Richard Russell speaks on the rise and fall of Sulphur Springs

From a press release:

Richard Russell speaks on the rise and fall of Sulphur Springs

Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County hosts program about Malvern Hill’s most famous resort and the man behind it

The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County (PSABC) presents a special program by Richard Russell about the development and demise of historic Sulphur Springs Resort in the Malvern Hills area of Asheville. Russell will talk and show slides that tell the tale of the storied hotel’s fascinating history and Robert Henry, the man behind it all. The western expansion, sacred Indian grounds, the pioneering family who built the resort, the glory days and the sad demise of Sulphur Springs – it’s all part of Russell’s presentation.

Russell is an Asheville historian of some prominence. After 40 years in the health care profession, he’s turned his focus to our region’s rich and varied history. Russell’s books include Robert Henry – A Western North Carolina Patriot, recipient of The Foster A. Sondley Award from the Old Buncombe County Genealogy Association, and Fear in NC – The Civil War Journals of the Henry Family, winner of the Bob Terrell History Award.

“Richard Russell has a captivating subject here,” says Kieta Osteen-Cochrane, Education Committee Chair. “The Sulphur Springs hotel is gone and just the spring house remains, but the site is still brimming with history, Indian lore, the Henry family’s determination and, of course, the glamorous aura of the resort’s heyday.”

The lecture event will take place at 1:30 pm on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Malvern Hill Presbyterian Church at 5 Bear Creek Road in Asheville. Generous sponsors include Terry and Ted Van Duyn. PSABC members and all area residents are invited. A $10 donation is suggested.

ABOUT THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF ASHEVILLE AND BUNCOMBE COUNTY (PSABC)

The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to sustain the heritage and sense of place that is Asheville and Buncombe County through preservation and promotion of the unique historic resources of the region.

Established in 1976, the PSABC acts in four key ways to support this mission:

– Endangered Property Intervention using preservation easements, a revolving fund and technical field services,
– Preservation Advocacy promoting and defending important historic resources and neighborhoods,
– The Griffin Awards for Historic Preservation recognizing individuals, businesses and organizations that have utilized a preservation ethic in their projects, and,
– Preservation Education programs throughout the year informing the community of the importance of history and promoting valuable preservation tools and efforts.