Tuesday, May 05, 2020 / Published in Arts, Buncombe County History, Crafts, Forgotten People, Oral History, Women

Elsie’s Story – Hidden Stories in Oral Histories

Working in local history archives at UNCA Ramsey Library and at Pack Library’s North Carolina Room, I thought often about the many fascinating stories that remain hidden in the oral histories of both collections. Until the interview is transcribed, the story remains untold. Few people will have the time or the patience to listen to the
Friday, November 22, 2019 / Published in 52 Weeks 52 Communities, African Americans, Asheville History, Buncombe County History, Local History, Manuscript Collection, New Donations, Oral History

The only historical image of Shiloh? 52 Weeks, 52 Communities.

When I went searching our database for sources to write this edition of 52 Weeks, 52 Communities I had one thought when the results came back: “This cannot be it.” Alas, this seems to be the only historical image of the Shiloh Community in the North Carolina Collection here at Pack Memorial Library. This photo,
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Tuesday, April 09, 2019 / Published in 52 Weeks 52 Communities, Buncombe County History, Local History, Manuscript Collection, Oral History, Photograph Collection, Women

Voices from Old Candlertown: 52 Weeks, 52 Communities

The voices of our community members are one way we learn about our past. Eleanor Newcomb Rice knew this, and made it her work to collect the voices of “Old Candlertown” for many years. Rice was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1924, but when she was young, her parents moved her and her three older
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 / Published in 52 Weeks 52 Communities, African Americans, Architecture, Asheville History, Buncombe County History, Forgotten People, Local History, Manuscript Collection, Oral History, Postcard Collection

Building Biltmore Forest: 52 Weeks, 52 Communities

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