As historians and archivists, we feel a deep certitude that acknowledging the past is a vital part of shaping a stronger future. In late September, we will pause to reflect on this challenging past year, grieve our losses, honor our community, and discuss paths forward.
BCSC will be open for research by appointment only from Monday, September 22 through Saturday, September 27. (Appointments must be scheduled at least one business day in advance, and are limited to two hours. Appointment availability is not guaranteed.)
We invite you to join library staff, volunteers, and community partners at events here at Pack Memorial Library, other BCPL library branches, and throughout WNC commemorating the one-year mark after Helene.
We are deeply honored that so many of you have chosen to allow your stories, photos, and art to become part of the library’s local history collections. Come Hell or High Water, the community memory project we began in January 2025, has grown to encompass a deeply moving multitude of images, songs, poems, stories, oral history interviews, art exhibitions, and events.
Contributions are still being accepted. As you reflect on how our collective story should be remembered, please consider adding your perspective, so that present and future generations will be able to understand and learn from your experience.
Please get in touch if you have questions, need help with a contribution, or would like to share your story in an oral history interview.
The Story of Asheville’s Water
Tuesday, September 9, 6:00 pm – 7:00pm
Lord Auditorium, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street
Author Michael Holcombe will discuss his book The Story of Asheville’s Water: Before & Beyond Hurricane Helene, the first-ever comprehensive account of how Asheville’s water drove its development from its beginnings in the 1880s to how the utility plans resurrection from Hurricane Helene. In the book, Michael explores the importance of this abundant natural gift to the growth of our city and its reputation as a “climate haven.”
Asheville’s water resources director throughout much of the 1990s, Michael spent over two decades in the management of the Asheville municipal water system. He set out to write The Story of Asheville’s Water after the infamous municipal outage of December 2022.
MANNA Resilience Award Presentation And Party
Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Jaime Byrd Contemporary Art Gallery, 375 Depot Street, Suite 105, Asheville
In March 2025, BCSC hosted a book launch for Stronger than the Storm: Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, a collection of work by more than two dozen of the region’s finest writers and artists who turned to their craft in the first few weeks after the storm.
On September 18, please join the book’s creators at this Resilience Award event, where they honor their pledge to contribute 100% of the book profits to the MANNA local recovery effort. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Learn more here.
Turning the Page on Helene: Altered Book Workshop
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Activity Room, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street
Turning the Page on Helene is a community-based art project that is using the transformative power of altered books to tell our communities’ stories of Hurricane Helene through the visual arts. The goal is to create a safe space for community members to share experiences of the hurricane as well as their hopes for rebuilding a better and brighter future. Participants help co-create community altered books by making pages that capture their experiences of the storm. This workshop will be led by Angela Modzelewski, ATR-P. Learn more here.
Film Screening: Swannanoan Silt and The Swannanoa River
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Lord Auditorium, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street
BCSC invites you to attend the Helene anniversary screening of two short films by local filmmakers: Drew Erin Adams’s The Swannanoa River (2023) and Isaac King and Tristan Turner’s Swannanoan Silt (2024).
Swannanoan Silt will also be accompanied by a live musical score by the filmmakers’ collaborator, Agis Shaw. After the screening, filmmakers Adams, King, and Turner will engage in a Q&A and discussion period with the audience.
This screening is presented in conjunction with an exhibition of Isaac King’s photographs, on view in the BCSC reading room through September 30. Developed using water from the contaminated French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers in the immediate months after the storm,the images take on visual artifacts and damage borne from their contact with the same water that destroyed the landscape depicted therein. Learn more here.
Swannanoa Community Altar
Saturday, September 20 – Monday, September 29, 2025
Swannanoa Fire Department, 103 South Ave., Swannanoa
Community members are invited to bring any items they wish to contribute and place them around the flagpole.
