firm the conference partnered with for the site’s development. The preservation group hopes construction would be completed by June 2026 and a grand opening to the community, HEARTS programming and site rentals July 2026. All work at the site has been paused with no plans to move forward until the United Methodist Church and Wesley Community Development review the proposal. A decision will be announced to the preservation groups during a meeting the first week of July, Jennings said.
Freedom, Meck Dec, spring creatures and Crankies delivered ‘HEARTS-style’
A view of the event stage from the outdoor amphitheater at Pioneer Springs Community School courtesy Michelle T. Bernard.
May 28, 2025
Held on land that was once part of the Alexander plantation and now houses Pioneer Springs Community School, HEARTS Collaborative delivered a superbly woven presentation featuring the history of the Mecklenburg Declaration from David Fleming and Scott Syfert whom shared their research on Freedom Spring which Fleming calls the “the birthplace of American independence.” Awards were also given for the Creatures of the Spring art exhibit held in partnership with the Cain Center for the Arts, and folk art storytelling duo Tom Eure and Amelia Osborne presented a “Crankie”, an art form with roots back to the 1800s.
Photo courtesy of Lake Norman Citizen.
Remembering Meck Dec Day
May 14, 2025
May 20 marks the 250th anniversary of a little recognized historical event that changed the shape of this country. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, known as the Meck Dec, was signed on May 20, 1775, more than a full year before the United States Declaration of Independence. The date is so significant it’s printed on the North Carolina state flag and seal. So why is this important part of history not more widely recognized and celebrated?
HEARTS will be hosting featured authors and historians Scott Syfert and Fleming to share Meck Dec and Freedom Spring stories on land that was once part of Alexandriana, the massive plantation estate of John McKnitt Alexander.
The old wooden floors of the chapel still shine bright - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
An opportunity to contribute to the future of Brevard’s Chapel
April 23, 2025
The future of Brevard’s Chapel United Methodist Church, which was built by hand by African Americans in the 1870s, is looking brighter since preservation groups and the United Methodist Church joined forces to reassess potential for the chapel’s preservation.
“For 150 years, this chapel was a house of worship and community,” said Abigail Jennings founder of HEARTS Collaborative, Inc. “Special milestone celebrations, weddings, funerals and more happened at this special place. We hope to preserve this important ephemeral history and any past photographs will also be invaluable during the restoration process.”
Through joining together, the United Methodist Church Catawba Valley District, HEARTS Collaborative, Lincoln Landmarks, Lincoln County Historical Association, Preservation North Carolina, Preserve Mecklenburg and many others, are working to save this piece of history.
Event Flyer courtesy of HEARTS.
HEARTS: Let Freedom Spring event on May 24 includes art contest
April 21, ,2025
On this practically unknown yet significant North Mecklenburg historic site, colonial scholars discussed liberty from the King. The program highlights the historic Freedom Spring on Alexander’s estate, where a group of colonial scholars from Princeton gathered to discuss freedom from British rule, leading to the creation of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, also known as the “Mec Dec” on May 20, 1775 (a date honored on the NC State flag).
Featured authors and historians Scott Syfert and David Fleming will share Mec Dec and Freedom Spring stories on land that was once part of Alexandriana, the massive plantation estate of John McKnitt Alexander. In addition, learn about the fascinating natural history of springs and their inhabitants, and immerse yourself in the “Creatures of the Springs” community art exhibit. Enjoy captivating 18th-century-inspired live music by the Carolina folk duo Tom Eure and Amelia Osborne, featuring fiddles, banjos, and enchanting Crankie storytelling!
Photo courtesy of Joshua Komer.
March 26, 2025
A ring of fiberglass mushrooms in all shapes and sizes light up the ground in Charlotte’s South End neighborhood. Commissioned by the owners of Atherton Mill, a popular shopping and culinary complex housed in a historic textile mill, ‘Fairy Ring,’ created by artist Meredith Connelly, was intended to submerge passersby into an otherworldly environment. In this case, a low-to-the-ground, illuminated fairyland. Connelly designed the work after real-life phenomenon, also known as pixie rings or elf circles, when a variety of mushrooms spontaneously form an arc, usually in a forested area. Fawn over the fungi, and then head to one of South End’s many nearby restaurants, breweries, or music venues.
— Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority as featured in Atlas Obscura
HEARTS is thrilled for artist Meredith Connelly and her fantastic fungi featured on this prestigious list of imaginative and provocative public artwork found right here in Charlotte, NC. Congratulations Meredith!
Nine Ways to Experience Charlotte’s Vibrant Art Scene
Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Discover Irish connections, revolutionary history, nature and art
March 20, 2025
“HEARTS Irish Connections” will share the history of “Jane’s Famous Ride” for a vibrant mix of local revolutionary history, nature and art on Saturday, March 22. During this and other HEARTS happenings, the first floor of Cedar Grove is available for exploring, as well as the historic site next door, the Hugh Torance House and Store, one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures. The Torance store will be open during the event offering an assortment of artisanal and local goods.
Historic photos of Brevard’s Chapel courtesy of Lincoln County Historical Association.
OPINION: Brevard Chapel UMC preservation is the right move
March 20, 2025
In 1870, the formerly enslaved people of Lincoln County had been emancipated for only a few years. For them to dedicate their time, money and labor to constructing a chapel speaks to their resilience, determination and sense of community – values we should strive to honor and preserve. Some of the finest architectural specimens from the 19th Century are ecclesiastical structures and among the rarest are those associated with African American communities. Additionally, the chapel itself is an architectural treasure.
We cannot afford to lose a structure like the Brevard Chapel because it serves as a visual representation of Lincoln County’s history and highlights the significant contributions of the African American community. Hopefully, they realize that they can draw on the expertise of local groups and experts like HEARTS, Lincoln County Historical Association, Lincoln Landmarks, Preservation North Carolina and Preserve Mecklenburg who, in partnership with the United Methodist Church, will without a doubt be able to produce a result that meets everyone’s needs.
— by Darryl Saunders for Lake Norman Publications
Photo courtesy of Michael Conroy AP.
Charlotte-area preservation groups aim to save 150-year-old Black church from demolition
March 20, 2025
One of the oldest Black churches in the Charlotte area is scheduled to be razed, but local preservation organizations are hoping to save the structure from demolition. Brevard’s Chapel United Methodist Church, located in Denver, was built in the early 1870s, soon after the end of the Civil War. The sanctuary was built by African Americans who previously worshiped at Rock Springs Campground.
Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/lake-norman/article302349369.html#storylink=cpy
HEARTS Collaborative, an organization dedicated to preserving historic sites in North Carolina’s Piedmont region, recently started a petition to support the preservation of Brevard’s Chapel. The petition has more than 500 signatures.
Photo and video link courtesy of WSOC.
March 14, 2025
Efforts are underway to save a historic Black church from being demolished. The Brevard Chapel United Methodist Church near Denver was built after the Civil War by formerly enslaved Christians.
Now, more than a century later, the church has fallen into disrepair.
Former church members told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty that, like so many congregations, it was impacted by COVID and closed its doors five years ago.
— WSOC
Community working to save historic Black church from being demolished
Photo courtesy of Lake Norman Publications.
Local entities rally to preserve Brevard’s Chapel
March 12, 2025
A historic church that Abigail Jennings, who has a proven track record of saving special buildings around Lake Norman, refers to as an “irreplaceable artifact of African American heritage” is slated to be torn down and “once it’s gone, there’s no bringing it back.”
Not standing alone in the desire to save Brevard’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Jennings is joined by Lincoln Landmarks, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historic structures of Lincoln County, the Lincoln County Historical Association, Preservation North Carolina, with a mission of saving historic places important to the diverse people of North Carolina and Preserve Mecklenburg, an organization focused on the preservation of historically and culturally significant properties in Mecklenburg County and the surrounding region, in asking UMC for a pause in their plans to include preservation assistance.
