Hickory Ridge Homestead, located on the grounds at "Horn in the West," is an eighteenth-century living history museum highlighting the daily lives of our mountain ancestors.

Visitors to the museum are allowed a special glimpse into their own past as interpreters, in period clothing, explain pioneer life and culture. Regular demonstrations in weaving and hearthside cooking as well as crafts are presented. You can experience weaving on a 180 year-old loom, spinning wool or any number of hands-on activities presented daily.

Also located on the grounds is our museum gifts shop, where visitors may purchase gifts and souvenirs including shirts, baskets, and stuffed animals indigenous to our area.

Created in 1980, the museum is meant to further the visitor's imagination and understanding about the life of the settlers in the "Horn in the West" drama. Visitors get insight into the lifestyle of early mountain settlers, how they lived, and what constituted a 'typical' mountain homestead. As well, the self sufficiency of our forefathers can best be shown through the routines and skills they possessed that we now think of as arts and crafts. People learn crafts by doing and watching others perform. From this idea grew the whole concept of a living museum and hands-on program.

The museum has attempted to capture some of the mood which we feel was around during the time of the Revolution. Furnishings were sparse, but the family was diverse with its religion, humor, and self sufficiency, creating a warm atmosphere. We hope that as you visit the museum you will feel some of this special quality.