Were North Carolina Presbyterians the first to declare themselves independent from royal rule?
An outdoor exhibit that spans from the Montreat Gate to Lake Susan.
This summer, the Presbyterian Heritage Center is launching the Montreat History Trail–a free, outdoor exhibit along the paved path on Assembly Drive that spans from the Montreat Gate to Lake Susan.
Twelve informational signs will line the route, each featuring archival photographs showing what stood on that very spot more than a century ago. A short description accompanies each image, and visitors who want to dig deeper can scan a QR code for a richer story on their phone.
Residents and visitors walk this path every day, passing sites with remarkable stories they may never have heard–the first livery stable, a hotel lost to fire, a long-gone golf course, and much more. The History Trail brings those stories to life right where they happened, turning an everyday walk into a journey through time.
A companion exhibit inside the Heritage Center will offer an even deeper look at the early history of Montreat and the beautiful cove in which it sits, with additional artifacts, photographs, and stories drawn from our archives.
Together, the trail and the exhibit are designed to reach people of all ages and backgrounds–including many who may never have visited the Heritage Center before. We hope both will spark curiosity, build a deeper appreciation for this remarkable place, and invite everyone to explore Montreat’s past in a whole new way.