Article and photo courtesy of Beth Yarbrough.
March 06, 2025
The men who built this lovely Carpenter Gothic church in the 1870’s were newly emancipated, just getting their bearings in a landscape that no longer included slavery. Today, nearly 150 years later, it remains - but just barely.
The congregation held on for as long as they could, finally dwindling down to ten members before moving on. That is not to say, however, that the descendants of those builders and early congregants do not still hold the little chapel close to their hearts.
In fact, their numbers are many. The community at large has watched with sadness and apprehension for decades as the structure itself has endured a slow decline. Many preservation organizations have made outreach to the owners in recent years, but the difficulty of coordinating denominational interests, community interests, cultural interests, and financial availability has left Brevard’s Chapel Church in Lincoln County, North Carolina defenseless against a planned demolition, slated to happen within weeks.
Following the announcement, multiple organizations have banded together and are speaking with one voice, asking for a pause in the plan until a second opinion can be rendered. Those of us who have been in the preservation trenches for decades know that a very large percentage of historic structures that are saved were originally designated as “tear downs”.
A Place In Peril
Photo courtesy of Lake Norman Publications.
DAR chapter celebrates 75th anniversary, honors preservationist
February 12, 2025
The Alexandriana Chapter was born on Feb. 1, 1950 – the 60th anniversary of the national organization’s founding – in Huntersville to support the women of Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) emphasizes historical preservation, promotes education and encourages patriotic endeavors, like supporting local veterans.
True to the organization’s mission, the chapter chose to honor a prominent Lake Norman resident for her historical preservation efforts at the celebration held in the historic Cedar Grove house on Gilead Road. Regent Susan Gammon and Historical Preservation Chair Amanda Pittman bestowed the rare honor of a DAR Historic Preservation Medal on Abigail Jennings, a partial owner of the estate through the Torrance Preserve partnership.
Top: the Perry Goodrum House; Bottom: the Gabriel-Puckett House - Photos courtesy of HEARTS.
A historic preservation success story in Cornelius
January 29, 2025
Often historic structures – be they homes or other buildings – pave the way for new development. A term coined by Abigail Jennings, president of Lake Norman Realty, “Preserv-italization,” perfectly describes the best of both worlds. Recently, Jennings’ firm handled a transaction that could have had a very different outcome, if not for the first step of the success story: The seller, Elaine Howard, wanted to preserve their historic properties.
The subject historical structures are located on Catawba Avenue. The “Perry Goodrum House” is the older of the two houses. Perry W. Goodrum bought the lot in 1900 and erected the residence sometime thereafter. His family owned the house until 1989. The other is known as the “Gabriel-Puckett House” is part of the middle-class neighborhood that arose on Catawba Avenue in the first decade of the twentieth century, according to a history prepared by Preservation Mecklenburg (PMI), a nonprofit that specializes in historic preservation easements.
“Without this first step, this success would not have been possible,” Jennings explained. “It’s an opportunity for sellers to win, historic preservation wins, the community wins, and the new buyers win.”
Photo courtesy of Cain Center for the Arts.
Cain Center announces ceramics-based downtown revitalization project
September 19, 2024
Cain Center for the Arts proudly announces “Sculpting the Future,” a groundbreaking revitalization project that marks a new era for the arts in Lake Norman. The project embraces the historic charm of downtown Cornelius by preserving and repurposing two historic homes on Catawba Avenue, the Goodrum and Puckett houses, which will not only honor the area’s architectural heritage but also serve as new civic spaces that foster artistic and community engagement and provide further arts education opportunities. The renewed exterior of the structures also takes direct inspiration from the creative work of local artists and beloved ceramics instructors Rennee Calder and Keith Meyers. The project will serve as a tangible link between the community’s past and its vibrant future.
