Southern Appalachian Historical Association
Horn in the West™ & Hickory Ridge History Museum
Keeping Western North Carolina History Alive Since 1952
Celebrating 74 Seasons of Horn in the West™
Our landmark outdoor drama returns this summer! Join us in the Daniel Boone Amphitheater for a powerful new season of storytelling rooted in Appalachian and Revolutionary War history.
Hickory Ridge History Museum Opens This May
Step back into the 18th century with hands-on history and immersive demonstrations. Click here to explore our upcoming events.
America 250 is on the Horizon
As we prepare for the 250th anniversary of the United States, make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter and following us on social media. You won’t want to miss this season!
Thank You for Supporting SAHA
Whether you're a longtime patron or a first-time visitor, thank you for being part of the Horn in the West™ and Hickory Ridge community. Your support keeps history alive!
Upcoming Events at Hickory Ridge History Museum
All museum events are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Join us for living history days, family-friendly experiences, and seasonal programs that bring Watauga County’s 18th-century heritage to life.
Find out what life was like when the Western North Carolina high country was first being settled at Hickory Ridge History Museum. Educators and tour guides lead you in an immersive experience through six historic cabins, complete with artifacts and furnishings.
Created in 1980, Hickory Ridge History Museum strives to recreate the atmosphere of a small mountain community to show guests about the daily lives of our colonial ancestors.
Staffed with historic interpreters in period clothing, Hickory Ridge History Museum's series of authentic, historic cabins give visitors a glimpse into the past and a feeling for the daily lives of early mountain settlers.
Focused on the period of 1785 - 1805, the museum provides insight into the self sufficiency of our forefathers by highlighting the skills they possessed such as hearth side cooking, spinning, candle making, blacksmithing, and so much more.
Horn in the West™ Outdoor Drama brings to life the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone and the hardy settlers of the Blue Ridge Mountains in their struggle to preserve their freedom during the years before and during the War for Independence.
The drama highlights the settlers who came to the region seeking freedom and escape from British tyranny. Dr. Geoffrey Stuart, a prominent British physician, comes to the Colony of Carolina to study the dreaded disease smallpox, bringing his wife and son.
Through hardship and danger, house-raising and romance, the ties that bind the Stuart family and the small pioneer community grow. Dr. Stuart finds himself a respected leader in this hidden mountain community but has to resolve his conflicted feelings of loyalty to the Crown and his family's sympathy for the Regulators and their fight for American independence.
Support the Legacy: 74 Seasons Strong, 250 Years Proud
Help us honor America’s 250th anniversary by preserving its longest-running Revolutionary War era dramas. Your donation directly supports Horn in the West™, the Hickory Ridge History Museum, and the SAHA education programs. Every gift brings us closer to our $250,000 goal to restore the amphitheater, fund performances, and power the next generation of historical storytelling.
Make your impact today.
Excellent. A fantastic historical account intermingled with humor, action, and romance. Ticket prices and concessions were very fair. Staff is very friendly and accommodating. Actors were fantastic. Especially enjoyed the song and dance numbers. We will be back!
— Guest Tim
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Southern Appalachian Historical Association acknowledges and recognizes the land and labor of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee), Watauga , S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), and Moneton people. Their connection to this land we remember, and whose presence - past, present, and future - we respect. As part of SAHA’s ongoing mission of supporting and fostering community and education of the western NC region, we understand and deeply respect that the land we hold so dear is the original homeland of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee), Moneton, S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), and Watauga people.
If you are interested in finding more information about the land you occupy, check this link for an interactive and in-depth map.
The mission of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association is to explore, preserve, and share the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Ready to hear from us on the regular?
We have big plans to support our local community, artists, and historians, and are excited for you to be a part of this ongoing journey!