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The Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library Family Tree
The Family Tree - April/May 2006
Rural Hill Farm Grand Opening


Huntersville, NC - The Grand Opening of the Rural Hill Farm – Center of Scottish Heritage was held on February 17, 2006 with ceremony and speeches of encouragement by commissioners, board members and other dignitaries. The Scottish American Military Society Color Guard was piped in by the Loch Norman Pipe Band and the ceremonies were followed by a reception. 

With this announcement, the historic site will be open for visitors six days a week and the CVSS moves to the next phase in the Master Plan; development of plans and construction of The Cultural Center. This facility will be used for genealogical research, workshops and meeting rooms as well as display areas. Within this facility, there will be a library, multipurpose theater, tea-room, gift shop and administrative offices.
 

Rural Hill, the homestead of the family of John and Violet Wilson Davidson, is the oldest and largest publicly owned historic site in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. From the day John Davidson swung an axe to begin construction of their first home; the Davidson family has made significant contributions to their community. He risked his fortune and his future by signing his name to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775. He served as a major during the American Revolution. His legacy would lead many descendants to answer the call to serve their country. Six generations of the family lived at Rural Hill for more than 230 years and what we are learning about them and the people who worked on the farm, black and white, is the great story of the Piedmont Carolinas.


In 1995, with the encouragement of Mecklenburg County officials, the Catawba Valley Scottish Society (CVSS) enthusiastically entered into strategic planning to develop a Master Plan for the Rural Hill Farm - Center of Scottish Heritage. Today, working in partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and the Historic Landmarks Commission, and with the support of more than 500 volunteers, the Catawba Valley Scottish Society manages the research, preservation, operation and maintenance of this 265 acre historic landmark.

The Master Plan addresses restoration of the homestead site of the Davidson family. Currently work goes on in research, preservation and restoration of the interpretative sites supporting 1760-1770 Pioneer cabin site, 1810-1820 Slave cabin site, 1850-1860 Plantation mansion site with garden restoration, 1890-1910 Tenant house site and the Davidson and the Bethesda Schoolhouse sites and 1940-1950 Davidson farmhouse site. 

The signature event of the Catawba Valley Scottish Society is the Loch Norman Highland Games. More than 90 Clans and Family Societies offer camaraderie and share their family history. There are two full days of sanctioned competitions in Piping and Drumming, Highland Dancing, Scottish Heavy Athletics (Pro and Am), Scottish Harp and Scottish Fiddle and a full range of Children’s Field events as well as top Celtic and Scottish entertainment . The Loch Norman Highland Games has grown to be one of the most respected Games in the country.

To offer educational programs to a growing and diverse community, over the years, the CVSS has added family oriented events such as the Spirit of the Hornets Nest - the re-enactment of the Revolutionary War Battles of Cowan's Ford and Weitzel’s Mill, The Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials and the Amazing Maize Maze (TM).

For more information call the office at Rural Hill Farm for a copy of the Executive Summary of the Master Plan. 704-875-3113

www.ruralhillfarm.org   e-mail office@ruralhillfarm.org

 

 

 

 


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