The Moore County Historical Assocation

The public is invited to attend the following tours sponsored by the Moore County Historical Association. For additional information, please call us at 910-692-2051 or e-mail us at: moorehistory@connectnc.net. The Association offices are located at the Shaw House on the corner of Broad Street and Morganton Road in Southern Pines. P.O. Box 324, Southern Pines, NC 28388. The office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 1 pm to 4:30 pm.

April 16, 2008

Chinqua Penn Plantation & Replacements, LTD.

Chinqua Penn Plantation
Featured on A&E's America's Castles and acclaimed as an architectural American treasure, Chinqua Penn Plantation near Reidsville, North Carolina, welcomes you. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Plantation includes a 27 room English countryside mansion filled with elaborate furnishings from 30 countries, surrounded by 22 acres of beautiful gardens and historic landscape. The estate showcases the state's premier collection of eclectic decorative arts.

Built in the 1920's by Thomas Jefferson Penn (1875-1946) and his wife, Beatrice Schoellkopf Penn (1881-1965), Chinqua Penn reflects their lifestyle of entertaining, traveling, and collecting art and furniture from around the world. The historic landscape evolved into an exotic horticulture collection, changing with each season. The Penn's love of the beautiful and artistic was manifested in the use of both native and imported plant material at Chinqua Penn, maintained throughout the Penn's tenure by their gardener, Charlie Talley. Chinqua Penn is named for the chinquapin, a dwarf chestnut tree. Once abundant here, most chinquapins were destroyed by the chestnut blight in the 1930's. For more info visit www.chinquapenn.com

Replacements, LTD
After lunch on your own in Yanceyville, the tour continues to Replacements LTD. Founded in 1981, Replacements, Ltd. has the world's largest selection of old & new dinnerware. Their 415,000 square foot facilities house an incredible inventory of 12 million pieces in more than 275,000 patterns, some over 100 years old! For more info visit www.replacements.com

Sponsored by Moore County Historical Association. For reservations or more information, call (910) 692-2051.

May 20-June 1 , 2008

Shades of Ireland Tour

Featuring Limerick • Medieval Castle Banquet • Cliffs of Moher • Galway Farm Visit • Killarney • Jaunting Car Ride • Ring of Kerry • Blarney Castle • Waterford Crystal • Kilkenny • Castle Stay • Dublin • Irish Night • Derry • Giant’s Causeway • Newcastle • Shopping

Included in Price:
Transportation leaving from the Shaw House in Southern Pines, round trip air from Raleigh Durham Airport, accommodations, hotel transfers, air taxes, fees, and eighteen meals

Join your friends and make new ones on an exciting 13 day/12 night tour of Ireland. Highlights include:

Experience It! Cabra Castle
Cabra Castle stands on 100 acres of gardens and parkland, with delightful views over the Cavan countryside, famous for its beautiful lakes. Formerly known as Comery Castle, the property was bought in the early nineteenth century by Colonel Joseph Pratt who rebuilt it, renaming it as Cabra Castle. The Castle boasts a proud history dating as far back as 1760. Its long history lends a mature, cultured air to the Castle which can be felt by strolling through the Castle’s magnificent hallways and stairwells. Experience this history when you enjoy an overnight stay in one of the historical and richly designed bedrooms. The rooms are outfitted to the highest possible standards with every comfort and modern facilities. The bar and restaurant offer views over countryside famous for its lakes and fishing, as well as Dun a Ri Forest Park.

Ireland

Ireland is a land of lush emerald green fields, warm people, music, story and thousands of years of history. The sea and Ireland's craggy, dramatic shoreline is never more than 80 miles away. See the Aran Islands and crashing North Atlantic from the 700-ft-high Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's most photographed sights. En route to Galway, visit the rugged, rocky Burren, home to wildflowers grown from seeds blown in and scattered by winds from places all over the world. At the Molanna Dairy farm, learn what life was like for a traditional Irish farming family, followed by a lakeside jaunting car ride along the lakes Killarney. Travel the Ring of Kerry, one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world then journey through rugged mountain passes into "Ladies View" and see spectacular views of the lakes of Killarney. After a scenic drive through West Cork, stop at Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the stone which reportedly gives the gift of eloquence. Take home a few distinctly Irish souvenirs or gifts from the Blarney Woollen Mills, Midleton Whisky Distillery and Waterford Crystal Factory. Experience a night in a castle before spending two nights in Dublin where you'll visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, stroll O'Connell Street and enjoy plenty of independent time to explore on your own.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Ireland, the Emerald Isle, is a land of soft greens, warm people, stately castles, and rollicking fun.

