When did Asheville’s renaissance begin?” We are often asked that question in the North Carolina Room. It is also the topic of a lot of published articles. Most responses turn straight to the 1990s. But native Ashevillians and those who lived here in the 1970s and 1980s usually see it differently. In just a few weeks, Pack Memorial Library’s
Author, Filmmaker, Songwriter BILL JAMERSON: Civilian Conservation Corps Camps (CCC) Monday, March 14, 2016, 6:00 – 7:00 pm Pack Memorial Library, Lord Auditorium (Lower Level) 67 Haywood Street, Asheville, North Carolina Bill Jamerson, recognized for his Public Television documentaries, will present a music and storytelling program about the Civilian Conservation Corps: a nostalgic program
Robert Henry, Forgotten Pioneer and the Sulphur Springs Hotel (Malvern Hills, West Asheville) Bring a brown bag lunch and go back in time with local historian Richard Russell. Wednesday, February 24, 12 noon–1 pm Pack Memorial Library, Lord Auditorium (lower level) 67 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC The event is free and open to the public.
It was a momentous day. Tuesday, November 24, 2015 the staff of the North Carolina Room joined with the staff of the Youth Services Department, Pack Memorial Library and invited the third grade class at Isaac Dickson Elementary to visit the North Carolina Room. Our hope was to show the students a little bit about what
Here’s a hint: Do you know the cultural origins of the banjo? The banjo comes to us from Africa, having been brought to the New World by slaves. This was news to me, although several people in the audience of Phil Jamison’s talk were able to answer the question correctly. What about Southern Appalachian music and
Phil Jamison Talks About Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics The Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance Wednesday, October 28, 2015, 6 pm–7pm Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street Lord Auditorium, lower level Come hear Phil Jamison when he will journey into the past with stories – and a little music and dance– telling the history
HUNGRY FOR HISTORY Brown Bag Lunch Series Continues: Bring a bagged lunch and join us. Wednesday September 30, 2015 12 noon to 1 pm: Kevan Frazier: “Asheville and The Roaring 20’s” In celebration of the Allied Victory in World War I, the 1920s ushered in an era of what some believed would be permanent prosperity.
I have worked in the North Carolina Room for over 22 years, and I never knew–or even had a glimpse–of this part of Asheville’s history: the huge impact of Jewish merchants on downtown Asheville. Whole blocks of stores on Asheville’s main streets, South and North Main, Patton Avenue and Haywood Street, were owned by Jewish
Isaac and Sarah Malke Michalove immigrated from Lithuania, Russia and came to Asheville in 1890. Isaac, a pioneer Jewish merchant, operated the Michalove Wholesale Grocery company. Isaac and Sarah’s daughter Hattie, born Sept. 20, 1890, married Barney Pearlman and they immigrated in 1901, coming to Asheville in 1908. Barney operated several groceries, and then opened a small store on Patton