The Festival is free to the public and will take place on the grounds of the Museum of Haywood County History at 178 Morgan St. The event is sponsored in part by Visit Haywood.

Heritage demonstrations will be held onsite with artisans showcasing the skills that were needed for daily living in the early 1800s. Blacksmithing, building skills, broom making, basket making, weaving and colonial toy making will be some of the featured demonstrations. Experts on American long rifles will be on hand to showcase their collection and answer questions.  Colonial era maps provided by the Mountain Gateway Museum will be on display for visitors to view.  Members of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will help visitors learn how to identify ancestors who fought in the American Revolution.  

The festival is a family-friendly event. Kids of all ages will enjoy unique “hands-on” activities including shelling corn, pumping water, churning butter, making cane fishing poles, playing with colonial toys and interacting with each other at selfie stations. 
Food trucks will be onsite, and old-time music will be performed by local musicians.
During the festival, visitors can take a free tour of the Museum of Haywood County History, which is housed in the historic Shook-Smathers House.

Planning for the Pioneer Heritage Festival, an America 250 NC event, was accomplished with assistance from the Haywood County America 250 NC Committee. The Committee includes representatives of Haywood County government, Haywood County Historical & Genealogical Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Town of Waynesville.

For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 828.564.1044.