Longwood Home. Photo by Ashley Downer
Historic Flat Rock, Inc. is reviving a beloved tradition this summer with the return of its Historic Home Tour on Saturday, August 2. After a hiatus prompted by the pandemic, the tour offers a rare glimpse into four private historic homes and one storied church in the village known as the “Little Charleston of the Mountains.”
All five stops on the tour—including Dunroy Estate, Longwood, Rutledge Cottage, Chanteloup and St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church—are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and date back to the 1800s. Each has its own unique architecture and story. Guests will travel in air-conditioned vans between stops, while the church is available for self-guided visits.
“This year was chosen to bring back the Historic Home Tour because we feel the time is right to get back to offering the tour after being side-lined by COVID and the period afterward where most homes would not be open to the public,” says Galen Reuther, chair of the tour.
About 100 volunteer docents will guide guests through each location, offering insight drawn from the homeowners and research compiled by Historic Flat Rock, Inc. “The docents will familiarize themselves with the homes and gardens, and visit their assigned home the day before tour day to become familiar with their specific areas,” says Reuther.
Though the owners of the homes won’t be involved in the tour itself, they played a vital role in bringing the event to life. “They have been involved in providing information and items of interest in their homes,” says Reuther.
Founded in 1968, Historic Flat Rock, Inc. has long supported the preservation of the area’s architectural and cultural heritage. “These particular estates may not be open to the public again, and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn their histories and see how beautifully owners have adapted the old to the present,” says Reuther.
Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 on the day of the tour. They can be purchased by calling 828.974.4242, visiting HistoricFlatRockInc.com or stopping by the Hendersonville Visitors Center or the Wrinkled Egg in Flat Rock. No children under 10 are allowed, and visitors are asked to refrain from bringing large handbags, taking interior photos or smoking. Homes are not handicap accessible.
