Hickory Ridge Living History Museum
Hickory Ridge Living History Museum
Hickory Ridge Living History Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
About
Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, located on the grounds of "Horn in the West," is an eighteenth-century living history museum highlighting the daily lives of our mountain ancestors. At the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum you can learn what life was like in the 1700s as our country was formed and expanded. Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, located on the grounds of "Horn in the West," is an eighteenth-century living history museum highlighting the daily lives of our mountain ancestors. The museum is a production of Southern Appalachian Historical Association. MISSION STATEMENT Southern Appalachian Historical Association is a non-profit that preserves the diverse cultural heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountain region.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
66 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
22
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Nancy F
4 contributions
Jul 2021
We visited the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum late in the afternoon on July 7, the day we were going to see the outdoor drama, Horn in the West. Although there were several costumed staff, we were informed that they were done during guided tours for the day. The only cabin we could enter was the one where there was a woman in costume who explained about spinning and weaving. We were unable to enter the other cabins and they were too dark inside to see very much. There were two men in costume throwing axes. It would have been nice if one of them would have explained more about the cabins. My husband and I felt as if we wasted our $16 admission and do not recommend this unless the cabins are open with a tour guide available.
Written 9 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there! I am so sorry to hear that you had a less than 5-star experience at our museum a few years ago. It is our goal to continuously improve and provide our guests with a stellar experience, so I would be very interested in chatting with you more about your experience if you have the time. I would love to have you visit this summer, so learning how to earn a second chance is my goal!
Please send us an email at www.horninthewest.com/contact-us and mention that Kathleen responded to your review on Tripadvisor to continue the conversation. We do hope to see you again this season and change your mind!
Written 30 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael A
Chesapeake, VA1,321 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Nice cultural center with six restored cabins showing life in the 1800s around Boone, NC. It was not busy and we got a private guided tour. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Also dog friendly. They even let the dogs in the cabins
Written 31 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carly B
Brownsburg, IN8 contributions
Jun 2022
We went in the afternoon during the middle of the week. We chose to do just the tour, but it was only 4 small cabins. The tour guide was nice, but didn't seem incredibly knowledgeable. There was no one else around but the tour guide. The whole place looked abandoned. I was hoping for more people in costume with more of a history lesson. Kind of a let down.
Written 12 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Carly! I am so sorry to hear that you had a less than 5-star experience at our museum. It is our goal to continuously improve and provide our guests with a stellar experience, so I would be very interested in chatting with you more about your experience if you have the time. I would love to have you visit again this summer, so learning how to earn a second chance is my goal!
Please send us an email at www.horninthewest.com/contact-us and mention that Kathleen responded to your review on Tripadvisor to continue the conversation. We do hope to see you again this season and change your mind!
Written 30 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeanine D
Hendersonville, NC225 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
We made a trip out to the Watagua County Farmers Market which is held in the Horn of the West parking lot on Saturday morning. What a great market! After putting all our goodies in the car, we went back to visit the Hickory Ridge Living Museum. There were actors/artisans in period costumes around a group of log cabins weaving, whittling, etc.. My husband chatted with several of the "soldiers" about their rifles. There was even a rabbit roasting over a fire. It is small, but well maintained and in a beautiful wooded site. Then we walked over to the Daniel Boone Native Gardens and spent an hour wandering through the quiet gardens there. All in all, it was a great way to spend a few hours on a sunny Saturday morning. Children would enjoy the Living Museum.
Written 3 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Photo-ops2012
Kill Devil Hills, NC59 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Great to see this little living memorial to an earlier way of living in the mountains. We have come a long way since the 18th century but it is wonderful to get back to our roots and see how they lived. We are blessed! Great family experience!
Written 22 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah B
Pittsboro, NC54 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
very, very well maintained, large walkways, friendly folks doing demonstrations! Very picture-worthy, and you have the added benefit of their sharing the parking with Daniel Boone Native Gardens, Horn in the West, and the Watauga Farmer's Market..so you get four in one from one parking lot!
Written 17 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samcsmith
Charlotte, NC18 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Took in the Living Museum before watching the Horn in the West production. Buildings are old cabins collected and relocated from around the the High Country, and the actors make them come to life with demonstrations and stories. Cost is free...but donations are taken. Kids will love this stop.
