|
for Rural Hill
Scottish Heritage Center
INTRODUCTION
The Catawba Valley Scottish Society
(CVSS) was begun by volunteers interested in holding a traditional Highland
Games in Mecklenburg County. As the popularity of this annual event
increased, the Board of Directors, President, and General Membership of the
organization recognized multiple educational opportunities within the "Rural
Hill" farm site. The CVSS was encouraged by Mecklenburg County
Park & Recreation to expand the vision to incorporate a long-term plan to
provide a venue for recognition of the culture, heritage and contributions
of the Scots and Scots-Irish who settled the Carolinas.
"Rural Hill" is the portion of the Rural Hill Nature Preserve
that is leased by the CVSS. While historically designated as "Rural Hill," the name Rural Hill - Center of Scottish Heritage
characterizes the desire of the CVSS to maintain it as a working example of
the farming heritage of the Catawba River Valley as well as a hub for
artistic, historical and cultural activities encompassing a wide variety of
educational programs and demonstrations. It will be a regional center where
all people interested in the contributions of the Scots and Scots- Irish can
experience the rich legacy of this ancient culture. It will serve as a
community resource and family attraction for visitors to Mecklenburg County
year round.
The Master Plan for Rural Hill - Center of Scottish Heritage summarized
in the following paragraphs describes the CVSS's plans for preservation of
this important educational resource. Plans include a cultural center,
interpretation of historic sites and development of historical, agricultural
and environmental programming as well as maintaining a venue for Scottish
cultural heritage events such as:
-
The First Footin' - Walk-about of Rural Hill - New Years Day
-
The Loch Norman Highland Games - Third
weekend in April
-
The Amazing Maize Maze (TM) - August &
September
(CVSS discussions will influence scheduling of this event in the future)
-
The Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials and Antique
Tractor Show -First weekend in November
Back to Top
Rural Hill -
CENTER OF SCOTTISH HERITAGE OVERVIEW
The CVSS will approach each research,
preservation, restoration and maintenance project as an opportunity to
create a range of multi-disciplinary educational programs and/or Cultural
events to encourage community participation. The on-going identification and
presentation of opportunities for individual educational experiences is the
foundation of the programming policy.
Educational interpretation will be conducted mainly in and around The
Cultural Center, The Davidson Homestead and Barnyard and the Davidson
Schoolhouses. Venues that support cultural education regarding
archaeological, agricultural, environmental and historical research may be
used at other sites around Rural Hill as new information develops
opportunities for exploration.
The Rural Hill - Center of Scottish
Heritage will feature four distinct areas for educational interpretation
briefly described below.
1. Rural Hill
Rural Hill has been a working farm since 1760. The Master Plan places
the highest priority on preservation of the historic character of the vistas
and rural farm landscape. Using Best Management Practices (BMP) and
recognizing the environmental sensitivity of the farm, the CVSS proposes to
continue traditional farming activities such as seasonal planting of feed
crops, resource conservation and management, gardening, harvesting and
raising livestock.
Visitors will have an opportunity to participate
in daily farm chores, such as gathering eggs, baling hay or planting
tomatoes, as they put their hands on a part of our heritage that defined the
lifestyle of this region.
2. THE CULTURAL CENTER
The Cultural Center will house a range of educational services including
genealogical research. It will be a starting point for farm tours,
schoolhouse tours, historical tours and environmental field research. The
Cultural Center will include facilities for study and research, workshops
and meeting rooms as well as display areas. There will be a library,
multipurpose theater, gift shop, tea-room, public rest rooms and
administrative offices to support the variety of activities outlined in this
plan.
3. THE ONE-ROOM DAVIDSON SCHOOLHOUSE
Of great importance in understanding the cultural values of the Scots
and Scots-Irish is the one-room Davidson Schoolhouse, one of the last
one-room schoolhouses left in Mecklenburg County.
The Scots and Scots-Irish have exhibited a persistent and distinctive
passion for education. By the time of the mass emigrations in the 1700's,
the Scots regarded school as an essential part of a community and they
brought this concept with them to America. The CVSS will emphasize the Scots
and Scots-Irish cultural commitment to education through educational
programming in cooperation with The Historic Landmarks Commission and
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.
4. THE DAVIDSON HOMESTEAD
From the Schoolhouse visitors take a wagon ride or walk to the Davidson
Homestead and Barnyard. The Davidson Homestead will serve as background for
profiles of the Davidson family, beginning with the first settlers, Major
John Davidson; and his wife, Violet (Wilson) Davidson; the history of the
region will be examined through examples found within their extended family
(by blood or by marriage). Educational programs will address the history,
issues and lifestyles of each represented century.
The historic interpretation of Rural Hill and the role of the Scots and
Scots Irish settlement in this region will include restoration or rebuilding
structures and gardens associated with the three Davidson family homes
located at one time on the property;
-
RURAL RETREAT - 1760-1896
About 1760, John and Violet
Davidson built a two-room log cabin they called "Rural Retreat." Rural
Retreat burned in 1896. However a log cabin typical in style and
construction of those of the pioneer Scots and Scots-Irish is being
constructed by the CVSS.