Kendall Kendrick models some of the women’s styles to be on display at the first event - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Mecklenburg’s role in revolution, independence May’s HEARTS focus
April 25, 2024
May of 1775 was a month to remember in Mecklenburg County. Revolution was in the air and big changes were around the corner for our country. Area residents played a huge role in America’s independence and two HEARTS (history, ecology, arts, reunion and store) programs in May will feature insight about the individuals involved as well as daily life in the days leading up to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
The first event will feature speakers David Fleming and Scott Syfert each dove deep into history and traveled the globe researching their Meck Dec books. They’ll share latest news on local history as well as insights into prominent personalities of 1775. 18th-century women’s fashion will also be spotlighted by Kendall Kendrick, executive director of the Charlotte Trail of History and chair of the America 250 Mecklenburg County Commission. Presentations will also examine why “May 20th 1775” is prominently displayed on the North Carolina Flag and how this history all happened in Mecklenburg County.
Two weeks later, a living history program will be presented at Hugh Torance House & Store. History tours and reenactors sharing 18th-century cooking, medicine and plant wisdom will be featured in the free community program.
Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
January 11, 2024
HEARTS events are known for revealing the hidden history of the region by exploring local stories widely unknown in the community, and the story of the Torrance Mill is one of these. Now nearly forgotten, the Torrance Mill, built in 1824 by Hugh Torance, was a centerpiece of the community for decades. Today only the massive stone ruins remain in the woods on private property in Huntersville. A walk through the past combined with an on-site history lesson and entertainment highlight the next HEARTS event, also featuring the Charlotte Folk Society and the Cabarrus County Arts Council performing traditional music and dance at the mill site.
HEARTS to visit historic mill location
Photo courtesy of Cornelius Today.
HEARTS Collaborative founder lands top award from leading preservation group
October 20, 2023
Abigail Jennings received the Best All Around Preserver Award at the Golden Night of Preservation at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte this week. The CEO of Lake Norman Realty has been an advocate of historic preservation and served on the Historic Preservation Commission in Cornelius before it was transitioned to a committee. She was active behind the scenes in efforts to preserve the J. M. Alexander Farms Tenant House on the site of the former Alexander Farm where are large mixed-use project called Alexander Farms is under construction. Abigail and her husband Randolph Lewis restored the former Mt. Zion United Methodist Church parsonage just south of downtown Cornelius as their residence. The couple is also restoring historic Ingleside of Huntersville, a 170-year-old farmhouse on Bud Henderson Road in Huntersville. They recently joined with Torrance Banks, the seventh-generation owner of the Cedar Grove mansion on Gilead Road, with a mission to preserve and share the site with everyone by hosting several of HEARTS’ monthly nonprofit programs, called HEARTS Happenings, at Cedar Grove and at its’ sister site, the historic Hugh Torance House and Store. HEARTS Happenings are free community events, open to the public, and focus on local history, nature and our shared sense of place.
Photo by Michelle T. Bernard
October 04, 2023
It’s that time of year when the veil between the land of the living and spiritual world may be a bit thinner. That is, if you believe in that sort of thing. It stands to reason historical structures – like the Hugh Torance House and Store in Huntersville, which is thought to be North Carolina’s oldest surviving store – may be haunted. During public paranormal investigations at the Torance House and store, Charlotte Area Paranormal Society (CAPS) members share equipment, demonstrate how to use it, and attendees perform their own investigations. And, yes, there have been unexplained happenings in the house. “I love history and old buildings,” CAPS founder Tina McSwain, says. “Charlotte is bad about tearing down historic buildings. Wherever we as CAPS can help preserve something that’s over 200 years old then we will.”
Is the Hugh Torance Store haunted?
Photo courtesy of Visit Lake Norman.
PBS NC Weekend to highlight Lake Norman venues
August 24, 2023
The production crew of PBS NC Weekend has been filming throughout the towns of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville for featured episode titled “A Weekend in Lake Norman” airing on Oct. 5 at 9pm to kick off the show’s 21st season. The episode will be double in length compared to the traditional NC Weekend episode. Visit Lake Norman (VLN) coordinated filming and interviews at Birkdale Village, Cain Center for the Arts, Carolina Cruising Charters, Carolina Raptor Center, Davidson College, Davidson Village Inn, Davidson Wine Co, Downtown Davidson, Downtown Cornelius, Hello, Sailor, Hugh Torrance House & Store, Kindred, Latta Nature Preserve, Ramsey Creek Park, Thigs and the VLN Visitor Center.
