The Surrounding Area
 Southwest Virginia (and northeast Tennessee) is rural, mountainous, and ruggedly beautiful. It's
also the legendary home of the Carter Family. Fabled Clinch Mountain,
celebrated in countless country, folk, and bluegrass songs, rises directly
behind The Carter Family Fold and all the homes and places that are part of
the history of this remarkable musical dynasty.
For those fans
familiar with the history of the Carter Family, the community known as Maces Springs
is the hometown and legendary base of operations for A.P., Sara, and Maybelle, the original
trio. Maces Springs no longer has a post office, and the town of Hiltons now applies to
the area previously known as Maces Springs or Poor Valley. The original family homes and historic sites related to the
Carter Family and previously having addresses in Maces Springs now have addresses in Hiltons.
Where to Stay
Hiltons is approximately 20 miles from the largest nearby cities of Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee, and
Kingsport, Tennessee. These towns have most of
the major hotel chains and are recommended to those planning overnight stays.
Other nearby towns are Abingdon and Duffield (Virginia)
and Johnson City (Tennessee).
If you prefer camping, bring your RV or tent.
Although the Carter Family Memorial Music Center has no hookup facilities, there is space for rustic
camping on the Center grounds.
There are many campgrounds throughout the area as well.
What to See and Do
Carter Family Sites
Five historic landmarks are connected to the Carters and lie
within a few miles of each other. They are:
- A.P. Carter's Birthplace
- The House of A.P. and Sara Carter
- The House of Ezra and Maybelle Carter (and June, Helen, and Anita)
-
Mount Vernon United Methodist Church
and Cemetery
- A.P. Carter Store—now The Carter Family Museum
Of these five landmarks, only the store/museum and the church are open to the public.
A.P.'s
birthplace, an old log cabin and an officially designated National
Historic Site, has been moved from an inaccessible, remote area unavailable
to automobiles and visitors. It now is in the final stages of restoration
and is permanently positioned right next door to The Carter Fold. Although
not quite ready for visits from the public, this treasured piece of American
music history was formally dedicated May 29, 2004.
More.
The two houses—A.P. and Sara's house, Maybelle and Ezra's home—are still owned and occupied by family members
but may be seen from the A.P. Carter Highway.
The A.P. Carter Store, a general store owned and operated by A.P. Carter in the later years of
his life, is now The Carter Family Museum. Located right next door to
the Fold, it is open
Saturdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and during the festival each year.
The Mt. Vernon Church, where A.P. and virtually all of the Carters have
worshipped for decades, has services at 9:45
a.m. each Sunday; Sunday school is at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome; dress is casual. A.P. and Sara,
as are their children Janette and Joe, are buried
in the cemetery behind the church; their graves can be visited at any time. (Maybelle and Ezra
and daughters Helen, Anita, and June are buried at Hendersonville, Tennessee.)
Click on the link above to visit the church's web site.
Other Area Attractions
There's lots to do and see all around Hiltons, Maces Springs, and Poor
Valley.
 Bristol, the site of the historic 1927 recording sessions that are
credited  with
being the beginnings of the country music industry and which included the
first Carter Family recordings, is a must-see for anyone interested in the
evolution and history of country music. The building in which those sessions
occurred is no longer standing, but a monument marks the spot (on State
Street). Not to be missed is the inspiring commemoration mural covering the
entire side of a downtown building (again on State Street). Nearby is the
street named in honor of Ralph Peer, the Victor Talking Machine Company
producer who conducted those profoundly important sessions and who for many
years managed and guided the careers of the Carter Family. Depending on the
day you visit, there may be live music and street dancing in the small park
next to the mural. The outstanding Birthplace of Country Music Museum, is another essential place
to visit.
Abingdon is
home to the historic Martha Washington Inn and Barter Theater. Bristol,
Kingsport, and Johnson City (known as the Tri Cities) have active arts councils that
sponsor various programs throughout the year. Antique shops are scattered
throughout the region and offer something for almost everyone's price
range. The Appalachian Trail runs through the area and is one of many
local hiking trails.
A stroll through Jonesborough, Tennessee (the state's
oldest town) reminds you of a country town from an earlier time. Each
year, Jonesborough hosts a story-telling festival which brings people from all
over the world to the area. The area's mountainous terrain is beautiful
year round but is especially breathtaking in the autumn.
How to Get Here
Interstate I-81 is the closest major highway to
Hiltons.
 Those traveling northbound on I-81 would take the Kingsport Exit onto
I-26 (formerly I-181); following I-26
until it ends. Then, take highway 23 north toward Gate City. You will
soon begin to
see green highway markers pointing the directions to the Carter Fold.
Following those signs, turn right
at the second traffic light onto Highway 58-east toward Bristol. Follow
Highway 58 to Highway 709
and turn left in Hiltons. Follow Highway 709 to Highway 614, then
turn right on Highway 614
to Mendota. This part of the road has been designated the A.P. Carter
Highway. Follow this road for about three miles, when you'll see the Fold on your
left.
 Coming from I-81 south, take Exit 1 (Bristol, Gate City exit). This will put you on
Highway 58. Stay in the right lane to Gate City, then
follow 58 to Hiltons (about 25 miles). Turn right on Highway 709 at the store; follow
Highway 709 to Highway 614, then turn right on Highway 614, the
A.P. Carter Highway. Follow Highway 614 for three miles. You'll see
the Carter
Fold on your left.
The nearest airport to Hiltons (approximately 40 miles away)
is Tri-Cities Airport located at Blountville, Tennessee. Blountville
is centrally located between Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City. Other airports nearby are Asheville
(North Carolina) and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Accommodations
Our area has a wide variety of overnight accommodations from campgrounds to hotels, motels,
and bed-and-breakfast establishments.
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