Celebrate 90 Years of History on Opening Day, April 16th

When we open on April 16, we will not only be celebrating our many new exhibits and displays, but also the 90th birthdays of  two of our founding members--Harriet Styles and Bill McMurray--and our building.  Built in 1921, the building that now houses the Swannanoa Valley Museum was designed by Richard Sharp Smith as the Black Mountain Fire Department. Smith was in town working as the project architect during the construction of the Biltmore House when he was approached to build the fire station.

The Museum's Board, members, and volunteers have been working to restore the building since the museum first opened its doors in 1989. The capital campaign to raise money to fund repairs to the building is also restarting this year after the economic downturn stalled the restoration process a few years ago.

Come celebrate with us on Saturday, April 16th from 10 am to 4 pm!

Sunshine & Warm Weather in Time for our Spring Events

Enjoy the beautiful spring weather on our high and historic hikes and daycations.

April 3: Horseback Tour of Camp Rockmont

April 16: Swannanoa Rim Hike,

              Museum Opens for the Season!

April 17: Thomas Wolfe and Riverside Cemetery Tour Daycation

April 30: Sunset Photography Hike

May 7: Mitchell Fall's Hike

May 11: Cradle of Forestry and lunch at Pisgah Inn Daycation

May 14: Wildflower Hike to Pearson's Falls

May 21: Swannanoa Rim Hike.

Prices vary. For more information visit www.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/events.

Pre-registration is required. To register please call 669-9566 or email info@swannanoavalleymuseum.org.

Calling All History Buffs--Become a SVM Docent

The Museum opens for the season in less than a month! Our volunteers have been busy preparing exhibits and planning events. What we need now are a few more good men and women to serve as docents.

Being a docent is a fun way to learn about and share the history of this great community. Plus you get exclusive invitations for our beginning of the season docent's luncheon and end of the season volunteer banquet. Our docent's training will be held Thursday, April 14th at 10 AM at the Museum.

Docent shifts typically last 2 to 4 hours and you can take as many or few shifts as you would like. We particularly need people on Saturdays from 12-4 and in the afternoon during the week.

To become a docent contact Sharon Stenner at 669-5078.

Seven Sisters Cinema--Stranger With a Camera

The Seven Sister's Cinema at the White Horse will be showing Stranger with a Camera, a 1-hour documentary featuring WNC people and places, on Thursday, March 24th at 7pm.

In 1967, in rural Appalachia, a Canadian documentary filmmaker, Hugh O'Connor, was shot and killed by a landowner who thought he was trespassing on his property. More than thirty years later, this crime is revisited and recontextualized through an examination of the role the media played in representing the people of Appalachia during the time of the incident, a period in which the news media had been flooding the town with news crews, leaving many residents feeling invaded and frustrated with how their simple lives were being misrepresented to the world.

Cost is $5.00 or $3.00 for students with an ID.

Hello from our new Director, Anne Chesky

As I type on this beautiful spring day, looking out at the Seven Sisters from the second floor of the tallest and one of the most historic buildings in Black Mountain--our Swannanoa Valley Museum--I know I am in the right place.

After growing up in the Riceville area of the Swannanoa Valley, I spent part of high school and college away from home.  I've worked in New York City, New Zealand, and Peru.  But, deep-down I knew my home would always be in the valley.  So, I came home and in May of 2010, I graduated from Appalachian State University with a Master's degree in Appalachian Studies. It was through this program that I discovered the importance of saving and preserving our local history. I found myself back in Riceville collecting stories and photographs from the many long-term members of the community; it soon became a passion.

I've been so blessed to be able to turn this passion into a full-time job. I look forward to working with our Board, volunteers, and members to help the museum continue to grow and serve our community.