History
Faithful Elegance
When the owner and Director of Hidden River Events, Dr. Jeanne Matthews Sommer, was hiking through Joyce Kilmer National Park several years ago, she saw two old-growth poplar trees standing side-by-side in the forest. The two trees became the inspiration for her motto, “Faithful Elegance,”. Their paired image suggested to her what it means to join one’s life to another, standing rooted and strong in one place—abiding together gracefully, learning how to thrive amidst all the changes that come one’s way.
Nature As Inspiration
Once with us at Hidden River, you’ll see how nature continues to inspire. Guests are likely to see some of the most magnificent sunsets they’ve ever seen while at Hidden River. From the banks of the Swannanoa River that flows along the edge of our property, from the midst of one of our fields with long and wide-range views of one of the most beautiful valleys in the region; or beneath one of our beautiful marrying trees and with the oldest mountains in the world as your witnesses, you’ll see how a heart can soar here, like the hawks and herons that pass frequently overhead.
Land of the Hidden River
The land of Hidden River itself has a rich and ancient history, dating all the way back to the first peoples who hunted and fished in this valley. One of the oldest Native American archeological sites is located just across the river from us on the property of Warren Wilson College. Once the settlers moved in, agriculture flourished. Not that long ago, Hidden River was a strawberry farm! The previous owners boarded horses on the land and, back in 1948, Susan Hayward, Van Hefflin and Boris Karlof filmed the classic pre-civil war drama, Tap Roots, right near our property.
There’s been adventure, romance, hard work and silently hopeful aspiration on this land for 100’s of years and we are privileged to be able to continue this legacy on your behalf. There are few places in the Asheville region where you can find so much beauty and simple elegance in one place, managed by those who want to keep your event in perspective and your costs affordable.
Can You Imagine a More Beautiful Place for a Wedding? Contact us today to book a tour.