Day 2: Arrive Limerick - Tour Begins
Your tour begins today in Limerick. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a castle medieval banquet featuring beautiful music, delicious food and traditional entertainment.

Day 3: Limerick - Cliffs of Moher - Galway - Limerick
A trip to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, nearly 700 feet high, will leave you gazing in awe at the mighty Atlantic and the stunning views of the Aran Islands! You then travel to the limestone-rich region of the Burren, known for its natural beauty and unique geological features. Continue through the rugged and scenic countryside into Galway, “The City of Tribes,” and take a brief city tour before returning to your hotel.

Day 4: Limerick - Killarney
Enjoy a short panoramic tour of Limerick. See King John's Castle and Treaty Stone, while learning about the fascinating history of the "city of the violated treaty."Experience the customs and daily life of a traditional Irish family with a memorable visit to the Molanna Dairy Farm. After arriving in Killarney, you will be treated to a time-honored Irish jaunting car ride* along the lakes of Killarney. A tour of the beautiful Muckross House and Gardens offers insight into the elegant lifestyle of the Victorian gentry.

Day 5: Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Killarney
Today you will travel along one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the world, the Ring of Kerry. See spectacular ocean scenery as you pass through picturesque villages. After passing through the town of Sneem, travel through rugged mountain passes into “Ladies View,” where you will see spectacular views of the lakes of Killarney. Tonight you may wish to sample the local pub atmosphere and entertainment.

Day 6: Killarney - Blarney Stone - Midleton - Waterford
Today is highlighted by a journey to the historic Blarney Castle. Pass through the mountains of West Cork and the scenic towns of Ballyvourney and Macroom before arriving at the castle, where you have the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. It is said that those who kiss the stone are bestowed with the gift of eloquence. Shop in the Blarney Woolen Mills before making a visit to Midleton Whiskey Distillery for a tour and tasting. After dinner, enjoy a leisurely-paced walking tour of this historic city.

Day 7: Waterford - Kilkenny - Kingscourt
Today you visit the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory. Take a tour of the facility to learn how these treasures are crafted, and marvel at the impressive collection of crystal in their showroom. Next, stop in Kilkenny for the chance to explore this medieval city. Continue to a castle where you will enjoy an overnight stay with dinner.

Day 8: Kingscourt - Dublin
A short drive brings you to Dublin where you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of this “Fair City.” You will visit the world-famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, Grafton Street, Phoenix Park and see the magnificent rows of Georgian town homes.

Day 9: Dublin
Your day is at leisure to relax or explore the cultural offerings of delightful Dublin on your own. Tonight, join the locals in a fun-filled Irish evening complete with dinner and traditional Irish entertainment.

Day 10: Dublin - Derry
This morning you depart Dublin and cross the border into Northern Ireland. Travel via Omagh to visit the Ulster American Folk Park. This open air museum documents the story of emigration from Northern Ireland to America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Next, travel to the walled city of Derry where a local guide leads you on a walking tour of the old city featuring the medieval city walls, St. Augustine's Cathedral and the Guildhall.

Day 11: Derry - Inishowen Peninsula - Derry
This morning you will enjoy an excursion to the Inishowen Peninsula and Malin Head. Leaving Derry, a stop will be made at Carndonagh to see the second-oldest Celtic cross in Ireland. Continuing on through Malin village, you will arrive at Malin Head, Ireland's northernmost point with a beautiful panoramic view of the North Atlantic Ocean. Return to Derry via the Slieve Snaght hills for an afternoon to further explore this historic city at leisure.

Day 12: Derry - Giant's Causeway - Belfast - Newcastle
See the most famous natural sight in Northern Ireland as you visit the magnificent Giant’s Causeway this morning. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, the causeway resembles a cobbled road leading into the sea. Continue along the stunning Antrim Coastal Route to Belfast, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the city sights. Next, travel to the coastal city of Newcastle, overlooking the Irish Sea and the Mourne Mountains. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner, celebrating a fantastic journey to Ireland.

In shoulder season, from October through April, the “Irish evening” will be substituted with a farewell dinner at your hotel. This is reflected in the tour price.

At Collette, we pride ourselves on bringing travelers the very best experiences a destination offers. Our itineraries include many activities and may consist of walking on uneven terrain, heavy walking on uneven terrain or heavy walking at times. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.

