Be inspired by world-class special exhibitions and the Asheville Art Museum's outstanding collection, showcasing the very best of 20th and 21st century American art and the cultural heritage and contemporary art of Western North Carolina. This award-winning Museum presents 14 exhibitions and hundreds of public programs annually and welcomes visitors of all ages.

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Relax on our trolley as you weave and twist through the oldest, and most haunted, mountains to visit the chilling sites of Asheville. Spend 60-90 minutes absorbed in the darkest clouds of the "Land of the Sky.

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You'll tour through Montford Historic District, one of the largest historic districts in North Carolina! You'll see Asheville's impressive collection of Queen Ann style historic homes, the exquisite Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa where six U.S. presidents and countless celebrities and historical figures have visited, see the Thomas Wolfe Home and Museum, travel through Battery Park shopping and restaurant district and the Grove Arcade, Visit Pack Square cultural area, Biltmore Village, River Arts District, enjoy fabulous mountain views and so much more. Our professionally trained tour guides will relate the history and lore of Asheville… the Paris of the South. Your guide will combine humorous stories and historical information into a fun-filled tour. Asheville's Longest Running Trolley Line. Unlimited Hop-On & Hop-Off Privileges

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More than 50 parks offering golf, swimming, tennis, skateboarding, roller hockey, climbing wall, nature center, playgrounds, basketball, community centers, ballfields, picnic shelters, trails and much more.

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The Asheville Tourists are a single-A minor league baseball team that competes in the 16-team South Atlantic League. The Tourists are currently affiliated with the major league team, Colorado Rockies.

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The Asheville Urban Trail has often been called Asheville's "museum without walls." Started by a small group of citizens interested in helping revitalize downtown, the Urban Trail consists of thirty stations of bronze sculpture around downtown. Each station has a plaque illuminating some of the very interesting history of downtown's development and the various notable people who once lived here. Mostly local artists helped to create the whimsical bronze sculptures and other art works that are found at each station. The tour is a 1.7 mile walk that begins and ends at Pack Place and takes about two hours to complete in its entirety. Groups can arrange to schedule a tour guide by contacting Christy Ammerman at the Asheville Area Arts Council 10 days to 2 weeks in advance of their desired tour date. Guide-led group tours are $5/adult and $2/child. Additionally, walking guides and maps are available for self-guided tours free of charge at Pack Place and the Asheville Area Arts Council.

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Completed in 1909, the Basilica of St. Lawrence D.M. is one of Asheville's architectural treasures and spiritual anchors. Designed by Rafael Gustavino and Richard Sharpe Smith, renowned architects on the Biltmore House, this Catholic church has the largest freestanding elliptical dome in the country.

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Discover the wonders of Biltmore™ in Asheville. Begin with the breathtaking beauty of 250-room Biltmore House — America's largest home® — and century-old gardens. Explore our 8,000-acre backyard through a variety of activities from horseback riding to rafting. Please your palate at our award-winning winery and restaurants, then browse our shops for unique items inspired by George Vanderbilt's estate. Finally, savor the long-lasting benefits of a luxurious getaway at our four-star inn.

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A visit to the Winery at Biltmore is a truly unique experience. At America's most visited winery, you can explore, taste and relax. Start by exploring the historic Winery housed in the renovated Biltmore Dairy by strolling through the cellars and getting a bird's eye view of the state-of-the-art winemaking process. Then, step into the spacious tasting room where you can sample a wide variety of wines specially crafted by winemakers Bernard Delille and Sharon Fenchak. With nearly 50 different wines, there is a wine to suit everyone. Sit in on one of the wine seminars, such as Red Wine & Chocolate, to learn more about the joys of pairing wine and food. To round out your experience, find a quiet spot on the patio or enjoy some local live music in the Wine Bar and relax with a glass of your favorite vino and some tapas.