Embracing Tomorrow
Tuesday, September 21, 2025 at 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Trackside Studios, 375 Depot Street, Asheville
The artists of Trackside Studios invite you to join them for a time to both remember the past and embrace tomorrow. Artists will gather to reflect on the events of the past year, which included the flooding of our studio spaces, and to honor the people and support that brought us from rebuilding to thriving into the future. We will also celebrate the friendships that grew along the way with live music, food, beverages, and community. Learn more here.
A Day of Community and Remembrance with Resources for Resilience
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Swannanoa Public Library, 101 W. Charleston Ave, Swannanoa
On the anniversary month of Helene, join Resources for Resilience™ at the Swannanoa Library for an afternoon of learning and community connection. During this two-hour event, you’ll gain practical tools to manage stress and support friends and neighbors through hard times.
- PRACTICE stress-reducing tools and strategies to turn good intentions into real support.
- LEARN how challenges affect us all differently
- DISCOVER what to say and do for others after a crisis
- SHARE difficulties and lean on one another
Registration is required and limited to 25 participants. Reserve your spot here.
From Helene and Back: Nature’s Wake-up Call – A Radio Documentary
Premiering Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 9:00 pm
Tune in WNCW 88.7 FM or via via livestream at http://www.wncw.org
With a year gone by, this is a good time to ask, what can we learn from Helene and how can we rebuild a more resilient community that can overcome any challenges we face? The Center for Cultural Preservation presents a radio documentary featuring interviews with geologists, meteorologists, emergency managers, landslide and flood experts and Helene survivors, premiering on WNCW 88.7 FM and via livestream at http://www.wncw.org.
Post-Helene Symposium
Wednesday, September 24 – Friday, September 26, 2025
University of North Carolina Asheville
Centered around the themes of “Remembering, Rebuilding, and Reimagining,” this cross-disciplinary, multi-day symposium will bring members of the UNC Asheville community together with members of the Asheville/Buncombe County area to assess impacts, share narratives, explore historical contexts, offer scientific analyses, and showcase artistic responses. Learn more and register here.
The Heart of the Mountains
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Highsmith Student Union, UNC Asheville, 1 University Heights
Presented by NC Local in partnership with UNC Asheville and newsrooms across the state, this evening of stories and conversations will share how we’ve helped one another, what we’ve lost, and what we’ve learned as our region continues to recover. A pre-event reception will be held from 5:30-6:30, followed by storytelling and interviews highlighting the voices of unsung heroes from 6:30-8:00 pm. Learn more and register here.
After Helene: Practical Preparedness
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester
Alex McKnight from Buncombe County Public Safety Communications will share practical, affordable ways to be prepared for a natural disaster in this free event. Topics will include:
- how disasters can unfold locally
- what to put in adult/child/pet “go” bags
- how to build a 72 hour home supply kit on a budget
- creating a simple family communications plan
- considerations for seniors
- trusted local/state resources.
Land Recovery Series
Tuesday, September 24 – Wednesday November 19, 2025 at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
NC Cooperative Extension Office, 49 Mount Carmel Road , Asheville
Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation will be joined by local experts who will discuss selecting trees, managing invasive plants, using plants to mitigate the effects of damage, and replanting in storm-damaged areas. The events are free and will be held through November. Each session will include a classroom portion and an outdoor/indoor demonstration. Registration for in-person attendance is required, and each class is capped at 40 participants. Click here to register.
Heroes of Helene
Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company – The Meadow, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Suite 200, Asheville
Hosted by the Asheville Chamber, Explore Asheville and Highland Brewing in partnership with City of Asheville and Buncombe County, this evening of remembrance and recognition features music, local food, tributes and community connection. Learn more and register here.
Take II: The Grand Reopening of Marquee
Thursday, September 25 at 6 – 9 pm
Marquee Asheville, 26 Foundy Street, Asheville
Celebrate Marquee’s return to Foundy Street in the River Arts District after being closed for one year following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Starting at 6 PM, an opening reflective ceremony will be held, followed by a community welcome celebration. Featuring booth openings of 300+ of Marquee’s artists and makers, music by Nex Millen, live performance art installations, and list bites.
