With 10+ years’ experience, Danielle has developed a primary specialty in African American genealogical research and specializes in outreach. She has developed and taught research classes, implemented outreach programs to local churches and organizations, and developed her own African American Genealogy Research curriculum. She has been presenting a range of genealogy workshops around the Charlotte area ranging from Genealogy 101 to Researching Your Enslaved Ancestors.

Join us for our annual HEARTS Catawba Nation event at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring live music, live ancestral dance performances, and so much more!

Michael D. Connor will give a performance and presentation about his African American ancestors, who settled in Mecklenburg County in the 1850s, and the loss of his grandfather's farm when Lake Norman was created.

Join us for our 4th annual HEARTS Circle Members' Gala at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring live music, an elegant farm to table dinner catered by the Carolina Farm Trust, our first ever silent auction, and an exclusive opportunity to tour the entire 18th century plantation home of Hugh and Isabella Torance!

Details released soon!

Join us for our first HEARTS An Evening of Art & Film at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring short films by Frederick Murphy and Julia Robinson Moore, Will Smith's fashion film shot on location at Cedar Grove, and the award-winning Elizabeth Bradford documentary produced and directed by John Rash in association with Davidson College. Limited tickets available.

Our 4th anniversary of Junion features Co-Chair of HEARTS Reunion Project, 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. Join us for an exploration of local history through the lens of genealogy and an afternoon of live music, visual art, dance, poetry, and nature. It all happens Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 2:00-5:00 at Huntersville’s historic Cedar Grove.

Join Preservation North Carolina for a day exploring the rich history and unique charm of Pinehurst! From restored Victorian churches to meticulously-designed landscapes, this ramble offers a rare inside look at private homes, community landmarks, and preservation in action!

Join the County’s Historic Landmarks Commission’s Adventure Club and Charlotte Spokes People for a bike tour through historic northwest Charlotte.

Join us for a very special HEARTS Happening event featuring historians and authors Scott Syfert and David Fleming on land that was once part of Alexandriana, the massive plantation estate of John McKnitt Alexander. Presented at Pioneer Springs Community School, the program features the historic Freedom Spring, where a colonial group of Princeton scholars met to discuss freedom from British Rule which prompted the creation of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775.

The 250th Anniversary of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence will be observed May 17, starting at 10 am with a parade from Tanner’s Creek in Huntersville to Hopewell on Beaties Ford Road.

Join us on Wednesday, May 7th to exploring the historic landmark designation process with Tommy Warlick, Historic Preservation Specialist with the Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Commission. Engage in meaningful conversation and get your questions about historic designation answered by the experts.

A thrilling outdoor event featuring the important stories that lead up to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20th, 1775 as well as live cooking, blacksmithing, spinning, basket weaving and other demonstrations, plus a HEARTS Eco Minutes Update, and fresh flowers from Blackberry Ridge Farm. Join in on HEARTS’ annual community Maypole dance, enjoy live music performances, and shop a curated selection of 18th century mercantile goods on the historic grounds of the Hugh Torance House and Store.

At this kickoff meeting, we will discuss the future of the Pottstown Community and how we can preserve what makes it special! This open meeting will provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to share their thoughts, priorities, and ideas for addressing challenges and embracing opportunities. Your voice is essential in this process—let’s work together to shape a plan that reflects your shared vision!

The historic Hugh Torance House and Store is the oldest-standing store in NC and one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures. Step back in time, to 1779, and engage in this incredible living history experience by reserving your tickets for a guided tour presented by our amazing historians at 2:00pm and lasting about one hour. Come early or plan to stay after the tour! The Hugh Torance House and Store is open to the public most Sunday’s from 1:00-4:00pm.

In addition to experiencing the history of the site, the Torance Store offers sundries, local goods like honey and lavender, locally made artisan crafts and gifts, historical books and toys, stationary and home decor, and more! Our site is also adjacent to Cedar Grove the 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torance, son of Hugh and Isabella Torance. While it is a private residence, this immaculately restored three-story red brick home listed on the Nation Registrar is open once a month for HEARTS Happening events.

There is no fee to reserve your living history tour tickets, but your generous donations are most welcome!

The Hugh Torance House and Store is a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit charity organization and is fully funded by donations from the community. You can support our mission to preserve, restore and share the Hugh Torance House and Store with the community by making a donation at checkout - Simply enter a donation amount in the field provided and proceed to checkout.

Thanks to your donation, HEARTS Circle memberships, and support from our local business partners, we are excited to continue growing and sharing our local history and its connection to the great tapestry of history in the Catawba Valley Region!

