Events at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial

This summer introduced the NC Dept. of Cultural Resource’s cultural heritage initiative, 2nd Saturdays, a series of programs which “combine arts and heritage with food and fun … at all 37 museums and Historic Sites.” On Saturday, Aug. 14, the final 2nd Saturdays program of the summer wraps up.

According to a press release, “The theme at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial is ‘Pen, Paper and Paint: The Art of Creative Expression’ and papermakers, bookbinders, potters and stone carvers will wrap up the series with a bang.

“Explore the talents of Alice Greko, painter and photographer from Hendersonville, NC, or the exquisite creations of German stone carver, Lothar Jobcyzk. Take home some handmade soap made by Asheville soap artist, Tina Glenn, or choose from a unique selection of hand bound books and journals by Asheville book artist, Gretchen Oury. These artists and many more will be featured from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site. The unique power of arts and heritage will make combine for low cost, high reward fun.”

Also worth noting: Tours at the Wolfe House run daily (Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.) at the bottom of the hour and cost a mere $1. While the house itself — the boarding house run by Julia Wolfe (the notoriously thrifty mother to writer/native son Thomas Wolfe) doesn’t change much (and that’s a good thing: Much of the furnishing is actually original and was used by the Wolfe family and boarders) there are updated displays and exhibits.

Currently, “Fabricating the Past” focuses on the place of textile in the Wolfe home. View Julia’s sewing machines, mourning clothes that the Wolfe family wore after the death of Thomas’ brother Ben, Thomas’ own 1930s-era tuxedo and Burberry coat and — no joke — a pair of the writer’s 44-inch waistband boxer shorts.

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

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