Highlands Historical Society Village

The Historic Village, home to the Highlands Historical Society in Highlands, NC, is comprised of two historic buildings that house collections that preserve and interpret the history of the area and its people.

The Trapier-Wright House, commonly known as "the Prince House," is the oldest existing house in Highlands, built in 1877 by millwright Arthur House, and will soon serve as a living history museum. One of its early residents, Frank Boynton, made history in the world of botany when in 1885 he and Charles Sprague Sargent rediscovered Shortia galacifolia, the famous plant that was lost for almost a century after André Michaux's first encounter with it near the Highlands plateau.

The second building is the Highlands Museum and Archives, originally erected on Main Street in 1915 to house the Hudson Library, one of the oldest libraries in the State. It was moved in 2002 to the Historic Village to serve the community as a state-of-the-art museum and archives. Exhibits include: A Woman's Life in Old Highlands; tools used by rustic-style cabin-builder Joe Webb; regional diaries and genealogies; a substantial compilation of photographs by George Masa and Henry Scadin; exhibits of Dr. Mary Lapham's 1908 sanatorium and of pioneer educator and botanist Prof. Thomas Harbison.  Documents, articles, books, photographs, newspapers, etc. dating back to the town's founding in 1875 can be accessed by computer and microfilm.

Hours of Operation
Friday and Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm, May through October or by appointment.
Saturdays 1 - 4 pm, November through December 16,  or by appointment.
Call (828) 787-1050 or e-mail highlandshistory@nctv.com

Admission Fees
None.
*Prices are subject to change without notice & from what is listed on this website.

Location
The Highlands Historical Society is located three blocks north of the center of town on U.S. 64 East, across from the funeral home.
Highlands Historical Society, Inc.
P. O. Box 670, 524 N. 4th Street
Highlands, NC 28741-0670
828-787-1050
www.highlandshistory.com