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This community arts facility, housed in the beautifully renovated Old City Hall, has exhibits in the Gallery along with programs in music, visual and performing arts. The Main Floor has monthly Concerts every 4th Friday featuring acoustic musicians from the area. The Gallery exhibits provide a wide array of subject and media, from contemporary and traditional paintings to sculpture, photography, and ceramics. Special events range from theater, storytelling and film, to festivals, concerts, and sing-alongs. Classes and workshops offer everything from belly dance to painting to dry stack stonewall to photography. Behind the main building, a newly renovated Pottery Studio offers a full range of classes for adults and youth, community memberships, and "paint-on" pottery. The Black Mountain Center for the Arts also presents an annual Art in Bloom, a 3-day flowers and art show. There is something for everyone all year round - so You Can Be a Part of the Arts!

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The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC) was founded in 1993 to honor and pay tribute to the spirit and history of Black Mountain College and to acknowledge the College's role as a forerunner in progressive, interdisciplinary education with a focus on the arts. Emphasizing the individual rather than the institution, the College had striking success in producing creative people of great talent and originality. Black Mountain College left both a remarkable legacy in the arts and an important educational model. Through exhibitions, publications, lectures, seminars, films and oral history interviews, BMCM+AC is committed to spreading awareness about Black Mountain College. In 1995 we organized a Black Mountain College reunion for former faculty and students. Other ongoing projects include a website and the development of a permanent collection to provide safe storage for artwork and historical materials related to the College.

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The 25 western most counties and Qualla Boundary in North Carolina comprise the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. In designating this region as a National Heritage Area in 2003, Congress recognized that the cultural and natural resources of the Blue Ridge Mountains have played a significant role in the history of the United States and the State of North Carolina. Some of the defining landscapes include the deepest gorge in the Eastern U.S., Linville Gorge; the oldest river in North America, the New River; the most visited National Park lands in the country, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway; the highest mountain east of the Rockies, Mt. Mitchell; the ancestral home of the Cherokee, and America's largest home, Biltmore.

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Dedicated in 2001, the Buncombe County Civil War Memorial honors soldiers who served in the militaries of the Confederacy or the Union during the Civil War. The memorial is housed on the grounds of Smith-McDowell House, Asheville's oldest home.

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This National Park Service site honors the accomplishments of American poet Carl Sandburg. Take a guided tour of the historic home; visit the farm and trails. Free for farm and trails. Fee for house tour; cash and check only.

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The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is operating day excursions leaving from Asheville hotels for a day trip to Cherokee highlighting the cultural attractions. A maximum of 14 excursion guests will be transported by a van driver. Participating hotels include: Crowne Plaza Resort phone 800-733-3211, Holiday Inn Biltmore West phone 800-678-2161, SpringHill Suites by Marriott phone 828-253-4666, and Courtyard by Marriott phone 828-281-0041.

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Make your first stop in Cherokee at our new welcome center. Get assistance with your questions, directions, tickets for shows and attractions. You can also pick up other local information and brochures.

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One of NC's newest state parks, Chimney Rock brings the best of the mountains together in one place. Stand atop the 315 ft. Chimney Rock and see amazing 75-mile views of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure and the Carolina Piedmont. With unique hiking trails, the Park has something for everyone from the family-friendly Great Woodland Adventure trail with 12 discovery stations along the way to the more adventurous Four Seasons trail which climbs more than 400 ft. Be sure to hike the Hickory Nut Falls trail - the reward is the 404 ft. falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the East. Chimney Rock also offers guided rock climbing lessons for beginner to advanced climbers. The Old Rock Cafe and Sky Lounge Deli offer tasty sandwiches and snacks to get you fueled up for your hike. Souvenirs of your trip can be picked up at Cliff Dwellers or the Sky Lounge Gift Shop. The Park offers discounts for groups, and is pet friendly.

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Volcanoes! Earthquakes! Jewels! Amazing minerals! Mining! Where can you explore all this and more? At the Colburn Earth Science Museum, a downtown fixture since 1960, began as the Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum. Still home to the amazing collection of gems and minerals that have made it world renowned; the Colburn expanded its mission in 2004 to include all the earth sciences. With all ages, interactive, hands-on exhibits on geology, plate tectonics, meteorology and the history of mining in Western North Carolina, the Colburn Earth Science Museum is truly a place where the earth comes alive. Located on the lower level of Pack Place in the heart of Asheville near restaurants and shops, a visit to the Colburn is an adventure of discovery that the whole family will enjoy.

