“We were surrounded by thousands of miles of wilderness; the handful of homesteads on Fraser’s Ridge made scarcely a dent in it – and could vanish like smoke.”
A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Chapter 5
An 18th century cabin built in the Scots-Irish style in the North Carolina backcountry? This sounds so much like Fraser’s Ridge that, with the addition of a man in a kilt, we’d start having heart palpitations.
Built in 1785 (and later relocated to its current site), the Tatum cabin at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum in Boone may very well be the closest thing you can find to a home you would have seen along Fraser’s Ridge. The cabin is the oldest of the structures that form this living museum, which is staffed by folks in period dress who share the history of the N.C. backcountry and its settlers.
Easily accessed from U.S. 321, the museum is open seasonally from the spring through fall. During the 2017 season, which ends on Nov. 30, the museum is open Tuesday-Sunday. Plan to visit at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. to catch a guided tour! Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
During the summer, this is also the site of the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War drama, “Horn in the West.” This outdoor show has been running for more than 60 years.
Visit: Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, 591 Horn in the West Drive, Boone, NC, 28607. More information: www.hickoryridgemuseum.com.
While you’re in the area: Just because you’re visiting Outlander-inspired sites doesn’t mean you should miss out on other awesome spots across North Carolina! So, head on over to the original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis. (Yes, there is also a Mast General Store in downtown Boone, and the old-timey candy selection there is superb, but trust me on this. The trek to the Valle Crucis store is well worth it.) When you step inside this 1883 store, you’ll find a functioning post office, bins of hardware, old-fashioned toys, cast iron cookware, books and more. Browse for goodies, strum “Loch Lomond” on a lap harp and grab a glass bottle soda before snagging a rocking chair on the back porch for a little relaxation and mountain views!
Leave a Reply