Video courtesy of Town of Hunterville, NC
Town of Huntersville releases collaborative video commemorating its 150th Anniversary
July 18, 2023
“This was the backcountry and mills were the key to development. No more than every four or 5 miles you’d find a mill. It was very sparsely populated and all of those plantation families grew up together, socialized together… Learning the Torrance family history opened my eyes too many of the other histories in our area - The Alexanders, the Davidsons, the Lattas, the Gastons, and the Grahams.” says Cedar Grove owner and HEARTS Board Chairperson, Abigail Jennings.
— Town of Huntersville, NC
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Landmarks.
Tour historic homes and grounds across Lincoln and Mecklenburg
April 22, 2023
Lincoln Landmarks, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historic structures of Lincoln County, is sponsoring a Home and Garden Tour featuring more than a dozen different homes, grounds or structures across Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties.
Stately homes and other remnants of the past are sprinkled here and there across Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties. Often surrounded by new housing developments, many remain standing only because of dedicated owners. Some, like Cedar Grove in Huntersville, are open for scheduled events, and many are private homes. The history surrounding these locations has been preserved by individuals like local residents Abigail Jennings and Randolph Lewis, who have collaborated with descendant Torrance Banks and his wife, Liv Wu, in the process of rehabilitating Cedar Grove. The nonprofit programming hosted at Cedar Grove and its’ sister site, the Hugh Torance House and Store, is managed by HEARTS. What Jennings didn’t know when she got involved with the houses and the Torrance family was that the Torrances’ were connected with all the other houses and historic properties in the area.
Photo courtesy of Lake Norman Publications.
November pause before HEARTS holiday events
November 02, 2022
The monthly series of programs organized by HEARTS at historic Hugh Torance House and Store and the neighboring historic Cedar Grove is taking a pause in November. Planned work to continue restoration and preservation of the 191-year-old Cedar Grove home on Gilead Road is underway, including the installation of a new heating and air system to manage humidity levels and help preserve the historic structure.
Although special events will be paused, the Hugh Torance House and Store, the oldest standing store in North Carolina at 8231 Gilead Road, will still be open each Sunday in November for historic home tours and offering a selection of sundries, local goods, and artisan crafts and gifts.
The return of HEARTS Happenings will be their annual “Winter Wisdom” event on Dec. 10 with special guest Margaret “Chuck” Basinger. Basinger is the fifth-generation descendant of Hugh Torance, and the fourth-generation to Cedar Grove’s first Torrance family, James and Isabella Torrance. Margaret will share her holiday memories through the pages of “Tis the Season with Belle and Chuck,” her recently published book authored with her mother, Belle Banks.
Graphic courtesy of HEARTS.
Focus on ‘Harvest’ at historic Huntersville HEARTS event
October 14, 2022
The importance of “harvest” will be the seasonally appropriate topic of the Saturday, Oct. 15, HEARTS program at the historic Cedar Grove estate and Hugh Torance House and Store, 8231 Gilead Road. The featured speaker at the program will be Dr. Ashli Stokes, a professor of communication studies and the former director of the Center for the Study of the New South at UNC Charlotte.
HEARTS – a cultural program emphasizing the ties of History, Ecology, Arts, Reunion, Trails and Store that connect the region’s residents – strive to create unique place-based experiences intertwining the history of the historic site with its people, nature and the arts
Andre Kearns is a genealogist, speaker and writer who serves on the board of the National Genealogical Society - Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Reunion event at Hugh Torance House focuses on ties to the past
June 10, 2022
Emphasizing the genealogical component of HEARTS – seeking to connect descendants of the historic sites and surrounding area – a multi-faceted “Junion” celebration will be held Saturday, June 18, from 1-6 p.m. at Cedar Grove on Gilead Road. Junion will feature stories, music, art and real historical community connections.