The Loch Norman Highland Games is a family friendly event presented by Historic Rural Hill. Come and experience all the fun with Highland athletics and kilted running events, Highland dancing, Scottish country dancing, bagpipe bands, Celtic rock and traditional performers, historic reenactments, Sunday church service, Scottish Clan Societies, a giant kid’s zone, Scottish merchants, haggis and other cooking by the hearth, NC beer and wine, whiskey tastings, partake in long bows and blowgun activities, throw a battle axe, and so much more.

The Loch Norman Highland Games is a family friendly event presented by Historic Rural Hill. Come and experience all the fun with Highland athletics and kilted running events, Highland dancing, Scottish country dancing, bagpipe bands, Celtic rock and traditional performers, historic reenactments, Sunday church service, Scottish Clan Societies, a giant kid’s zone, Scottish merchants, haggis and other cooking by the hearth, NC beer and wine, whiskey tastings, partake in long bows and blowgun activities, throw a battle axe, and so much more.

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Battlefield Trust are excited to feature the American Revolution Experience at the President James K. Polk State Historic Site Museum from March 11 - March 28, 2025. The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation. 

This is a chance to hear from community organizations (churches, groups operating in the area, community organizations, and others). Neighboring Concepts will be reaching out to set up these meetings.  We want to hear your thoughts on honoring history and culture, community engagement and support, preservation and development, faith and social impact, and vision for the future.

The historic Hugh Torance House and Store is the oldest-standing store in NC and one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures. Step back in time, to 1779, and engage in this incredible living history experience by reserving your tickets for a guided tour presented by our amazing historians at 2:00pm and lasting about one hour. Come early or plan to stay after the tour! The Hugh Torance House and Store is open to the public most Sunday’s from 1:00-4:00pm.

In addition to experiencing the history of the site, the Torance Store offers sundries, local goods like honey and lavender, locally made artisan crafts and gifts, historical books and toys, stationary and home decor, and more! Our site is also adjacent to Cedar Grove the 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torance, son of Hugh and Isabella Torance. While it is a private residence, this immaculately restored three-story red brick home listed on the Nation Registrar is open once a month for HEARTS Happening events.

There is no fee to reserve your living history tour tickets, but your generous donations are most welcome!

The Hugh Torance House and Store is a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit charity organization and is fully funded by donations from the community. You can support our mission to preserve, restore and share the Hugh Torance House and Store with the community by making a donation at checkout - Simply enter a donation amount in the field provided and proceed to checkout.

Thanks to your donation, HEARTS Circle memberships, and support from our local business partners, we are excited to continue growing and sharing our local history and its connection to the great tapestry of history in the Catawba Valley Region!

Do you think the oldest store in North Carolina is haunted? Here’s your chance to find out! Take part in an authentic ghost hunt of the homesite and grounds (weather permitting) using equipment & investigative tools while being led by the best ghost hunting experts - the Charlotte Area Paranormal Society (CAPS).

The historic Hugh Torance House and Store is the oldest-standing store in NC and one of Mecklenburg County’s few surviving 18th-century structures. Step back in time, to 1779, and engage in this haunting ghost hunting experience. This event WILL SELL OUT! So don’t delay, make your ticket purchase today!

Admission tickets are $25 per person.

Admission is limited to 24 guests.

Guests MUST be age 12 or older and accompanied by an adult.

In addition to experiencing the spooks of the site, the Torance Store offers sundries, local goods like honey and lavender, locally made artisan crafts and gifts, historical books and toys, stationary and home decor, and more! Our site is also adjacent to Cadar Grove, the 1831 Greek Revival home of James Torance, son of Hugh and Isabella Torance. While it is a private residence, this immaculately restored three-story red brick home listed on the Nation Registrar is open once a month for HEARTS Happening events.

Donations from visitors are most welcome & much appreciated! The Hugh Torance House and Store is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity organization and is fully funded by donations from the community. Thanks to our HEARTS Circle members and support from our local business partners, we’re excited to continue growing and sharing our local history and its connection to the great tapestry of history in the Catawba Valley Region!

Whether you’re a proud Scotsman or just love a good celebration, don’t miss this amazing evening filled with Scottish heritage, music, food, and fun! Bring your family and friends to enjoy live music & entertainment plus delicious Scottish food & drinks. Let’s paint the town tartan!

This is a chance to hear from community organizations (churches, groups operating in the area, community organizations, and others). Neighboring Concepts will be reaching out to set up these meetings.  We want to hear your thoughts on honoring history and culture, community engagement and support, preservation and development, faith and social impact, and vision for the future.