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Home of the first forestry school in America, this historic site offers guided walks, historic buildings, living history interpreters, outdoor fun, antique equipment, an old logging train, and the Forest Discovery Center.

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Steeped in history, Asheville's downtown boasts more art deco architecture than any southeastern city other than Miami Beach. Over 150 unique shops, galleries, and cafes offer lots of opportunity to browse or buy.

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Established in 1965, the museum is home to 19 rare and vintage automobiles as well as some original horse-drawn carriages and Asheville's 1922 Fire Engine.

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A guide to find everything that is handmade, cool, funky, beautiful, relaxing, breathtaking, outrageous, scenic, historical, spiritual, natural, & downright artistically amazing in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

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Home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild representing craft artists from Southern Appalachia. Houses three fine galleries and offers daily craft demonstrations. It is also the home to Allanstand, the nation's first craft shop, and a Blue Ridge Parkway information desk and Eastern National bookstore.

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Ghost Hunters of Asheville offer paranormal enthusiasts three separate ghost tours to hunt spirits in Asheville's supernatural world. These 90-minute tours cover different aspects of historic, haunted Asheville. Our exclusive interactive downtown tour uses ghost-hunting equipment and guarantees paranormal photographs. Historic Montford District's architectural beauty and stunning landscapes serve as backdrop for hunting ghostly specters. Riverside Cemetery beckons to those who dare enter and commingle with the ghosts of eras past. Our superior customer service includes free use of ghost-hunting equipment, no minimum number of guests required for tour, smaller tour sizes for more personal attention and one-hour pre-tour cancellation policy. Call to reserve your special spot today! We look forward to sharing our ghost hunting adventures with you.

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Step back into the Wild West at Ghost Town in the Sky. Surrounded with breathtaking views in a beautiful mountain setting, Ghost Town is a timeless, family theme park located in the heart of Western North Carolina.

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The Go Blue Ridge Card is an all-access pass that includes admission to 30 of Western North Carolina's most popular attractions. Pay just ONE LOW PRICE for the pass and visit as many attractions as you want, while saving up to 35% or more compared to the cost of buying individual tickets at each location. Enjoy such top attractions as Biltmore; Chimney Rock State Park; Grandfather Mountain; whitewater rafting; Cherokee; Linville Caverns; and Tweetsie Railroad – these and 20 other attractions are all included in the single cost of your Go Blue Ridge Card. With everything you need already loaded onto your Card, you can focus your trip on collecting memories instead of credit card receipts. Available online at or purchase locally in Asheville at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce at 36 Mortford Avenue and at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Milepost 384 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Offering visitors easy access to its towering peaks, Grandfather Mountain is one of the most biologically diverse mountains and in the world designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Feel the rush when you cross the Swinging Bridge; marvel at 360-degree views from one-mile above sea level; photograph bears, otters, cougars, eagles and deer in natural habitats; hike rugged back-country trails or stroll gentle nature paths; eat in our restaurant or take your order out to one of many scenic picnic areas; chat with our entertaining, knowledgeable staff and let us help you find your own perfect mountain adventure.

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Asheville's most popular tour! Hop aboard one of Gray Line's nostalgic red trolleys for a fully narrated journey, highlighting the history, homes and hot-spots of this "City of Surprises." The Gray Line Trolley Tour includes all major points of interest including the diverse Montford Historic District, legendary Grove Park Inn, Art Deco-rich downtown Asheville, the artsy and edgy River Arts District and quaint Historic Biltmore Village. Remain onboard for a comprehensive 1.5 to 1.75 hour tour, or hop-off at any of Gray Line's eight trolley stops along the route to shop dine and explore, then re-board the next trolley to continue your tour. The tour also includes free admission into the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Historic Site. Join the tour at the Asheville Visitor Center or any tour stop and enjoy old-fashioned fun for everyone!