The keynote speaker is André Kearns, a descendant of Charlotte Kerns, a woman who was enslaved to James G. Torrance, the man who built the Cedar Grove plantation. Kearns will share his approach to genealogy, how he applied it to trace his connection back to Cedar Grove, and how his journey has helped to inspire the HEARTS Reunion Project.
Following Kearns’ presentation, additional Torrance connections to the historic north Mecklenburg African American neighborhoods of Pottstown, Smithville and Long Creek will also be shared.
In addition to sharing stories and connections, the arts are always an integral part of HEARTS events. The musical highlight of the event will feature a performance by the Calvin Edwards Trio. Calvin Edwards is a notable soul jazz and blues musician, international artist, vocalist, songwriter and producer. He began to play the guitar at age 6. His father, a well-known songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, was on the gospel music scene, and his mother helped to shape his career.
Junion is a free community event with RSVPs requested on the “events” page at hughtorancehouseandstore.org. All guests registering online become eligible for door prizes awarded at the event.
Photo courtesy of QCity Metro.
Residents of historically Black neighborhood push back against gentrification
April 6, 2022
Established in 1909, Pottstown was once the home of formerly enslaved people. Today, some residents say the 150-home community faces gentrification from the planned construction of Valea Village, a 30-acre project set to be built on vacant land there.
“It should have been determined to become a landmark years ago,” Corine Mack, president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP, told QCity metro.
Pottstown has emerged as the latest in a growing list of historically Black neighborhoods fighting gentrification. Part of the community’s history is tied to the historic Newell Rosenwald School located in Pottstown - one of only six Rosenwald schools still standing in North Carolina.
Photo courtesy of Cornelius Today.
Potts Barber Shop becomes an Historic Landmark
February 28, 2022
It was long customary that barbers who were black did not cut black customers’ hair. This kind of segregation in Cornelius ended quietly in 1972 when a Black man entered the shop and asked for a haircut.
Wilson Potts decided to go ahead, do the haircut, and then the new customer quietly left. Hair-cutting in Cornelius was integrated.
“The Potts Barber Shop is an important cultural and historic property for the Town of Cornelius and very worthy of the historic landmark designation,” said historic preservation advocate Abigail Jennings, who attended on Saturday. “The Potts family’s contributions to our region should be preserved and shared with future generations. They have touched many lives over the years and this is a well-earned accomplishment.”
Photo courtesy of the Matt Postle Trio.
Historic Huntersville home to host cultural event with live music
February 9, 2022
The Hugh Torrance House and Store, the oldest standing store in North Carolina, will host an inspirational and educational Valentine’s season celebration with a historic twist and artistic flair this weekend. The event will be held from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb.12, and will also feature the launch of the HEARTS (History, Ecology, Art, Reunion, Trails and Store) mission, a project to provide place-based experiences to explore how nature, history, culture and the built environment work together providing concrete context to better understand the region’s deep history and connections to broader themes. Festivities will start with a limited-admission event at the neighboring Cedar Grove estate featuring an overview of HEARTS, the Torrance connection to the enslaved African-American poet George Moses Horton, and a reading of the Don Tate children’s biography of Horton by award-winning actor, playwright and director Michael D. Connor will be the main attraction. A facilitated poetry workshop where attendees create their own valentines in the acrostic style often used by Horton, utilizing historic and artisanal techniques and materials, will follow.
Photo courtesy of HEARTS.
Cornelius couple envisions new life for Cedar Grove mansion
February 12, 2021
Built of brick made on the historic Cedar Grove plantation by James Torrence—over the course of 250 years, the family name changes from Torance, to Torrence, to Torrance—the Greek Revival mansion is adjacent to the Hugh Torance House and Store.
Both sit on property purchased by James’ father Hugh Torance in 1779.