Swannanoa Valley Museum

The Swannanoa Valley Museum is the largest membership organization in Eastern Buncombe County, with more than 700 members. This base provides nearly half the income needed to support its operations.

Members receive email notices of monthly events, a bi-annual newsletter, discounts on certain programs and events, and the satisfaction of knowing they are supporting Buncombe County’s primary museum of general history.

Annual memberships are on a rolling basis, with renewals due one year from the date of joining.

Museum memberships make excellent gifts for those who love history and heritage and appreciate it being preserved.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Swannanoa Valley Museum and our philosophy is to offer opportunities to do what they enjoy. Consequently, the Museum has many long-term volunteers. Among the many ways volunteers can serve the Museum, are:

Becoming an intern. Interns work directly with staff to create exhibits, care for our growing collection, and help manage our databases. Interns can also assist with the volunteer opportunities listed below, but commit to a set amount of hours. Interns may receive college credit. All internships are unpaid at this time.
Serving as a docent. The Museum is privileged to have over 40 docents who serve as hosts to visitors, but there is always room for more. People who enjoy meeting and greeting others will enjoy this opportunity.
Assisting with educational programs. As the Museum grows and reaches out to serve all the schools in Buncombe County, people with experience in education, particularly in history education, will be needed to design and implement programs for teachers and students.
Help with collections management, preservation, exhibit design and construction. Volunteers with organizational skills and experience with conservation, preservation, and exhibits are needed as the Museum grows to serve a larger audience.
Program assistance. The Museum has active hiking and field trip programs, and others such as its Oral History program, festival participation, and school programs. Volunteers are needed to help design, develop, and market the mission-fulfilling programs of the Museum.
Research assistance. The Museum receives frequent requests for information about the history of the Valley and the region. Volunteers who enjoy research would be appreciated to help respond to these inquiries in a timely manner.
Retail shop supervision. The Museum is in particular need of help in developing a better small retail area within its wall.
Special events help. The Museum participates in a number of special events during the year, including the Black Mountain Sourwood Festival and Swannanoa's Mill Around the Village. Extra help is always needed.

Donations made in honor or in memory of someone are inscribed in a leather-bound volume that is on display in the Museum. When unsure of what to give someone for holidays or if you want to say a special “thank you” to someone, this is the perfect way to honor both living and past friends and family.

Become a part of the Museum by adding a tile to it’s Wall of History.” This special exhibit is comprised of 4” x 4” tiles which will bear photographs of families, homes, fond memories, and other heritage images. Cost for the tiles is $100 for the first one, $75 for others placed in the same order.