Historic Flat Rock

The Village of Flat Rock, considered "the Little Charleston of the Mountains," originated in the early nineteenth century as a summer retreat for wealthy families from Charleston and Europe, as well as some of the South's leading plantation owners.  Most of the old estate homes still stand, surrounded by wide lawns, gardens, white pillar porches and towering trees.  The entire Flat Rock district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Flat Rock is built around a tremendous outcrop of granite which is said to have been the site of Cherokee gatherings.  Though much rock has been blasted away for use in highway construction, the main rock can be found on the grounds of the Flat Rock Playhouse.

Historic Flat Rock includes a historic chapel, the Carl Sandburg Home and the Flat Rock Playhouse.

St. John in the Wilderness Chapel

The St. John in the Wilderness Chapel was the first Episcopal church in Western North Carolina.  The chapel was built on the summer estate of Charles and Susan Baring, an English couple then living in Charleston who came to Flat Rock in 1827 for the cooler summer climate.  The original chapel, made of wood, burned to the ground, but it was rebuilt in brick in 1833.  The chapel was deeded to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina in 1836 and has been in continuous use ever since.

The churchyard is the resting place of many historical figures of the South including Edward P. King, the World War II General who led the infamous Bataan death march; Christopher Memminger, first secretary of the Confederate Treasury; as well as family members of three signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Hours of Operation
The chapel and cemetery are open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for visitation.

Admission Fees
There is no fee for admission.
*Prices are subject to change without notice & from what is listed on this website.

Location
St. John in the Wilderness Chapel
1895 Greenville Highway
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 693-9783
http://www.stjohnflatrock.org/

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Carl Sandburg Home

Carl Sandburg—nationally renowned poet, biographer, folksinger, lecturer and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes—came to the mountains of North Carolina in 1945 seeking peace and solitude for his writing.  He and his wife made their home in Flat Rock where they acquired 30 acres of pasture-land for her to raise champion dairy goats.  Today the Carl Sandburg Home is managed by the National Park Service and preserves Sandburg's legacy for future generations.  The National Historic Site offers guided tours of the Sandburg house (which was built around 1838), a dairy goat herd and barns and five miles of walking trails.

Hours of Operation
The Carl Sandburg Home is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm year-round, except on December 25.

Admission Fees
Tours of the home are $5 per person (children 16 years old and younger are free).   There is no charge for admission to the grounds.
*Prices are subject to change from what's listed on this web site

Location
81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 693-4178
www.nps.gov/carl/

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Flat Rock Playhouse

The Village of Flat Rock is also the home of the Flat Rock Playhouse, the designated State Theatre of North Carolina.  Considered one of the best seasonal theaters in the country, the Playhouse offers an eight month season of plays including Broadway musicals, comedy, drama and theatre for young audiences.

The Playhouse also provides a variety of educational opportunities for all ages, including a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program, week-long day camps for children (1st – 12th grades) in the summer, and classes and workshops in acting, dance, musical theatre and technical theatre for students of all ages year-round.

Hours of Operation
Flat Rock Playhouse performances are offered Wednesday – Sunday, April through December.

Admission Fees
Ticket prices vary.  Season passes and discounts for large groups are available.
*Prices are subject to change from what's listed on this web site

Location
Flat Rock Playhouse
2661 Greenville Highway
Flat Rock, NC 28731
828-693-0731 (box office)
http://www.flatrockplayhouse.org/