Press release from organizers:
Starting at 10 a.m. each Saturday morning in November, guided walks along Hendersonville’s Main Street will reveal the town’s charming history and interesting architectural designs — with stops at the Historic Courthouse, Skyland Hotel, City Hall, and other historic shops and structures along Main Street. Cost is $10 per person 10 years and older. Children under 10 are free with a paid adult. Space is limited. Reservations are suggested. Gather in the lobby at the Police Dept. entrance of Hendersonville City Hall, beginning at 9:30 a.m. City Hall is at the corner of Fifth Avenue East and King Street. Parking is available at the King Street entrance.
The walks will be about 90 minutes and will be held rain or shine. Stroll with tour guide Mary Jo Padgett to answer such questions as — who donated the land where the new town would be built, what is the age of the oldest block of buildings, what was on the third floor (and in the basement) of the old City Hall, who was the town named for, bordellos, shoot-outs, trolley lines and much more. To make reservations or for more information, email Padgett at maryjo@maryjopadgett.com. After Nov. 1 she can also be reached by phone at 828-545-3179. Private group tours of eight or more people may also be arranged at any time.
“The Saturday morning guided history walks resume in November — designed to celebrate and share with locals and visitors the interesting history and architecture of downtown Hendersonville,” Padgett said. “Groups are welcome to make arrangements for a private tour time. I believe that knowing our history enriches our lives.”
Padgett served on Hendersonville City Council for eight years, is a journalist and public relations consultant, co-founder and former executive director of ECO, was associate editor at The Mother Earth News magazine, and conducts programs and guided tours in Paris, France, on the American Revolution. Her parents spent their honeymoon in the Skyland Hotel on Main Street. She grew up on a farm in Rutherford County, and has lived in a 100-year-old house in downtown Hendersonville for 34 years.
The guided walks on Main Street will be held on Saturdays throughout the month and will resume next spring. Group tours of eight or more people can be scheduled any time. The tours are conducted under the auspices of The Trolley Company, which conducts history, wine, and apple orchard tours around Henderson County.
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