Preserving History

Written By: Kim Daughtery | Issue: August 2024

When you think of the history of the Highlands plateau, likely names like Kelsey, Hutchinson, and Lapham come to mind. Yet history is being made every day, and Highlands Historical Society wants to take a moment to recognize one of our contemporary history makers, Dr. Randolph P. Shaffner.

If you have been around Highlands for a long time you will remember Cyrano’s bookstore located on Main Street; It was a wonderful book shop; owned and carefully curated by Ran and his endless knowledge of what was worth reading. He could and would find books that were out of print and provide excellent reading recommendations for every type of reader. His love of books made a trip to Cyrano’s a literary adventure that was not to to be missed. While that was his business, his knowledge and passion for Highlands was not contained within a book shop.

Today we consider the Highlands Historical Society and Highlands Historical Village on 4th Street a beloved part of Highlands.

That was not always the case, as a historical society had formed and failed in Highlands in the past.

In the 1990’s things in Highlands we’re changing fast, and a lot of old historic buildings were being torn down. Some locals began to take notice and in 1999 a group of committed folks, including Ran, Isabel Chambers, Dennis DeWolfe and a few others decided that it was time to reactivate the Highlands Historical Society. They restarted Highlands Historical Society and led by Ran they set out to preserve the history and buildings of this unique place.

By 2000 HHS had raised the funds for and purchased the oldest remaining house in Highlands. The Elizabeth Wright Prince house became the new home of the historical society and thus HHS settled into the Prince House on 4th Street. These visionaries saved the oldest house, enlisted 200 members, raised funds to pay off the house and have money in their treasury, and also began a very impressive archive.

Ran led the charge with this organization, and in 2002 the North Carolina Society of Historians awarded the Highlands Historical Society the prestigious Malcolm Fowler Society Award.

The judges based their decision on the fact that in three short years, the newly reactivated society had overcome many obstacles and certainly surpassed any expectations to become the amazing heroes of historical preservation in Highlands. Ran has been involved in HHS since its relaunch, he is the archivist extraordinaire whose knowledge and ability to recall every person, place and event is as sharp today as it was in 1999.

In addition Ran’s Heart of the Blue Ridge, Highlands, North Carolina book became the de-facto source for all things Highlands history. His masterful summary brought the history of Highlands alive with pictures, brilliant literary technique and a knowledge of people, places and events that will engage everyone.

Heart of the Blue Ridge was awarded the Willie Parker Peace History Book Award, also in 2002. If you love Highlands this book should be part of your library. It’s available today at Highlands Historical Village as well as on Amazon.

One would think that the above epic achievements would be enough, but somehow in addition, in 2005 Ran, Hillrie Quin and a volunteer group of people and organizations formed the Highlands Greenway Committee. It was a comprehensive group with churches, garden clubs, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, Highlands Biological Station, the Highlands Cashiers Land Trust, Land Stewards of the Highlands Plateau, Highlands Historical Society, and representatives of the Town of Highlands all coming together to form the “Friends of the Greenway.”

They created a master plan that would focus on natural areas and historic sites in the Town of Highlands, with walking trails to shopping, schools, and civic destinations.

A conceptual map of proposed trails was designed to incorporate botanical points of interest, historic sites, important birding areas, art, scenic overlooks, and other areas of natural beauty. Thus, the Greenway as we know it today was begun, also from the never-ending knowledge, passion and love of Highlands of Ran Shaffner.

In 2019 Ran Shaffner was honored by the Society of North Carolina Historians with its highest award – 2019 Historian of the Year.

So when you drive around Highlands and see a historic marker sign, whether freestanding or on a building or site, take a moment to remember and thank Ran Shaffner.

Ran and his bride Margaret spend most of their time in Black Mountain these days, but they maintain a place in Highlands, and Ran is still deeply connected to Highlands and involved in HHS.

Highlands Historical Society wants to do something to honor this great educator and modern history maker of Highlands.

To honor an educator, it seems fitting to pay it forward, so it is with the greatest pleasure and excitement that the Highlands Historical Society is beginning a scholarship for a Highlands School student in Randolph P. Shaffner’s name.

Beginning with the 2024-25 school year there will be an annual scholarship awarded to a Highlands School student in Ran’s name.

The funds will come from HHS, predominately the upcoming Dazzling Dahlia Patrons Party, “Elevated Woodstock” to be held on August 27 at High Country Wine and Provisions and Highlands Smokehouse. The details and specifics of the scholarship are still being sorted.

For more info and to donate go to Highlandshistory.com. If you want a donation to go towards the scholarship, please note it on your donation.