story by MARY FRANCES CASSIDY
Escape the heat and humidity of the Triangle this summer with a trip to the “Heart of the High Country”: Boone. Beyond the cooler climate, abundant natural beauty, and sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views, you’ll find a community rich with vibrant culture and deep-rooted history—a heritage vividly brought to life on summer evenings with “Horn in the West,” America’s oldest Revolutionary War outdoor drama.
The play’s inspiration was Constance Stallings, a distinguished figure of Boone society and the Southern Appalachian Historical Association (SAHA). Her diverse achievements included preserving the heritage of the High Country and promoting tourism.
Commissioned by Ms. Stallings and written in 1952 by American playwright Dr. Kermit Hunter, “Horn in the West” is a historically based, fictional drama produced annually by SAHA. The highly energetic production chronicles the lives of Blue Ridge Mountain settlers in western Carolina and eastern Tennessee from 1771 to 1780, focusing on their quest for freedom from British tyranny. Dressed in authentic period costumes, the actors perform choreographed dances, live music, and original songs that capture the era’s spirit.
The story’s main character, Dr. Geoffrey Stuart, is a British loyalist who arrives in the Carolina colony with his wife, Martha, and son, Jack, to study smallpox. When Jack joins the Regulator Movement—a group rebelling against British rule—the family must abandon their coastal home to avoid persecution. The Stuarts head west into the mountains, guided by Daniel Boone, who leads them to safety while teaching the skills needed to survive in the wilderness. Dr. Stuart, after initially struggling with his loyalty to the Crown and his growing sympathy for the Regulators, ultimately resolves his inner conflict and joins the Overmountain Men, a group of patriot frontiersmen who defeated the British at the 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain.
The 2,500-seat Daniel Boone Amphitheater, nestled within the park’s 35 acres, provides an ideal venue for the production. It was designed in 1952 by students from North Carolina State University, who took great care and effort to minimize disturbance to the existing vegetation and fauna. Considered one of the East Coast’s premier outdoor theaters, its woodland setting blends seamlessly with the natural terrain, complementing the story and adding rich historical context.
A tour of the Hickory Ridge History Museum, also situated on the park’s grounds, is an experience not to be missed. Visitors are transported to 1785–1805, catching a glimpse of the daily lives of Western Carolina’s earliest inhabitants. A volunteer staff of historical interpreters interact with guests while guiding them through six authentically furnished cabins. Demonstrations highlight the settlers’ many skills, from open-hearth cooking and spinning to weaving, sewing, candle dipping, and blacksmithing.
Living the Legacy
Marenna Greer, executive director of SAHA, feels a deep, personal connection to the early settlers, tracing her roots to an ancestor who was the first Presbyterian minister west of the Alleghenies. She says it makes her part of the story she helps tell.
“We still have our local families and names that have been in these mountains for two hundred-plus years,” Greer notes. The ensemble features many local residents—some who return each summer eager to share their ancestors’ story— and performers from outside the area who audition for parts during the off-season. The show runs five evenings per week and has drawn audience members from as far as Ireland and Japan.
This summer, whether you’re planning a meaningful way to commemorate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence or simply an evening out with family, a performance of “Horn in the West” under a starlit sky— paired with a visit to Hickory Ridge History Museum—offers memorable experiences for all ages.
Clad in period attire, the cast of “Horn in the West” — which run five nights a week — brings the story of Watauga County’s frontiersmen to life through music, movement, and songs inspired by the time. Top photo courtesy of Kathleen Baker Photography; bottom photo courtesy of Bill Barbour
“Horn in the West” runs Tuesday through Saturday, June 6–August 8. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets cost $32 for adults and $22 for children ages 12 and under. Guided tours at the Hickory Ridge History Museum take place Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. On Saturdays, the museum offers self-guided tours, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. During the “Horn in the West season,” the museum is open from 4:30-7 p.m. for self-guided tours. Ticket prices start at $8. Learn more at horninthewest.com.