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OCTOBER 5
Featured

Day Pass

Looking for a peaceful way to explore Hart Square? A day pass gives you daytime access to our 200-acre historic village and walking trails, perfect for a self-paced visit surrounded by nature and history. Cabins #102 and #103 are open for day pass holders to explore inside; all other cabin interiors are closed during regular hours.
  • Adults: $20
  • Youth 18-6: $10
  • Children 5 & Under: Free
Day Passes are not permitted on festival days, including the Spring Heritage Festival, Fall Heritage Festival, and Christmas in the Village. *Day passes cannot be used as a chaperone pass. Field Trip chaperone passes must be purchased through the link provided to you by your child’s school

Ways to Explore Hart Square

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Hart Square Day Pass

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Explore the natural beauty and rich history of Hart Square Village at your own pace with a Day Pass. Perfect for a day of hiking and historical discovery, our passes provide access to the village’s 200-acre grounds and walking trails.

Days & Hours

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Private Group Tours

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Gather your group and step back in time with a private, guided tour of Hart Square Village. Our tours offer an exclusive, in-depth look at our historic collection, led by a knowledgeable guide who brings the 19th century to life.

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Photography Day Pass

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Find the perfect historic and natural backdrop for your next photo session at Hart Square Village. The Photography Day Pass grants access to the beautiful grounds for your professional shoot.

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Discover History in Action

Experience Hart Square Village

Discover the nation’s largest collection of historic log cabins with one of our specialized tours. Whether you prefer a self-guided journey with a Day Pass, an in-depth exploration on a Public Group Tour, or an exclusive visit tailored for your party, find the perfect way to step back in time and explore our unique architecture, history, and beautiful grounds.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built Hart Square?

Hart Square was built by Dr. Robert W. Hart III and Rebecca Holstien Hart. Please see the “History” page for the full story

Hart Square is operated by the Hart Square Foundation, a non-profit organization, that ensures the preservation of Hart Square for generations to come through educational programming and events.

Hart Square is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for day pass holders and members.

There are also various events, field trips, classes, and member events throughout the year.  Check our “Events” page for current event dates. We are closed for holidays, so be sure to refer to the calendar online or check with our office ahead of time.

Yes! Hart Square is available for weddings, parties, family reunions, corporate retreats/meetings, etc. For availability and pricing, visit our “Rentals” page.

You can join our mailing list here or follow us on Facebook and Instagram

What does a Day Pass include?

A Day Pass gives you daytime access to Hart Square’s 200-acre historic village and scenic walking trails. It’s a great way to enjoy a peaceful, self-paced visit surrounded by nature and history.

Day passes include indoor acces to two cabins and outdoor access to the rest of the site. Other cabin interiors are open to members daily.

Day passes are available Tuesday–Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please check our calendar for holiday closures before your visit.

Daily pricing:

  • Adults – $30
  • Youth – $15
  • Children 5 & under – Free

The Photography Day Pass provides admission for one photographer and their clients or models. You’ll have access to the village grounds, cabin exteriors, lakes, and trails — a perfect setting for portraits or creative shoots. Cabin interiors are not included.

The pass costs $50 per photographer, with clients and models included at no extra charge. Passes are available Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and you’ll select your session date during checkout.

You can explore cabin interiors by becoming a member, attending special events, or joining a guided tour. Each option provides a unique way to see inside our 103 historic log structures.

Membership ($75/year) includes unlimited access to the village and cabin interiors, $20 guest passes, free admission for children under 18, and a 10% discount on events, classes, rentals, and merchandise.

Yes! Many cabins are accessible during special events like the Spring and Fall Heritage Festivals and Christmas in the Village, as well as during monthly guided tours led by knowledgeable guides.

What types of events are held at Hart Square Village?
Hart Square Village hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including cultural experiences, public group tours, seasonal heritage festivals, community dances, and holiday celebrations such as Christmas in the Village. Some events are also exclusive to members.

Members are invited to participate in member-exclusive events, such as A Sip of Fall. Non-members may attend these events only if accompanied by a member.

Public group tours and community square dances occur monthly, offering regular opportunities to explore Hart Square Village and join in folk dance activities.

Hart Square Village does not offer refunds for ticketed events unless the event has been canceled.

Tickets and additional information can be accessed by clicking Learn More or Buy Tickets links for each event on the Hart Square Village website.

They are guided behind-the-scenes tours of Hart Square Village, open to non-members on specific dates each month.

Adults $20, youth 13–18 $10, children 12 & under free. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is canceled.

Private Group Tours include a guided visit through historic sites such as 19th-century chapels, a pre-Civil War cotton gin, a tavern, a print shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and unique artifacts.

A nonrefundable $160 fee covers 8 people. Additional visitors are $20 each. Tours are available Tuesday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and a final headcount is required two weeks before your visit.

What is the Hart Square Folkways Program?


The Folkways Program offers classes and workshops designed to teach about folklife, arts, traditions, and culture. It aims to develop ongoing partnerships with folklife artists and practitioners to preserve and pass on traditional art forms and skills.

The program features a diverse range of hands-on heritage crafts and self-reliance skills. Recent and upcoming offerings include basket weaving (such as the Bushel Basket class), block printing, quilting, canning, and traditional trades. These classes are led by specialized artists and are designed to connect participants with Appalachian heritage
Hart Square Village generally does not offer refunds for ticketed events or classes unless the event itself is canceled by the foundation. Because many classes require instructors to order supplies in advance, tickets are typically considered non-refundable.

All upcoming schedules, class descriptions, and ticket links can be found on the Folkways Classes page or the All Events calendar on the Hart Square website. You can also sign up for their mailing list to receive announcements about new class openings

JAM offers students in grades 4–8 lessons in traditional, old-time, bluegrass, and mountain music on guitar or banjo, taught by professional musicians.

The registration fee is $250 per student for the 14-week semester, covering lessons, free admission to Monthly Square Dances, and the Heritage Music Series.

Classes run Tuesdays from 3–5:30 p.m. at Hart Square, 5055 Hope Road, Vale, NC. Hart Square is an approved bus stop for Banoak Elementary, and Jacobs Fork Middle School.

Visit the Hart Square Foundation

Hart Square Village is a folklife, open-air museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the cultural heritage of Western North Carolina.

Ticket & Refund Policy

All purchases for Hart Square Foundation ticketed events are final. We do not offer refunds on event tickets for any reason, unless the event has been officially canceled by the Hart Square Foundation. We encourage you to confirm your availability before completing your purchase.