Flat Rock: Museums, Exhibitions & Discounts

Flat Rock is a historic village located in Henderson County, North Carolina. The community, established in the early 19th century, became known as a summer retreat for wealthy Charleston families seeking refuge from the coastal heat. The village gets its name from a large outcropping of granite that was a gathering place for local Native Americans before European settlement.

Today, Flat Rock is particularly noted for its cultural heritage, being home to the Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina. The village maintains much of its historic character through preserved estates and landscapes, including the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, which was once home to the renowned American poet and writer. The area's architectural heritage reflects a blend of antebellum summer homes and more modest mountain structures, telling the story of both wealthy seasonal residents and year-round local inhabitants.