Glen Bridge River Park River Blessing
Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28, 2025
Glen Bridge River Park, 77 Pinner Road, Arden
Anyone is welcome to offer a blessing and toss flowers into the French Broad River at the time that is most convenient for them while supplies last. Flowers and example blessings will be provided at the river access point.
Primal Scream Club
Friday, September 26, 2025 at 9:00 – 9:30 am
Craven Street Bridge, 192 Riverside Drive, Asheville
West Asheville Library is hosting a community gathering for people who want to LET IT OUT. Our first Primal Scream Club will take place on 9/26/2025, a date in WNC history many of us will always remember. Join us at the Craven St. Bridge at 9 AM for 3 of the loudest screams you can muster, than go on about your day. Let’s feel all the feels together. More details here!
Photos from Helene Gallery Show & Opening Reception
Friday, September 26, 2025 at 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Little Animals Community Gallery, 31 Carolina Lane, Asheville
For the first time since the project started, Photos from Helene will be sharing hundreds of the photos collected as part of their project to reunite victims with their photo memories. They’ll be on display at the Little Animals Gallery on Friday, September 26th from 5-8 pm. Please join us for a night of remembrance, art, and fundraising for ongoing Helene recovery. Learn more here.
Hurricane Helene One-Year Commemoration with Wine To Water
Friday, September 26, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Appalachian Mountain Brewery, 163 Boone Creek Drive, Boone
Nonprofit organization Wine To Water invites you to honor the resilience of those impacted by the storm and the hard work that has brought us to this point. Featuring musical performances by the Pressley Laton Band and Sycamore Bones. Tickets are free, but attendees must RSVP to reserve a ticket and to receive a complimentary food and drink voucher. Learn more and register here.
Remembering Helene
Friday, September 26, 5:30 – 8:45 pm
Warren Wilson Chapel & Fellowship Hall, 101 Chapel Lane, Swannanoa
After a community dinner, this candlelit ceremony will include ritual, reflection, story, song, and an area for children to express themselves through art. The free event is open to the public. Find more information here.
Healing from Helene: One Year of Rebuilding and Healing
Friday, September 26 at 6 pm
32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville
Beloved Asheville offers a time to gather in brave space to share our stories and collect the sacred memories of our experiences in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The event will feature food, music, story telling, art and memory walls, and an altar space.
Still Strong – Fairview United
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 9:27 am – 4 pm
Fairview Community Center, 1357 Charlotte Highway, Fairview
Join FairviewStrong.org and The Garren Creek Foundation for the Walk to Remember, a day of remembrance and creative resilience, and a vibrant market celebrating our local businesses. Find more information here.
Helene: One Year Later – Community Remembrance & Resilience Day
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
On the one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene, join the East Asheville Public Library for a daylong series of events and activities centered around remembering the events of the past and building resilience and community for the future.
Community Tree Giveaway
Saturday, September 27, 10 am – 2 pm
Black Mountain Town Hall, 160 Midland Ave., Black Mountain
Town of Black Mountain’s event will honor the community’s resilience, commemorate the progress made in recovery, and take tangible steps to restore the tree canopy lost during the storm. At least 200 free native trees will be distributed to Town residents, complete with planting and care instructions to ensure long-term growth. Other event highlights include a special program with Town elected officials and a community reflection corner of interactive activities where residents can share stories and memories over the past year.
Swannanoa River Blessing and Beacon Village Gatherings
Saturday, September 27
Various locations
At 10 am, the Swannanoa community will gather to walk from the main station of the Swannanoa Fire Department in Beacon Village to the Whitson Avenue Bridge for a river blessing and song. Blunt Pretzels (120 Alexander Pl., Swannanoa) will offer a free community meal and music beginning at 11 am, and Short Sleeves Coffee (222 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa) will host a free kids’ art program in coordination with Asheville Creative Arts at 1 pm. (Note: The Whitson Avenue bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic for a short time during the walk.)
