Points of interest

FENCE (FOOTHILLS EQUESTRIAN NATURE CENTER) is a unique nature education and recreation facility nestled on more than 300 acres of green space in Tryon’s Old Hunting Country. FENCE combines facilities for nature education, including more than five miles of nature trails and nature exhibits at the FENCE Center, with an award-winning equestrian facility featuring two lighted show rings and stabling for over 200 horses. An active bird watching program includes FENCE Ventures (professionally guided travel programs to other parts of the Southeast and to Europe and Central America) as well as a number of nature study programs for adults. THE POLK COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, originally chartered in October 1962, was reorganized in 1977 under the directorship of Dr. Joseph Placak. The Polk County Museum was then established in the Tryon Depot and renovated in 1978. Local records, books, photographs, and other artifacts of historical significance are housed there. Hours: Tues. & Thurs., 10 a.m. until 12 noon.

POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - Dedicated October 1992, it seats 750, has a total state-of-the-art sound and lighting system and an orchestra pit. It is designed to accommodate solos to a full symphony. The Auditorium has hosted such events as the Augusta Ballet, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and many student programs. It is available to the community, both profit and non-profit and is maintained by the staff and students.

THE LANIER LIBRARY Association in Tryon continues operation of one of the oldest libraries in North Carolina - still a subscription library, operated without public funds but funded by its own membership. Housed in its original building built in 1905, the library is named for the Southern poet, Sidney Lanier, whose widow presented several books of his poems at the Library’s founding in 1890.

THE TRYON FINE ARTS CENTER has a 315-seat auditorium, a Mural Room for gatherings, an Exhibition Gallery, work rooms, an outdoor garden and is home for the following organizations: Tryon Little Theater with more than 900 members, produces four plays a year, including one musical. TLT holds acting workshops and play-reading groups, and members enjoy occasional picnics and parties. Tryon Crafts, Inc. chartered in April 1960 by the State of North Carolina, is a non-profit organization. It is supported by dues, sales, tax deductible contributions and registration tuition fees. Classes given at Crafts include weaving, silver making, enameling on copper, rug hooking, crewel and needlepoint, macrame, wood carving, knitting, chair seating, stained glass, lampshades and oshibana. The classes are taught by qualified teachers. A retail shop is open to the public. The Carolina Camera Club brings together photography buffs in the area to share their mutual interests in the enjoyment and mastery of photography through cooperative effort and good fellowship. Monthly lectures and member participation programs sustain the varied individual interests. The Tryon Painters & Sculptors is composed of professional and amateur artists, some of whom are nationally known. One of this group’s objectives is to provide the community with varied monthly art exhibits in the gallery and other public areas of the Center. The Gallery is considered by many visiting artists to be one of the finest small galleries in the Carolinas. It operates without Federal, State or Municipal support.

THE UPSTAIRS, INC. ART GALLERY has monthly shows for the community featuring local professionals as well as those known nationally. Many of the events are juried shows. they also host “The Pickin’ Parlor” featuring local musicians performing folk and bluegrass music.

THE TRYON THEATRE is centrally located in Tryon and is the only first-run movie theatre for 28 miles. Originally a vaudeville theatre it still operates with its original carbon-arc projectors which are approximately 60 years old. They also offer amateur theatre productions, concerts and foreign films.

THE TRYON RIDING & HUNT CLUB puts on several events every year, the best known being the Block House Steeplechase in April and the Tryon Horse Show in May. Primary aim of the Club is to promote horsemanship of all kinds in the area, and to that end the TR&HC sponsors many junior events.

THE GREEN CREEK HOUNDS & TRYON HOUNDS in Polk County, NC and GREENVILLE County HOUNDS & Stonebrook in SC foxhunt over the miles of rolling, wooded land here, with its post and rail fences and ditches.

In Flat Rock, North Carolina, which is about a 30-minute drive, is the nationally-known FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE. One of the finest Summer Stock theaters, it boasts visiting artists such as Joanne Woodward.

In Brevard, North Carolina, approximately an hour away, is the well-known BREVARD MUSIC CENTER, which hosts nightly concerts during the summer months as well as a nationally recognized school of performing arts for youth. Guest artists and conductors are nationally as well as locally known.

In Asheville, North Carolina which is 50 minutes away is a fine LITTLE THEATRE, SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and an auditorium which boasts such performers as Johnny Cash, Winton Marsalis and Elton John. In Spartanburg, South Carolina, about 30 minutes away, there is a SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, a strong LITTLE THEATRE, the SPARTANBURG ARTS COUNCIL and a huge auditorium which features Broadway shows such as Evita and Cats.

In Greenville, South Carolina, which is 45 minutes away, are the PEACE CENTER and the BI-LO CENTER. Both are state-of-the-art facilities presenting national and international performers year-round. There are also three fine community theatres.