On Feb. 15, 1925, The Asheville Citizen proclaimed that Swannanoa had entered “the first stages of a boom.”
Swannanoa Valley Museum honors Beacon blankets
“Beacon was Swannanoa,” says Anne Chesky Smith, director of Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center. “Everything that was in Swannanoa was entangled in Beacon,
Asheville Archives: WWNC launches inside the Flatiron Building, 1927
On Feb. 21, 1927, Asheville residents celebrated the arrival of the city’s first local radio station.
Alumni and local historians remember the faculty of Stephens-Lee
On Tuesday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m., local historians and Stephens-Lee alumni will present A Tribute to the Faculty of Stephens-Lee.
Asheville Archives: The Biltmore Estate and its earliest houseguests
In December 1895, the Biltmore Estate opened with a holiday bash. For years to come, houseguests continued to visit and leave behind recollections of their stay.
Asheville Archives: Polio outbreak delays the city’s third annual soap box derby, 1948
In summer 1948, a polio outbreak led to the closure of local theaters, churches and civic gatherings, including the third annual soap box derby.
News briefs: Mayor Esther Manheimer to hold gerrymandering press conference
In conjunction with Buncombe County voters and members of Raleigh-based lobbying group Common Cause North Carolina, the mayor will discuss how gerrymandering splits Asheville voters and advocate for nonpartisan districting reform. The press conference takes place at Pack Square Park on Tuesday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m.
Asheville Archives: Residents debate liquor sales, 1939
In 1939, Buncombe County residents participated in a special election concerning the legalization of liquor sales. Debate leading up to the vote was fiery and contentious.
UNCA hosts this year’s Appalachian Studies Association conference
The 2019 Appalachian Studies Association conference returns to Asheville after 27 years. The annual gathering brings together an eclectic mix of scholars, educators, activists, students, groups and institutions to discuss and present on a wide range of topics related to life in the region.
Asheville Archives: Lillian Exum Clement takes her seat in the House, 1921
On Nov. 2, 1920, Lillian Exum Clement was voted into office as the first female member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The Buncombe County native served one term.
Asheville Archives: Royal Giants take the field, 1916
In 1916, E.W. Pearson formed the Asheville Royal Giants, the city’s first black baseball team.
News briefs: Waters to deliver talk on historical memory, Confederate monuments
Against the backdrop of ongoing controversy surrounding the persistence of Confederate monuments in the Southeast, UNC Asheville history professor Darin Waters will deliver a presentation on Thursday, Feb. 28, about collective historical memory in the wake of the Civil War.
Asheville Archives: High schools students participate in World War II efforts
Asheville and Buncombe County high school students got actively involved in various war-time efforts upon America’s entry into World War II.
Asheville Archives: The lost tradition of the comic valentine
Valentine’s Day hasn’t always been exclusively about love. In the early part of the 20th century, many who participated would just as likely have sent vitriolic cards to their sworn foes.
Asheville Archives: Wheelmen take over the streets, 1890-1900
“The bicycle craze is in full force and effect in Asheville right now,” declared the May 12, 1893, edition of the Asheville Daily Citizen.
Elixir of life: Rural Heritage Museum explores the history of Hot Springs
On Saturday, Feb. 2, the Rural Heritage Museum will open its latest exhibit, A Fountain of Youth in the Southern Highlands: A History of Hot Springs, North Carolina.
Asheville Archives: Mayor John H. Cathey’s fight over City Hall, 1926-28
In the mid-1920s, disputes between city and county officials, as well as the general public, haunted the project to construct a unified civic center.
Asheville Archives: The annexation of West Asheville, 1917
On June 9, 1917, the city of Asheville gained 5,000 new residents with its annexation of West Asheville.
In Photos: 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast
Sixty years ago, Ernest Green and his classmates were just kids trying to graduate from high school.
Asheville Archives: Live music hits the streets, 1919
On May 25, 1919, the Berry Municipal Band performed its first live set in Asheville. The ensemble played a series of free outdoor shows throughout the summer in an effort to expand the city’s appeal to tourists.
News in brief: 2019 living wage, Henderson County school history program
Local nonprofit Just Economics increased its living wage rates for 2019. For those employees not offered employer-sponsored health insurance benefits, the new hourly rate is $13.65; for those offered health insurance, the new hourly rate is $12.15.