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Travel through fertile valleys and down into moutain gorges. Offering 4 to 4.5 hour round-trip and Dinner Train excursions in beautiful Western North Carolina. Depot is in Bryson City, NC.

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Located just steps from The Grove Park Inn, there exists a picturesque architectural environment that radiates old world charm. Grovewood Gallery, housed in a 1917 English-style cottage, is truly a destination for the serious collector and the casual shopper alike. Grovewood exhibits 9,000 sq. ft. of handmade American crafts by more than 500 artisans and features an impressive second floor studio furniture collection.

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One of the Carolinas' most fascinating, unique and enjoyable shopping environments, Historic Biltmore Village features more than 40 shops, restaurants and galleries, each housed in historic 1900-era homes and buildings.

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Enjoy our Southern hospitality. You'll discover scenic natural beauty, historic sites and districts, Carl Sandburg Home NHS, Flat Rock Playhouse, Dupont State Forest's waterfalls and trails plus family fun and entertainment!

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This 1880s brick farmhouse is listed on National Register. Former summer boarding house and farm. Museum, guided tours, miniature horses and antique farm equipment displays.

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Definitely not your mamma's typical tour bus experience, LaZoom is Asheville's only rolling comedy tour bus. One of WNC's most unique things to do, LaZoom's 90-minute odyssey through Asheville spells quirky fun for both first-time visitors and long-time residents. Each tour takes you to Asheville's favorite neighborhoods and landmarks and features a knowledgeable and witty tour guide, a heavy dose of corny jokes, and slapstick characters all along the way. So, prepare to laugh your socks off and Get on the Bus! Voted Asheville's #1 attraction by previous LaZoom bus riders on TripAdvisor.com.

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Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Montford area, just north of downtown Asheville, boasts a variety of architectural styles as well as historic tidbits. Today, the area contains homes and businesses, including 11 bed and breakfasts.

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Enjoy the glide of Asheville's only downtown Segway Tour. Starting at the Asheville Visitor Center, you will receive training followed by a 2 to 2.5 hour tour of downtown including the Grove Arcade, the Asheville Urban Trail and parts of the Montford Historic District.

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The Museum of the Cherokee Indian transports visitors through the world's largest collection of Cherokee artifacts, archives and documents while connecting to the living traditions of the Cherokee today. This educational, interactive experience begins with ancient Cherokee myths from a people who have lived in Southern Appalachia for 11,000 years and takes visitors through a vivid history of survival and sophistication as the Europeans pushed onto Cherokee land. Visitors will meet some of the best-known Cherokees and learn of their heroic efforts to preserve their beloved tribe, land and way of life.

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434-acre public garden in south Asheville with 65-acres of cultivated gardens including the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, 10 miles of forested trails, Garden tours, Segway® Tours, Art Walk, Nature Activities for kids, rotating science, art and cultural history exhibits, a Cafe and gift shops.

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The North Carolina Homespun Museum presents a historical overview of Biltmore Industries and its internationally renowned wool cloth. Inside the museum, photographs depict important events from Biltmore Industries history, including its origin in 1901 by Eleanor Vance and Charlotte Yale, through its growth under Fred Seely, and to its revitalization by Harry Blomberg. The museum showcases memorabilia such as letters, photographs, and tailored suits made from Homespun fabric. There's also a 15 minute video on the history of Biltmore Industries, and a 60 year old 4-harness loom on display.

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See Western North Carolina through its writers' eyes! Buy the book, or use the online travel guide, for day or half day tours that take you to the communities, historic sites, and hangouts of notable writers.

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Step into the Oconaluftee Indian Village and back to the mid-1700s to witness Cherokee life at a time of rapid cultural change prompted by the influence of the British and their contemporary lifestyle. Experience pottery, basketry, blowgun demonstrations, arrowhead knapping, mask and canoe carving, beadworking, and weaving. Witness the replica village prepare for an attack from European settlers in the outdoor mini-drama "A Time of War". Listen as Villager Guides answer questions about all things Cherokee and experience traditional Cherokee social dance like the Quail Dance, among others, at the Village Square. Audio cell phone tours are also available. "Hands on Cherokee" offer visitors classes on the traditional, ancient techniques of pottery, basketry and beading. Taught by Cherokee artisans at the Village, class sizes are limited, and advanced registration is recommended.

