Rural Hill News Release

Contact: 704.875.3113 or office@ruralhill.net

HISTORIC RURAL HILL CONTINUES GROWTH AS DESTINATION IN THE LAKE NORMAN AREA

September 20, 2011

HUNTERSVILLE, NC:  Celebrating its 250 years, Historic Rural Hill has a lot celebrate.  A special anniversary event in June included a reenactment of the 1760 wedding of John Davidson and Violet Wilson, founders of the Rural Hill site.  Along with their descendents, the Davidsons have played an important role in the development of Mecklenburg County and the surrounding region.  Today, Historic Rural Hill continues to positively impact Mecklenburg County and the surrounding Lake Norman area with its continued growth as an historic site, host to annual events and education programs, a working farm, and increasing emergence as a special event destination.

The end of August, Historic Rural Hill hosted the national phenomena known as the Warrior Dash with more than 13,000 warriors racing through various obstacles in a test of modern endurance. Since Labor Day weekend, the annual fall tradition of the Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze has been in full swing, and that is just the beginning of great things.  On October 15, the site will host the “Seven & Seven” race, a 7k run combined with a timed successful navigation of the seven-acre maze.  And the Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials will be held November 12 and 13.

Rural Hill Executive Director Jeff Fissel said, “In addition to returning guests at our events and programs, we are seeing thousands of new visitors to Rural Hill each year.  The visitors include members or our community as well as regional and out-of-state guests who help support local business and hospitality sites while they are here.  Our partnerships with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Towns of Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, as well as relationships with Visit Lake Norman and Charlotte’s Got A Lot are vital in promoting historic Rural Hill and the surrounding area.”

Fissel estimates that more than 50,000 people have visited Rural Hill in 2011, with the organization’s most known event going on now through November 6. The Amazing Maize Maze revenues are the primary funding for the Rural Hill, but the venue’s growing demands as an event destination are encouraging for the non-profit organization.

In April, Rural Hill held its annual Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games and its family Egg Hunt.  The Scottish Festival and Games saw thousands of guests and participants even through challenging weather.  The egg hunt hosted four times the number of last year’s participants thanks to expanded coverage in the media from News 14, The Charlotte Observer, WBTV and WSOC TV. The venue also hosted the Trifecta Battle of the Bands for area high school students and in May, Rural Hill launched its newest annual event, the North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival and garnered praise from the attendees, brewers and musicians.

Rural Hill has seen thousands of students engaged in its living history programs.  School classes, homeschoolers, and civic groups come out to experience educational programs that include history, nature, science, writing, creative thinking, and even math skills.  Educators are given curriculum connection guides and other supporting materials to complete the experience for students.  Rural Hill’s education director Zac Vinson is filling schedules for fall education groups now.

Fissel continued, “In addition to our own annual events and programs, Rural Hill is gaining recognition as an event venue and allows us an opportunity to introduce new people to living history on the farm.  We hosted more than 15,000 people in May at Mecklenburg County’s Bark in the Park – a record attendance for their event.” 

At all events, Rural Hill opens its historic buildings and cabins and includes demonstrations like open hearth cooking, blacksmithing and its historic encampment.  Because Rural Hill is also a working farm, guests can visit with the farm’s animals, take hayrides, or walk along the trails.  Rural Hill is a carefully preserved and working farm.  Its restored cabins and historic atmosphere have attracted school groups, historians and researchers for decades and is known as the Center of Scottish Heritage for its historical roots and Highland Games traditions.   

With thousands and thousands of new and returning visitors to Historic Rural Hill each year, history springs alive and has a whole lot of fun.  For more information on Rural Hill and a complete calendar listing, visit www.ruralhill.net. 

Celebrating 250 year in 2010-2011, Rural Hill is located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford Road) in Huntersville, 28078.  The former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre site is maintained and promoted by Rural Hill, Inc. (CVSS).  Rural Hill features annual events such as the Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, the Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze and the Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials.  CVSS is a non-profit organization supported through membership and donations, and with proceeds from its events utilized for the preservation of historic Rural Hill and its education efforts.  For more information on events or for financial support accepted securely online, please visit www.ruralhill.net. 

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