Valdese in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Outdoor Drama

'From This Day Forward'

— Waldensian Trail of Faith —

Outdoor Drama Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

1. Outdoor Drama Marker

Inscription. Each summer during July and August, the Waldensian story comes to life in a compelling outdoor drama written by Valdese native, Fred Cranford. Being a Historian by profession, Fred naturally fell in love with the Waldensian story and spent a large portion of his life telling it in many ways and through many outlets. We were honored as Fred served on our Inaugural Board of Directors for the Trail of Faith and continued faithfully in that capacity until his passing nearly 15 years later. Fred wrote the outdoor drama for his students at Valdese High School in 1967, and it has played every year since. This outdoor drama is the fourth longest running outdoor drama in America.

Under the auspices of the Old Colony Players of Valdese, local artisans don authentic costumes and under the stars transport audiences back in time. The two-act drama allows modern audiences to experience the undaunted faith and courage that sustained the Waldensians during religious persecutions of the 1680's and also brought them through the struggles of attempting to plant a colony in America in 1893.

The story exciting and deeply moving, with

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moments of heart-wrenching sorrow off-set by scenes of rollicking humor and light-hearted romance, From This Day Forward stands among the finest of outdoor theater entertainment.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.

Location. 35° 44.915′ N, 81° 34.036′ W. Marker is in Valdese, North Carolina, in Burke County. It can be reached from the intersection of Church Street Northwest and Lincoln Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the Waldensian Trail of Faith Museum, near the entrance to the Fred B. Cranford amphitheatre. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Church St NW, Valdese NC 28690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in

Outdoor Drama Marker. Cranford amphitheatre building in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

2. Outdoor Drama Marker. Cranford amphitheatre building in the background

what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lt. Cmd. Eric Allen Cranford (here, next to this marker); Boccia (a few steps from this marker); Outdoor Community Oven (a few steps from this marker); Road Grader (within shouting distance of this marker); The Refour House (within shouting distance of this marker); Drag Pan (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sawmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Sled (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valdese.

Fred B. Cranford amphitheatre entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 2, 2025

3. Fred B. Cranford amphitheatre entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 7, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.