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This vibrant centerpiece of downtown Asheville houses the Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Earth Science Museum, Diana Wortham Theatre and The Health Adventure. A few steps away is the YMI Cultural Center. Pack Place also has five versatile event space for any occasion.

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Visit one of Asheville's oldest historic cemeteries and the final resting place for many of Asheville's early prominent citizens, including the famous authors Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry.

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Relive the Victorian era at Asheville's oldest house (circa 1840). Explore opulent period rooms, history exhibits and grounds designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers.

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Presenting a collection of radios from World War I to the 1960s - early amateur and home radios such as Atwater-Kent and Philco, many from the 1920s and 1930s plus an operating amateur radio station.

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The Southern Highland Craft Guild works to instill and maintain excellence in the design and workmanship of crafts taught, produced and marketed in the southern Appalachian region. Headquarters are located at the Folk Art Center which also houses three galleries, Allanstand Craft Shop and a bookstore.

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The primary museum of general history in Buncombe County, with exhibits that reflect the pioneer history of Western North Carolina, interpreted in photos and artifacts from the Swannanoa Valley, east of Asheville.

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The Health Adventure is a fun-filled educational museum that sparks curiosity about health and science. Explore two levels of interactive exhibits, including blockbuster traveling exhibits from across the country. Participate in hands-on activities led by our expert educators. At The Health Adventure, we encourage creativity and individual discovery through smart fun.

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Known for its legendary craftsmanship, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Inc., was founded in 1946 to secure fair prices and provide a year-round market for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian artisans. As the nation's oldest and leading arts and crafts cooperative, Qualla has 300 members who create baskets, pottery, wood and stone carved sculpture, beadwork, fine art paintings and more for display and purchase at the co-op. Many member artists work with age-old, traditional techniques and materials, while others experiment with new methods and abstract forms. Entry to Qualla is a juried process and is restricted to enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The purity and simplicity of ancient and contemporary Cherokee arts and crafts on display in the co-op's gallery have attracted collectors from around the world, and free gallery tours are available Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the summer. Qualla also offers appraisals and repair services.

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Novelist Thomas Wolfe's boyhood home and setting for his 1929 novel "Look Homeward, Angel". Visitor Center offers audio-visual presentation, exhibits and gift shop. Tours of the historic Old Kentucky Home are offered hourly.

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"Unto These Hills" retells Cherokee history from the Cherokee perspective. The popular, family friendly play traces the Cherokee people over a period of several hundred years, through the zenith of their power, through the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears and ending in the present day where Cherokee people, much like the new script that was unveiled in 2008, continue to rewrite their place in the world. The story comes to life with live music, ritual dance and authentic Cherokee costumes in the 2,100-seat, newly renovated mountainside amphitheater under the stars. Since its debut in 1950, more than 5 million visitors have attended the memorable drama.

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The WNC Nature Center is 40 acres of animals in their native habitats. It provides an opportunity to learn, to touch and to know our rich natural heritage through educational and interactive exhibits.

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One of Asheville's national historic landmarks commissioned by George Vanderbilt in 1893. Today the refurbished center houses art galleries, classes and performances in African-American cultural art and history.

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This pioneer farmstead, tucked in the Reems Creek Valley, features the birthplace of Zebulon Baird Vance. The five-room log house--reconstructed around original chimneys--and its outbuildings are furnished to evoke the period from 1795- 1840. Vance's political career as Civil War officer, North Carolina governor, and U.S. senator is traced at the homestead. Also included is the history of Vance's famous mountain family. One of the dominant personalities of the South for nearly half a century, Zeb Vance served in public office for 30 years. Though he was a lawyer whose keen humor, intellect, and eloquent manner of speaking made him successful, his real interest was always politics. Characterized by a quality that tied him to the common people of the mountain coves, Zeb Vance was first elected to public office at the age of 24. He served in the N.C. House of Commons (legislative assembly of the day) and the U.S. House of Representatives and was elected governor three times.

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