Location
Huntersville, North Carolina, 28078
-
Sun, Jun 28 02:00 PM
2026 Guided Tours at the Hugh Torance House & Store -
Sat, Jul 04 02:00 PM
HEARTS 250th: Forging Our Freedom '26 -
Sun, Jul 05 02:00 PM
2026 Guided Tours at the Hugh Torance House & Store -
Thu, Jul 09 11:00 AM
Sharpe House Tea and Tour -
Sun, Jul 12 02:00 PM
2026 Guided Tours at the Hugh Torance House & Store - See more events
About this event
Andre’ Kearns, Co-Chair of HEARTS Reunion Project, returns to historic Cedar Grove to share his latest findings on Henry Brevard of Lincoln County at this year’s 5th anniversary of HEARTS Junion celebration. Since HEARTS spearheaded the effort to save Brevard’s Chapel in 2025, understanding the story behind the man for whom the chapel was named has been a primary goal for the Reunion Project. Through Andre’s endeavors, we know much more now than ever before.
Kearns is a passionate genealogist, community historian, and proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Kearns has become known for uncovering remarkable family stories that illuminate the broader American experience. At last year’s Junion, Kearns shared discoveries about his ancestors: Johannes Schmier, a German immigrant and Revolutionary War patriot, and Henry Johnson, his third-great-grandfather, who was born enslaved in Lincolnton, North Carolina
This year, Kearns answers the compelling question of “Who was Henry Brevard?” Kearns gave a sneak peek into his findings at the HEARTS United to Save Brevard’s Chapel Gala. Research into Lincoln County’s antebellum iron mines and forges offers new insights and connections throughout the region on the Brevard, Graham, and Forney families, as well as the enslaved people who worked in the ironworks. Henry Brevard was an enslaved ironworker on the Brevard plantation, who became a successful blacksmith in Catawba Springs after the war. Kearns shared, “Within a decade of the Civil War’s end, he did something extraordinary. In 1874, Henry Brevard purchased 90 acres of Lincoln County land in his own name.” It was through his property ownership that Brevard’s Chapel came to be. Founded on Henry’s land originally, the land was transferred by deed to the church in the 1880’s.
HEARTS Junion also includes new eco-minutes, live music, and a new visual art exhibit in Cedar Grove’s Center Hall, “Liberty,” made possible in partnership with Nine-Eighteen-Nine Gallery.
We are thrilled to present our featured musician for HEARTS Junion ‘26, DaShawn Hickman. Hickman is known nationally for his mastery of Sacred Steel, a unique musical tradition that originated within African American Pentecostal churches of the 1930's, and blends gospel music with the expressive sounds of the pedal steel guitar. Hickman grew up not only hearing the pedal steel in the tiny House of God church his family attended in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, but also listening to his mother play lap steel in their home. Hickman picked up the instrument at the age of 5, after his mother put it down to concentrate on ministering. By the age of 12, his local reputation as a pedal steel player was such that he was regularly asked to play at other area churches.
Dashawn has most recently spent time traveling with Cirque du Soleil as a member of the Songblazers band, a new country-themed show, the first of its kind. Hickman has also graced the cover of many notable music magazines, Blues Blast and All About Jazz, as well as been featured in Vintage Guitar Magazine. He was also recognized as one of the country's best upcoming artists with nominations from IBA (International Blues Association) and Blues Blast Music awards. Hickman says, “I just want people to enjoy the music and forget about the day. Just live in the time and space that we have been given.” We hope you can join us for this musical treat!
