Join us for the third event in our Intro to WNC Lecture Series. Rep. John Ager will discuss the drover’s road through the Hickory Nut Gap and the historic Sherill’s Inn. After the presentation, we will hold a Q&A where the audience can ask questions.

Western NC once hosted large herds of livestock being driven to market along the early roads traversing the country. While the main drover’s road in western North Carolina ran parallel to the French Broad River, another route connected the southeastern Piedmont to Asheville via the Hickory Nut Gap. This soon became a stagecoach route as well, connecting Asheville to Lincolnton, and the historic Sherill’s Inn at the mouth of the gap hosted numerous travelers along the way. The history of this vital passage through the Blue Ridge involves Native Americans, livestock and drovers, common and famous travelers, Civil War soldiers, and much more. We invite you to learn more about its importance in WNC history in this virtual program.

NC House Rep. John Ager

John Ager is a state legislator and also a land manager of the Hickory Nut Gap Farm. He and his wife live in Fairview and manage the functioning Sherill’s Inn as a wedding venue. Their family has lived and operated farms in the area for five generations. John is also a co-founder of the Fairview Library and Drover’s Road Scenic Byway and the author of We Plow Gods Fields, a biography of James G. K. McClure and the history of the Farmers Federation.

Sherill’s Inn (City of Asheville Photo)

Tickets: Free for WNCHA members/ $5 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

You must pre-register and purchase your tickets in order to receive the Zoom link. For questions contact Trevor Freeman at education@wnchistory.org