Stories with Heritage

14 Stories Posts
DeWayne Barton of Hood Tours stands outside of the Burton Street Peace Garden in Asheville, NC

Asheville's African-American History Tours Uncover Voices from Past & Present

Take A Walk Around "The Block" With Hood Tours Founder DeWayne Barton It’s a festive Saturday afternoon in Asheville, N.C.'s Triangle Park on South Market Street, just a few blocks from the city center, and we are greeted by the smell of fish frying, the booming sounds of hip hop, and friendly faces, all set against the backdrop of a vibrantly colored mural. “This

50 Things to Do in Asheville, N.C. - Hiking, Dining, Music, Art and Outdoors

50 Things to Do in Asheville, N.C.

If you’re looking for things to do in Asheville, then consider this list your primer to the many activities available in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, or perhaps well acquainted with the flair of this Southern Appalachia getaway, here are 50 ideas to help you see, do, and explore the best Asheville has to offer. Ver la versión en

Wolfe Big

Asheville's Literary Connections

Asheville's literary heritage stretches across the 20th century and contemporary authors continue to be drawn here. These well-known novelists, poets, essayists and storytellers have ties to Asheville: F. Scott Fitzgerald, who spent two summers at the Omni Grove Park Inn Thomas Wolfe, Asheville native and author of  Look Homeward, