Did you ever visit the Broad River Community Library? The tiny little library in this rural southeast Buncombe County community first made an appearance thanks to the New Deal-era program called the WPA or Works Progress Administration. The WPA funded all manner of social programs, including arts and literary efforts, like rural libraries. The Broad River
In Celebration of Women’s History Month Becky Stone Portrays Civil Rights Activist Pauli Murray Thursday March 28, 2019 from 6:00 to 7:00 Lord Auditorium, Pack Memorial Library, Lower Level All events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served I Pauli Murray was a published poet. An Episcopal Priest. An Attorney and
When you think of Biltmore Forest the first thing that comes to mind is probably a sea of early 20th century wealthy white golfers. In this week’s edition of 52 Weeks, 52 Communities we’re sharing an Oral History from our archives that sheds light on the construction of Biltmore Forest by African American workers. Take a look
March is Women’s History Month, and I would never forgive myself if I didn’t share some of the amazing photos we have in our collection of some of the incredible women who lived their lives, in whole or part, in the Biltmore Village community. Beyond the “Lady on the Hill” there are some fascinating stories
The Bent Creek Ranch was a hot vacation spot for equestrians from all over the country in the mid-twentieth century. The lodge and guest cabins provided a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of modern life – a step back into “simpler times.” A postcard sent to a Nashville couple from the Bent Creek
Fetching its name from Hezekiah Barnard, who owned stock stand and inn near the Forks of Ivy in the 19th century, Barnardsville is one of Buncombe County’s most rural communities. Things get a little fuzzy on where exactly Barnardsville ends and Democrat and Dillingham begin, but we’ll get into that when we look at those
Victor H. Ring may not have coined the phrase “driving while black”, but he understood first-hand the various roadblocks and bumps in the road for black travelers 80 years ago. The first issue of The Negro Motorist Green Book was published in 1937. In fifteen pages, Mr. Green offered a guide to New York
Lenora T. Jackson 1859-1950 Leonora Tecumseh Jackson died in Asheville in 1950 at the age of 91. Her brief obituary mentioned the schools where she had taught and simply stated that she was “a teacher of 62 years.” Leonora was born in 1859 in Halifax County to Caroline Garrett and Andrew Jackson. She had two