05/29/2026
On May 29, 1893, after traveling several days by train from New York, the first group of 29 Waldensian settlers arrived in the area that would become known as Valdese.
The group was welcomed by a crowd of nearly 50 people from neighboring communities. In gratitude and friendship, the settlers gifted members of the welcoming party edelweiss flowers they had carried across the sea from their homeland. After the warm greetings, the difficult work began. The settlers immediately set to work clearing land and preparing the area for the larger groups that would arrive later that year.
Shown here is a list of the first 29 settlers, along with photographs from the group’s first year in the area.
Today we remember this group and the sacrifices they made so that we could all be here today. Through their courage, faith, and determination, they built not only homes and farms, but the foundation of a community that continues to thrive more than 130 years later. We honor their legacy and remain grateful for the enduring spirit they brought to Valdese.