Written 1 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind review of our museum. We are very glad that you enjoyed Hickory Ridge Museum during your visit to see "Horn in the West". Kids do indeed have fun touring the cabins and seeing the artifacts within. Everyone gets an interesting peek at life in the Appalachian mountains during the 18th and 19th centuries. We are glad you were able to visit us. Please come again!
Written 13 July 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fuzzipariah
Greenville, NC379 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We visited this historic site on a Saturday, after shopping at the farmers market. It was not busy at the time, so one of the guides, "Travis", gave us a personal tour of the buildings and grounds. He would ask us questions about the purpose of certain buildings and artifacts, and then either tell us if we did not know, or elaborate upon our answers if we were correct. Both of us thoroughly enjoyed our visit, including seeing the guides in period outfits. Admission was a $3.00 donation. The ground is hilly and contains many trees and outcroppings of large stones, but use of strollers should be okay.
Written 23 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind review of our museum! We are glad that you enjoyed your visit to Hickory Ridge and were able to have a personal guided tour from Travis, one of our living historians. We are glad that you included us in your travel plans and hope that you will visit again.
Written 26 August 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rf06903
Stamford, CT262 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Just outside the entrance to Horn in the West, costumed interpreters in original buildings talk about life in the Blue Ridge Mountains centuries ago.
Written 9 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Global_Appreciation
Rockaway, NJ41 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
My family and I spent a few hours learning more about the challenging living conditions and daily routines of 18th century Appalachians.
Cheyanne is an incredibly engaging and smart reenactor. She provided a lot of interesting details and facts about a common and luxurious cabin (including the history behind the phrase "sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite"), well-used tavern, spring house, and the role and value of a village blacksmith. Cole did a great job teaching my daughter, son, and me how to throw a hatchet. He is very knowledgeable and skilled.
The grounds are easily covered within two hours, giving ample time to learn about each cabin, village occupations, residents and travelers (trader or raider?), survival skills, the surrounding area, and ask questions. The reenactors are dressed in period clothing and well-versed in their specific areas of expertise.
Cheyanne is an incredibly engaging and smart reenactor. She provided a lot of interesting details and facts about a common and luxurious cabin (including the history behind the phrase "sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite"), well-used tavern, spring house, and the role and value of a village blacksmith. Cole did a great job teaching my daughter, son, and me how to throw a hatchet. He is very knowledgeable and skilled.
The grounds are easily covered within two hours, giving ample time to learn about each cabin, village occupations, residents and travelers (trader or raider?), survival skills, the surrounding area, and ask questions. The reenactors are dressed in period clothing and well-versed in their specific areas of expertise.
Written 31 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are they open in January and what are the hours?
Written 7 January 2019
2019 Dates and Hours are not on the website yet so call them at 828-264-2120. They were open from April 2 - November 18 in 2018.
Written 7 January 2019
Southern Appalachian Historical Assoc.
Boone, North Carolina
Hi there! We welcome well-behaved dogs on the ground. Please refrain from bringing dogs into the cabins to protect the floors and prevent accidents. Make sure you bring your own doggy bags as well! There is also a wonderful park across from our parking lot that is a fantastic spot to walk your dog before and after your museum visit.
Written 30 May 2023
Does anyone know their hours in September and admission prices? Also, what amount of time is typically spent here? Thinking of working it into my trip, while passing through.
Written 25 April 2017
Hickory Ridge will be open Tues.-Sun., 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., April through November. I would recommend allowing an hour, although the tour may not take that long. There is a gift shop on site, which is inside an authentic 19th century log cabin and fun to browse.
Written 25 April 2017
Now that the 2015 season is over, is the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum open to the public and if so is there a fee?
Written 6 September 2015
Hi Charlene,
Hickory Ridge Living History Museum will continue to be open every Saturday morning 9AM-1PM through October. Admission is by donation.
We are holding our annual Boone Heritage Festival on Sunday, October 11, 10AM-4PM. Live, old-time music, crafts, food and kids craft activities are on tap!
Thank you for your interest!
Written 7 September 2015
The base ticket price for adult general reserved seating is $20 each before taxes and fees, but this season and for your convenience all fees are figured into the total ticket price. You pay an even $24.
Written 31 March 2015
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