Although an $870,000 trust fund exists to support the Buncombe County Public Libraries’ historical archives, manager Katherine Cutshall says she’s been locked out of accessing that money for years due to the county’s legal confusion.
Q&A: Mary Crowe on the community effort to rename Clingmans Dome
Mary Crowe shares her experiences in a community-based effort to restore Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi.
Conabeer Motor Building sports an unusual history
Built in 1928 and designed by the architectural firm of Beacham and LeGrand, the three-story space at 162 Coxe Ave. has been home to Well Played Board Game Café since summer 2022.
Council to consider historic designation of Walton Street Pool
The nearly 75-year-old facility was identified as a potential historic resource through the city’s African American Heritage Research Survey.
Asheville Archives: The literal and fictional death of a milliner, 1884
Despite her failing health, Cynthia Hill Wolfe owned and operated the Millinery and Notion Store during the final years of her life in Asheville. Though her death in 1884 did not inspire an outpouring of grief by members of her community, aspects of her life and personality were revived by Thomas Wolfe in his 1929 novel, Look Homeward, Angel.
Q&A: Robin Lake on her quest to uncover her late father’s military service records
Xpress sits down with Robin Lake to discuss her and her sister’s journey to uncovering her father’s military records and the subsequent honor their late father received.
Local author reexamines his youth in Asheville, 1960-80
Dan Lewis, an accomplished local musician, recently put down his guitar in order to pen his memoir, Growing Up In Asheville, North Carolina: How Music and Art Spurred a Renaissance In a Sleepy Southern Town.
Asheville Archives: Local residents adjust to wartime daylight savings, 1941-45
“Clocks all over Asheville, Western North Carolina, and the state will be turned up an hour at midnight tonight, or tomorrow morning, as this state goes on daylight saving time for the remainder of the summer, as a national defense measure,” The Asheville Citizen reported in its July 27, 1941, edition.
Around Town: Buncombe County Special Collections blog opens to community posts
The Buncombe County Special Collections blog opens up to community submissions. Plus, local multimedia artist puts on augmented reality show, author chronicles history of the Toe River Valley, and photographers express experiences of queerness through visual autobiographies.
Midwives and doulas, past and present, in WNC
On Monday, June 20, historian and educator Kelly Dunbar and doula Cindy McMillan will present African American Women’s Midwifery and Doula Work in Buncombe County: Then and Now.
New book explores the legacy of George Masa
Brent Martin’s book includes 75 of Masa’s photos alongside essays that contextualize the imagery through a modern-day lens.
The 400 Years Project celebrates Indigenous photographers
The collaborative project archives historical work by Indigenous photographers and helps contemporary Native people committed to the craft.
Local historians reflect on the Vance Monument, one year after its removal
While some historians were already telling fuller stories before the monument’s removal, others have been inspired by its absence.
Asheville Archives: Hyperbole in defense of Mission Hospital, 1923
In 1923, both the city and county questioned the fairness of certain policies in place at Mission Hospital. The scrutiny provoked the ire of The Asheville Citizen’s editorial section.
Indigenous Walls Project brings Cherokee language to public spaces
Jared Wheatley’s mural project seeks to stimulate conversations between Native and non-Native people.
Asheville Archives: City loses its cool over ice shortage, 1919
For multiple days in August 1919, the city was without ice. During that time, the Asheville Ice Co. implored residents “to watch every possible source of waste and to make every pound of ice go as far as it can for the next two or three weeks.”
Asheville Archives: Local officials promote a cleaner city, 1909
In 1909, Asheville launched Clean-up Day, which later evolved into Clean-up Week. Residents and city officials rallied behind it, going as far as to publish a poem about the advantages of the annual happening.
Local author’s new book honors Olmsted’s work with national parks
The Asheville-based author discusses the book he’s been working toward his entire career.
Asheville Archives: City seeks smoke inspector to remedy air pollution, 1916-40
In 1916, the city of Asheville hired A.H. Vanderhoof as its first smoke inspector. Though an ordinance was quickly passed to reduce excess smoke, enforcement proved difficult.
Friends of the Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School complete repairs to historic building
Thirteen years after the Mars Hill Anderson Rosenwald School’s fate was in jeopardy, individuals committed to its preservation have completed an extensive round of repairs.
Kristy Woodson Harvey’s new novel explores a vanished Biltmore heirloom
The Beaufort-based author conducted in-depth research about the Vanderbilts for her contemporary historical novel.