Historic Rosedale

Our honeybees are slowly winding down for the fall season; but there's still plenty of their delicious honey available in our gift shop!  Bottles are available in 8 oz, 12 oz, and 15 oz.  Stop by and pick up a bottle or two, and join us for a guided house tour while you're here!  Tickets for tours can be purchased on site, or online at https://www.simpletix.com/e/guided-house-tours-2026-tickets-253555.  Our bees will look forward to seeing you here!

Our staff and volunteers at Rosedale are constantly researching to learn more about those who lived and worked on the site. Recently, blacksmith Marty Foil helped solve a mystery about another of Rosedale's blacksmiths, a formerly enslaved craftsman named George Caldwell. George had been born enslaved at Rosedale, the grandson of blacksmith Nat Caldwell and his common-law wife Agness (family stories indicate he may possibly have been the son of Rosedale owner Dr. Caldwell or perhaps of one of Dr. Caldwell's sons). He would have been quite a young man when Emancipation was declared but was likely already a highly skilled blacksmith. Following Emancipation he became a successful entrepreneur in Charlotte with blacksmith shops of his own. As Marty put it:

"We all knew from oral history etc that George had a second shop located in the Myers Park area. His first house & shop were located at 1006/1007 [N Tryon St]. Our records indicated Providence Rd (but no address) and a reference to the 1923 City Directory. I found that directory online and was able to find him listed at 1000 Providence Rd...That is currently the site of the Myers Park Methodist Church, which broke ground in 1929."

Another piece of Rosedale’s story clicking into place and revealing how its story threads through Charlotte's history!

As part of our ongoing Staff/Volunteer Spotlight, we want to take a moment and recognize one of our volunteer docents and resident blacksmith, Gene Pease!

My name is Gene Pease, I’ve lived in Charlotte since 1993  and I’ve been a Rosedale volunteer for a little more than 1 year.  I am both a docent and  one of the blacksmiths.  For years I passed by Rosedale not knowing it was there, then one weekend I attended a craft fair and was instantly attracted to the place.  After retirement, I found that volunteering filled two of my interests; history and blacksmithing.

I enjoy leading tours through the house and relating the fascinating history Rosedale holds.  In addition, I get to share the rich history of the Rosedale blacksmith shop  while also sharing with guests my enjoyment in the craft.  

I recieve much satisfaction from witnessing visitors' reactions to the house and its diverse history, and also seeing how our guests are amazed at who the original Rosedale blacksmiths were and the craft that continues to this day."

Historic Rosedale is grateful for our volunteers who donate their time and talents to us. Thanks, Gene, for all you do!

Join us on Thursday, September 10th for a thought‑provoking conversation inspired by our exhibit “Love of Liberty: The Revolutionary Spirit of Rosedale.” This special panel brings together historians and scholars to explore the many sides of the American Revolution — and how its ideals, conflicts, and consequences shaped the people connected to Rosedale.

Hear perspectives on the British view of the Revolution, the ways Rosedale’s early families were tied to the fight for independence, and the often‑overlooked African‑American experience during this turbulent era and beyond. From loyalty and rebellion to freedom and contradiction, our speakers will unpack the complex stories that defined the founding and growth of the nation.

This event is FREE and open to the public, but spots are limited. Visit our website at https://www.simpletix.com/e/love-of-liberty-the-revolutionary-spirit-o-tickets-287501 to reserve your space and join us for an afternoon of insight, dialogue, and discovery at one of Charlotte’s most treasured historic sites.

🍂 Shadows of September: A Rosedale Paranormal Festival 👻 Summer may still linger, but fall — and the spirited season — is on its way. Join us Saturday, September 26 for our first‑ever paranormal festival, just in time for National Ghost Hunting Day!

Co-hosted by the Charlotte Area Paranormal Society and Great State Paranormal, this family-friendly event features a full day of fun: a lively vendor market, kid activities (including an Easter‑egg‑style "ghost hunt"), and talks from investigators, historians, and storytellers exploring the Carolinas’ mysterious past.

After sunset, join CAPS and Great State as they lead a scientific ghost hunt of Rosedale’s 200+ year‑old house and grounds. Use real investigative equipment, explore the cellar, and—if you dare—join the more intimate inside‑the‑house investigation (additional ticket required).

Festival tickets, investigation tickets, and combo passes are available now, as well as vendor and club tables. Every ticket supports the preservation of Historic Rosedale. Visit https://www.simpletix.com/e/shadows-of-september-a-rosedale-paranormal-tickets-287508 for more information ant to purchase tickets. 

Come support local history… and maybe meet a ghost along the way! 👻

Have a special occasion coming up? Historic Rosedale is the perfect backdrop for your special occasion photos and videography! From romantic gardens to our iconic 1815 home, every corner offers timeless charm and natural beauty. Visit our website at historicrosedale.org or call our office at 704-335-0325 for more information, and capture your moments in a setting as unforgettable as the memories you’re making!   

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Historic Rosedale is grateful for our amazing volunteers and staff without whom our ongoing work would not be possible. To that end, we want to take a few moments to recognize their hard work and dedication in our twice-monthly Staff/Volunteer Spotlight! Introducing today's volunteer, our Head Blacksmith Martin Foil:

"Hey! I'm Marty Foil, Concord native and a member of the Rosedale Blacksmith Team since Dec of 2023! Currently I am serving as the lead blacksmith, helping to schedule all of our smiths to maximize the Rosedale guest experience and keep the blacksmith shop stocked and running smoothly. I've been a blacksmith for almost 12 years and really enjoy teaching guests about the enslaved smiths of Rosedale and the impact they had across the broader Mecklenburg community as well as demonstrating the craft of 19th century blacksmithing. Come visit me at the forge sometime! Happy to discuss the history of our Rosedale smiths, the role of blacksmiths in the 19th century community, blacksmithing in general or anything that comes to mind! The forge is a fun place to hang out and chat!"

Visit Rosedale to meet Marty and our other volunteers and staff members. They'll be happy to see and talk with you! Visit our website at www.historicrosedale.org for more information.

Happy National Cousins Day!

Today, July 24th, marks National Cousins Day, and Historic Rosedale has plenty of family stories woven through its 200+ years! Come hear the stories behind Rosedale's interconnected families, from signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, to enslaved craftsmen who worked on notable Charlotte landmarks to those in military service who fought during World War II. VIsit our website at https://www.simpletix.com/e/guided-house-tours-2026-tickets-253555 to purchase tickets for a guided house tour, and discover the cousins who helped make Rosedale what it is today.

There are just two more opportunities to vote for Historic Rosedale. Please vote today and tomorrow (remember, you can find us under Things to Do/ Museums.
www.votedcharlottesbest.com

Have you voted?  Historic Rosedale needs your support! Visit https://www.votedcharlottesbest.com/ and hit "Vote Now," then click on "Things to Do" and finally "Museums" to find and vote for us. You can cast a vote every day until July 24th.  Thank you for helping Historic Rosedale on her way to shine as one of Charlotte's Best! 🎉🎉