On day 13, due to flight schedules, you may require an early morning departure from your hotel. Return flights should not be booked prior to 9:00 AM.

Collette air passengers will arrive into the Shannon, Ireland airport and depart from the Dublin airport. All Collette transfers will depart from the Shannon airport for Limerick on the day of arrival, and depart from Newcastle for Dublin on the day of departure.

Sponsored by Moore County Historical Association. For reservations or more information, call (910) 692-2051.

August 8, 2008

Day Tour

John Charles McNeill Home & Garden,
the Richmond Temperance & Literary Society Hall and the
Cypress Bend Vineyard

Join your Friends and MCHA's tour escort, Carolyn Burns, on an exciting tour by "Car Caravan". Dr. Calvin Newton will be our guide.

John Charles McNeill House & Memorial Garden
Hwy 401, Old Wire Rd. & Sallie McNair Rd., Wagram, NC; 910-396-3555
Perhaps North Carolina’s most celebrated poet, McNeill was born in Scotland County in 1874 and was the grandson of Scottish immigrants on both sides of his family. Only one volume of his work, Songs, Merry and Sad, was published before he died at the young age of 33. His restored home sits amidst 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

Richmond Temperance and Literary Society Hall (Civil War Trail)
Hwy 401, Old Wire Rd. & Sallie McNair Rd., Wagram, NC; 910- 396-3555
One of the state’s most interesting architectural sites. The Society was organized in 1853 to leaven the moral and cultural life of the area, and the unique building was constructed shortly after. The hexagonal structure is made from hand-molded bricks and has at the apex of its roof an upturned chalice standing on a Bible. This site lies along the route of Sherman’s army. The chalice and Bible were reportedly shot off by passing Union troops.

Cypress Bend Vineyards
21904 Riverton Rd, Wagram, NC; 910-369-0411 www.cypressbendvineyards.com
One of Scotland County’s most popular destinations is open to the public for tastings and tours. Cypress Bend also hosts several events, including Spring Fling, Fall Festival and the Summer Concert Series.

September 10, 2008

Mystery Day Tour

We can't say where you are going... just that you will have a great time getting there!
Join your friends and make new ones on this exciting one-day mystery tour event!
Tour bus departs from the Shaw House 8:00 am and returns at 5:00 pm.
Includes lunch & all fees.
$70 MCHA Members / $75 Non-Members
Don't miss this Fun Mystery Event!

October 1, 2008

New England Back Roads, 8 day Tour

INFORMATION MEETING! Learn more about this great fall tour at the free Collette Travel Information Meeting on March 4, 2008 at the Shaw House.

New England Back Roads Highlights...
Boston • Bennington • Molly Stark Trail • Adams Farm • Shelburne Museum • Cold Hollow Cider • Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory • Stowe • Lincoln • North Conway • Boothbay Harbor • Kennebunkport

Included in Price:
Round Trip Air from Raleigh Durham Intl Airport-Raleigh, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $50 (subject to increase until paid in full), Hotel Transfers. Tips for tour guide and driver. 11 Meals: 7 Breakfasts • 4 Dinners

Enjoy a locally guided tour of historic Boston and a visit to Faneuil Hall marketplace, Old South Meeting House, gathering place of patriots, the Public Gardens, the Old North Church, Beacon Hill, and the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.
Explore Shelburne Museum with its thirty-seven carefully restored buildings - including a lighthouse and a covered bridge.
Enjoy a true taste of New England at a farewell dinner featuring succulent fresh lobster.
Enjoy a revolving farm experience while learning about maple syrup, hand-spun woolens, garden products, and farm animals.
Watch apples transform into cider the old-fashioned way - using a rack and cloth press - during a trip to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.
Enjoy a visit of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory where you learn about the ice cream process and ends with a delicious sample of their sweet treats.

The many pleasant memories of your New England Back Roads adventure will last a lifetime.

Day 1: Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Boston, Massachusetts - Tour Begins
From country stores to covered bridges, and rugged coastlines to remarkable mountains, welcome to New England's back roads. Collette is pleased to offer this exciting adventure which showcases the best of New England. Your vacation begins with a stay in historic Boston, cradle of the American Revolution and site of a famous battle and late night tea party.