Swannanoa Community Art Show
Saturday, September 27 (10 am – 5 pm) – Sunday, September 28, 2025 (12 – 5pm)
216 Whitson Avenue, Swannanoa
A group of artists living in and around the Swannanoa area gathered and organized to create multiple art responses to the disaster, and a show of their work will debut at the former church turned community center on Whitson Avenue.
Celebrate Resiliency & Recovery in Weaverville
Saturday, September 27, 11 am – 1 pm
Lake Louise Park, 122 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
The Town of Weaverville will host a celebration of resiliency, rebirth, and gratitude with remarks from Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons, Buncombe County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards, and Dry Ridge Historian Judy Craggs. Find more information here.
Haywood County: Hurricane Helene Oral History
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Waynesville Public Library, 678 S Haywood Street, Waynesville, NC
Haywood County residents will have an opportunity to tell their story related to Hurricane Helene and have the audio recording preserved in the Haywood County Public Library History Collection. Registration is required. Contact Mason at 828-356-2507 or mason.vanderlugt@haywoodcountync.gov for more information.
Climate Change and Social Justice in the Wake of Helene
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 3 pm
Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Road, Black Mountain
This free forum will focus on climate change, its role in intensifying storms, and the storm’s impact on resources, property, and the people who face them head on. Rev. Dr. Patricia Tull and Rev. Rebecca Barnes, both of whom are leaders in the environmental and justice ministries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will speak, and Dr. Mallory McDuff, Warren Wilson College professor and author, will moderate the discussion. Find more information and register here.
Biltmore Forest Commemoration
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 4 – 6 pm
Biltmore Forest Town Hall, 355 Vanderbilt Road, Asheville
Town residents are invited to commemorate the anniversary of Helene alongside neighbors and staff. The event will include a photo slideshow and story collection. Find more information and RSVP here.
Bee Tree Candlelight Vigil
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Bee Tree Fire Station, 510 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa
The Swannanoa Fire Department will host a candlelight vigil to remember the 43 lives lost in Buncombe County and honor the community’s resilience.
Anniversary Concert and Dinner
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7 pm
First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street, Asheville
First Baptist Church of Asheville Adult Choir will be joined by the Asheville Symphony and the All Souls Cathedral Choir for a free community concert to celebrate the resilience of the region. At 6 pm, a free barbecue meal will be served in the sanctuary parking, with the concert to follow. The concert will feature Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna and Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living. More information is here.
Historic Preservation in the Wake of Helene
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
The Friends of the East Asheville Public Library present Historic Preservation in the Wake of Helene, with the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County. This talk will be given by by Jessie Landl, executive director of PSABC, and Josi Ward, president of Foreground Consulting, LLC. Doors open at 6 pm.
Rising Above Helene Documentary Film Screening
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
Join 100Strong Productions filmmakers for a screening of the documentary Rising Above Helene. The film is about the strength of people and community. Through heartfelt interviews, sweeping visuals, and on-the-ground storytelling, the film captures the quiet determination of neighbors who came together to rebuild what was broken.
The film runs 63 minutes and will be followed by a Q&A. Find more information here.
Leicester Community Resilience Conversations: Hurricane Helene: One Year Check-in
Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road, Leicester
Join the Leicester Library in this series of resilience conversations to foster community resilience and promote personal well being. These conversations will be structured so as to be respectful and supportive. Light snacks will be provided. All are welcome and registration is NOT required.
To stay up-to-date on upcoming BCSC events, consider signing up for our blog via email, following us on Instagram or Facebook, or visiting the Buncombe County Public Libraries calendar. (Hint: Use the “Program Type” filter to view only events with a local history focus!)
