Horn in the West: what does it mean to you?

If you come to the High Country of North Carolina, you will probably make a stop in Boone. If it's summer time, you're sure to find lots of activities to join in on.

If you have kids (or if you're a kid at heart yourself) you might make a stop at Tweetsie Railroad, a family-friendly, historic, wild-west themed amusement park that you will only find up in the beautiful Appalachian mountains.

You might also take the time to stroll around the beautiful, historic downtown Boone, where most of the buildings have stood for decades. If you were to stop a local and ask them, they would tell you that as far back as their great-grandparents remember some of the buildings.


You will probably spend a Saturday strolling through the local Farmer's Market, filled with fresh baked goods, locally grown produce, crafts galore, and sometimes some little surprises you didn't expect to find.



One of those surprises might be Hickory Ridge Homestead, adjacent to the Farmer's Market. You might find your feet following the meandering paths among the historic buildings. You'll be shaded by incredibly tall oak trees, the smell of old wood and wood smoke tickling your nose.

If you're lucky, and you come on the right day, you'll find a host of men and women in period costume, reenacting life during the 1800s. In the fall, you might come during the Apple Festival, and watch as women stand over a fire, stirring a boiling pot of apple butter. The smell of cinnamon would fill the air.

You might find the blacksmith in, and get to watch him work his magic on a piece of metal in the melting hot shop. The clank of metal will fill your ears as he explains how things were done back in the day.

The gift shop will almost certainly be open, and you will get to purchase a trinket or toy, possibly a replica of something you would find during the time period you find yourself in. On Independence Day, you must be certain to buy yourself an old-looking copy of the Declaration of Independence, before attending the burning of the effigy of King George.

And if you're there during the summer, and you keep walking, you might stumble upon a very old play going on in the amphitheater.

Horn in the West.

As the sun goes down, viewers will be transported back in time to the North American Frontier. Set during the Revolutionary War, the story will follow the lives of different Pioneers who settled the Blue Ridge Mountains, facing not only the dangers of the British tyrants, but also of the wild mountains. Daniel Boone and Cherokee allies are stars in long-running show.

If you were to ask locals, they would probably tell you that they've seen the show at least once, and sometimes even participated in the rich, living history museum that is Hickory Ridge and Horn in the West.

I grew up in the High Country, and spent a good deal of my childhood living just down the street from the Living History Museum. I spent most of my Saturday mornings and afternoons at the Farmer's Market and Hickory Ridge Homesteads. I even went in costume, even though I was very young and didn't work there. I often was mistaken for one of the reenactors and was asked directions, which I could give, knowing the lay of the land so well.

My uncle played the Fire Dancer in Horn in the West, and as such, we were able to watch the back stage goings on often, and were invited on more than one occasion to join in the play. I cannot count how many times I went to the show as a child. The time I spent in and around Horn in the West and Hickory Ridge Homesteads is insane. I basically grew up there. My family has deep roots there, and not only because of the amount of time we spent there, but because of the history it portrays. The history of many many many local families.

Horn in the West and Hickory Ridge Homesteads were amazing places to be during their yearly and weekly events. People buzzing around from place to place, the smells of fall or summer mingling in the air, the crunch of acorns under your feet, the bustle or the crowds, it was just amazing to be a part of.

But equally as beautiful were the silent times. Walking up there during a snow fall and listening to the silence. Imagining all those houses that were once filled with people, now empty. Those walls have seen so much, as some of them are over 100 years old.

My sister and I used to take our camera up there and film short little movies. A friend of mine once filmed parts of his Historical Fiction movie, South of Saratoga, up there (which my sister and I also participated in). A newsletter I wrote for in school used to have our monthly meetings in the picnic area when it was quiet.

As you can imagine, loosing this would be devastating for the locals (and I mean the High Country Locals who live all over this area). A lot of us have very fond memories of this place.

And devastating is what it will be if Southern Appalachian Historical Association (SAHA) were to loose their license and have to close down Horn in the West, and possibly Hickory Ridge Homesteads.

But that is what is happening. The town of Boone (who is now run by people who couldn't care less about any of the locals) is revoking SAHA's licence, due to alleged electrical issues and not keeping the bathrooms sanitary enough (although after speaking to someone working for SAHA, the allegations seem to be unfounded).

If this were to happen, SAHA would have to remove the entire set of Horn in the West. Where the set would go is a mystery. That would be the end of the nation's longest running Revolutionary War outdoor drama. Future generations could never experience the joys or create the memories that come along with Horn in the West.

Since I am pregnant, this is hitting me even harder than it would have before. This child that I am carrying right now might never get to see the place that I spent most of my childhood years.

Horn in the West might not be the only one to have to vacate, Hickory Ridge Homestead could possibly be in the line of fire as well, although I don't have as much information on that front.

SAHA is currently trying to get their licence back so they can continue their amazing work. I am hoping to attend a town council meeting on Thursday the 18th, so I can find out more about what is going on.

As a member of the High Country, I for one cannot just lie down and let this happen. I, like my ancestors, will fight tyranny.

If you would like to get involved in saving Horn in the West, you can start by signing the petition here.

I don't want to see history thrown away to make more room for party-life college students. I have no problem with people wanting to get an education, what I have a problem with is disrespectful college kids who just want to drink and party and get high. If history is getting pushed aside to make room for people like that, it's more than just sad, it's a devastating tragedy.

I will try and write an update as I find out more information on what's going on with SAHA. If you want to help, sign the petition, and pray. Talk to others who might be interested in helping. I know there are a lot of people who don't want to see this happen, we just need to band together against the ASU roller machine and hope we can make a final stand at Horn in the West.

Cheers.

Oh, and if any of you have memories related to Horn in the West, Hickory Ridge Homesteads, or any of the historic places in Boone, please share them in the comments! I would love to hear stories of your experiences there.