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Take a Stroll Through Highlands History
Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: July 2023
Step back in time and meet the men and women who shaped the Plateau with Highlands Historical Society’s Walk in the Park, July 14-15.
Take a walk down memory lane and join the Highlands Historical Society as they revive their popular Walk in the Park on Friday, July 14, and Saturday, July 15, from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. each day.
This Walk in the Park brings history alive as visitors stroll through Highlands Memorial Park where actors bring history to life as they portray some of the Town’s most influential early settlers.
Step back in time and rediscover our town’s roots by hearing tales from our earliest settlers, including Dr. Mary Lapham, a lady ahead of her time, inspired during a trip to Highlands in 1893 to switch careers when she noticed the need for medical care in small communities. She subsequently left her banking career and graduated from the Women’s Medical College of Philadelphia and pursuing advanced studies in Switzerland and Vienna. Her field of expertise was the treatment of tuberculosis, and she returned to Highlands and opened a TB sanatorium in 1908.
Actors will also portray one of our founding fathers, Samuel Kelsey, who will recount the legendary story of how Highlands was discovered. Others portrayed will be Joe Webb, a prolific log cabin builder whose cabins are still sought after; Charlie Wright, famous for the 1911 rescue on Whiteside Mountain and winner of the Carnegie Gold Medal for Bravery; and his wife, Helen, proprietress of the legendary Helen’s Barn, among others. Many of the characters will be portrayed by living relatives, which makes their stories much more meaningful.
Tickets for the event are $15, and children under 12 are admitted free. Tickets are available at the Highlands Historic Village at 520 North 4th Street, which is open Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M., or by calling (828) 787-1050. You may also visit their website at highlandshistory.com, and tickets will also be available on the days of the event at the Highlands Community building. Attendees will park at the Community Building and be transported to the Memorial Park by van. No private vehicles will be allowed in the park during presentation hours.
The Historical Society is especially excited to offer free admission to those under 12 who may be hearing some of these fascinating stories for the first time. The more you know about our forefathers, the prouder you are to be a part of this community, and HHS is happy to pass this pride to future generations, thereby preserving our history.
