Here’s a hint: Do you know the cultural origins of the banjo? The banjo comes to us from Africa, having been brought to the New World by slaves. This was news to me, although several people in the audience of Phil Jamison’s talk were able to answer the question correctly. What about Southern Appalachian music and
Phil Jamison Talks About Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics The Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 6 pm–7pm Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street Lord Auditorium, lower level Come hear Phil Jamison when he will journey into the past with stories – and a little music and dance– telling the history
HUNGRY FOR HISTORY Brown Bag Lunch Series Continues: Bring a bagged lunch and join us. Wednesday September 30, 2015 12 noon to 1 pm: Kevan Frazier: “Asheville and The Roaring 20’s” In celebration of the Allied Victory in World War I, the 1920s ushered in an era of what some believed would be permanent prosperity.
I have worked in the North Carolina Room for over 22 years, and I never knew–or even had a glimpse–of this part of Asheville’s history: the huge impact of Jewish merchants on downtown Asheville. Whole blocks of stores on Asheville’s main streets, South and North Main, Patton Avenue and Haywood Street, were owned by Jewish
Isaac and Sarah Malke Michalove immigrated from Lithuania, Russia and came to Asheville in 1890. Isaac, a pioneer Jewish merchant, operated the Michalove Wholesale Grocery company. Isaac and Sarah’s daughter Hattie, born Sept. 20, 1890, married Barney Pearlman and they immigrated in 1901, coming to Asheville in 1908. Barney operated several groceries, and then opened a small store on Patton
HUNGRY FOR HISTORY A Brown Bag Lunch Series on Local History at Pack Memorial Library Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy a talk by committed hiker DANNY BERNSTEIN Danny Bernstein’s motto is, “No place is too far to walk if you have the time.“ Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 12 noon—1 pm Pack Memorial Library,
A Social for the Friends of the North Carolina Room was held Wednesday, June 24th, 2015 at the Rankin House Inn. The oldest frame house in Asheville, it was built in 1848 by William Dinwiddle (1804-1879) and Elizabeth Lightfoot Roadman (1804-1908) Rankin. It was the perfect place for a gathering of people who love local history. The
If you missed hearing Jon Elliston back in March for the kick-off to our Brown Bag Lunch series, here’s your chance. Lots of people who couldn’t make it at lunchtime, thought we should schedule an evening event. The Brown Bag lunch was actually Jon’s idea, of a way to present to a small group in an informal
Local Asheville residents are hungry for history. Eighty-three people gathered in the Lord Auditorium, Pack Memorial Library to hear new research about the life and family of Rafael Guastavino (1842-1908), the renowned Spanish architect known for his vaults and domes. Guastavino came to Asheville in 1894 for the construction of the Biltmore Estate. He purchased 1,000 acres near Black Mountain for his home,