The Rural Retreat home site will feature 18th century farm outbuildings,
fencing, landscaping, a heritage garden and appropriate livestock. At
times, the CVSS will support interpretation of the pioneer home site
with a family of docents in 18th century attire presenting profiles of
people and issues relevant to the Davidson family of that period.
-
RURAL HILL - 1788-1886
John and Violet Davidson built
the "Rural Hill" home in 1788, but it achieved prominence as
the home of their grandson Adam Brevard Davidson and his wife, Mary
Laura (Springs) Davidson. The mansion burned in 1886.
All that is left of this once grand life style is remnants of the
gardens marked by magnificent magnolias, holly, boxwood and perennial
bulbs. The CVSS has commissioned plans from a historic landscape
architect for restoration of the historic gardens. After this
restoration, the CVSS will interpret the 19th century plantation life
through the ornamental and kitchen gardens, a diorama or model of the
plantation as well as the photographs and genealogical records of the
Davidson family. At times, the CVSS will support interpretation of the
plantation with a family of docents in 19th century attire.
-
DAVIDSON PLACE - Built as a KITCHEN
ca. 1788 - REMODELED in 1947
The west-end of the present
farmhouse was a two-story post and beam kitchen. After the original log
home burned in 1896, the kitchen was remodeled as a residence. In 1947,
the farmhouse was remodeled again. It currently houses the office of the
CVSS. It will be renovated to provide space for a variety of displays,
interpretations and demonstrations related to the Davidson Homestead and
Rural Hill. At times, the CVSS will support of the existing home
site with a family of docents in 20th century attire.
Each home site was representative of the century in which it was built
and reflected the economic changes of fortune in the family, and the
surrounding Mecklenburg community. Restoration or construction of barns
and out buildings will be needed to support interpretation of the
farming activities as well.
Back to Top
Rural Hill - CENTER OF
SCOTTISH HERITAGE TIME-LINE
Planning for Rural Hill requires special attention to integrating and balancing unique and
complex issues of historic and environmental preservation with public
enthusiasm for cultural interpretation. To achieve this goal priorities for
1-3 year, 3-5 year, and 5-10 year timelines have been established. The 1-3
year timeline focuses on
-
Approval of the Master Plan
-
Hiring an Executive Director and supporting
staff
-
Stabilization of Rural Hill site -
Restoration of farm fields, repair of existing historically important
buildings and wagon roads, construction of facilities to support farm
BMP and interpretative programming.
-
Research and planning to develop historical,
environmental and economic base line reports as well as time lines and
data to support Capital Campaigns for preservation of Rural Hill
and the development of the Center of Scottish Heritage.
-
Offering cultural events and programming to
support the educational mission of the CVSS and provide opportunities
for the public to enjoy the resources of Rural Hill - Center of
Scottish Heritage.
Back to Top
CONCLUSION
Through the success of the annual
events organized and produced by the CVSS, the Members, Volunteers, and
Sponsors of the organization have demonstrated their commitment to and pride
in their Scots and Scots-Irish heritage. In recognition of the
Founding Families of
Mecklenburg. join us... in the preservation and restoration
of Historic Rural Hill.
RURAL HILL (FARM) - PRESERVATION
REGULATION
In 1980, the portion of Rural Hill
that is along McDowell Creek was included in Mecklenburg County's Greenway
plans. Rural Hill is located at the southwestern end of the McDowell Creek
Greenway Trail.
On April 17, 1989, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, in a joint
public hearing with the Historic Landmarks Commission, approved the
designation of Rural Hill, as an historic property with the name "Rural Hill. "The resolution established the County's desire to preserve
Rural Hill for its integrity of design, setting, workmanship and
materials as well as special significance in terms of history, architecture
and cultural importance.
In 1992, Mecklenburg County finalized the purchase of Rural Hill,
from Elizabeth Davidson, May Davidson and John Springs Davidson when the
last family member moved from the farm.
Rural Hill Farm is on the North Carolina State Study List of
properties under consideration for appointment to the National Register of
Historic Places.
In 1994, watershed restrictions were approved by Mecklenburg County for the
shoreline where Rural Hill fronts on McDowell Creek and Mountain
Island Lake.
In 1997, the Mecklenburg County Commission approved the recommendations of
the Public Use Master Plan for Mountain Island Lake that included the
creation of the 465 acre Rural Hill Nature Preserve through the integration
of Rural Hill with two other county owned properties. Rural Hill
comprises 57% of the Rural Hill Nature Preserve.
The northern half of Rural Hill is now in the Town of Huntersville
while the southern half in Mecklenburg County but designated as part of the
sphere of influence of the Town of Huntersville in their Extra Territorial
Jurisdiction (ETJ).
Guidelines for Preservation of Historic Properties are established by the
Secretary of the Interior - US Department of the Interior - National
Park Service.
© 1998, 2006 Catawba Valley Scottish Society.
All rights reserved. Back
to Top |