Day 2: Thursday, October 02, 2008
Boston - Springfield, Vermont
A sightseeing tour features the Old South Meeting House, gathering place of patriots, the Public Gardens, the Old North Church, Beacon Hill, and the U.S.S. Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Later, stop at the famed Faneuil Hall marketplace with its eclectic and tempting assortment of food and shops, before departing for Vermont, known as “The Green Mountain State.” En route, you will pass traditional white steeple churches, quaint villages and tree covered mountainsides which in autumn are often ablaze with color. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 3: Friday, October 03, 2008
Springfield - Bennington - Springfield
Enjoy the beauty of Vermont. First, explore the town of Bennington where you will see the gravesite of Robert Frost as well as the historic 306’ stone obelisk known as the Bennington Battle Monument. Next, enjoy a highlight as you drive along the famed Molly Stark Trail, where every turn brings a breathtaking vista. «This afternoon, visit one of Vermont’s picturesque working farms that have opened their doors to visitors from around the world. Enjoy a revolving farm experience while learning about maple syrup, hand-spun woolens, garden products, and farm animals.« Today breakfast will be included.

Day 4: Saturday, October 04, 2008
Springfield - Burlington
Journey north toward Lake Champlain, stopping en route to visit the exceptional Shelburne Museum. This museum showcases a complex of 37 historic buildings, many of which were relocated from other parts of New England, which are now home to vast collections of fine and decorative art, paintings and folk sculptures. Continue to Burlington for a scenic cruise featuring spectacular views of Lake Champlain and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 5: Sunday, October 05, 2008
Burlington - Stowe - Lincoln, New Hampshire
«Watch apples transform into cider the old-fashioned way - using a rack and cloth press - during a trip to the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.« A visit and tour of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory teaches you about the ice cream process and ends with a delicious sample of their sweet treats. Next, enjoy a short visit to Stowe, a quintessential New England town, where you will have time to explore. You then journey through the lovely New England countryside to New Hampshire, your home for the next two nights. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 6: Monday, October 06, 2008
Lincoln - North Conway - Lincoln
This morning you depart for a full day of sightseeing in the scenic White Mountains of New Hampshire. You will take the Kangamangus Highway, recently declared a Scenic Byway by the U.S. Forest Service, to North Conway where you can stroll through the quaint village or visit one of the many outlet stores located there before returning to Lincoln. Today breakfast will be included.

Day 7: Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Lincoln - Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Depart New Hampshire for Maine, arriving in beautiful Boothbay Harbor, the “boating capital of New England.” You will view the rugged coastline while on a drive along picturesque Ocean Point Road. This afternoon you may stroll through this quaint town or perhaps take a delightful optional cruise of Boothbay Harbor. Later tonight, join your fellow travelers for a very special farewell dinner featuring the fresh native lobster for which coastal Maine is renowned. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

Day 8: Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Boothbay Harbor - Kennebunkport - Boston, MA - Tour Ends
Today you travel through the seaside community of Kennebunkport, along spectacular Ocean Drive. See Walker’s Point, former President George Bush’s summer home, which is situated on a rocky promontory, before returning to Boston. The many pleasant memories of your New England Back Roads adventure will last a lifetime. Today breakfast will be included.

Visit one of southern Vermont’s picturesque working farms that have opened their doors to visitors from around the world. Adams Farm is a sixth generation working farm located in the pristine Mount Snow Valley. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes revolving farm experience while learning about maple syrup production, hand-spun woolens, garden products and farm animals.
Take a comfortable wagon ride through some of the farm’s 210 acres. Learn about what it takes for a family farm to survive first-hand as a local farmer tells you about their experiences with true Yankee humor. Afterwards, stay to sample some of the delicious home-baked desserts.
There is an assortment of wonderful animals on the farm to visit, pet and feed. In the Barn Theatre, they offer humorous hands-on agricultural demonstrations that are entertaining for the young and young at heart. You’ll want to leave time for shopping. The Farm Store is filled with hundreds of wonderful Vermont products.

Please Note:
Due to tour scheduling, return flights should not be scheduled prior to 4:00 PM.

Please note that on some departures, the itinerary will consist of a one night stay in Springfield, VT and a 2-night stay in Burlington, VT. All sightseeing as noted above will be included.
If you have not purchased air through Collette and wish to purchase transfers, you must transfer at our pre-scheduled times.

Sponsored by Moore County Historical Association. For reservations or more information, call (910) 692-2051 or Carolyn at (910) 692-8344.

Questions? E-mail us at moorehistory@connectnc.net or call (910) 692-2051.

MooreHistory.com developed by Internet Photojournalist John W. Myers

2008 Tours