A 175-year-old oak tree fell and damaged the Coffee Barn at the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center during a storm this week.

Photo via Shakori Hills arborist Ronnie Lilly

Officials said the storms that rolled through central North Carolina on Wednesday night caused the tree to fall on the organization’s property in rural Chatham County. Music festivals and other events are held throughout the year at the property southwest of Chapel Hill.

Shakori Hills Community Arts Center president Carol Woodell said that no one was injured when the tree fell.

“It is still too early to tell if the Coffee Barn is a total loss,” Woodell said in a release. “We are assessing the damage with the proper authorities and will make a determination as to the future of the structure based on their feedback.”

Four festivals are scheduled and expected to draw thousands to the grounds over the next two months: The Big What? August 16 – 18; Hoppin’ John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention, September 13 – 15; Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance, October 4 – 7; and REI’s Outessa Fest, October 20.

Photo via Shakori Hills arborist Ronnie Lilly

“We do not expect this to interrupt our upcoming festivals and are working to remove debris and secure the barn for the safety of all our visitors,” Woodell said. “We are truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support by our Chatham County citizens and those beyond. Many of us consider Shakori Hills our home away from home and embrace the spirit of community our beautiful 72-acre site provides.”

Anyone who would like to donate to support the cleanup effort can do that through the organization’s website.

Photo via Shakori Hills arborist Ronnie Lilly

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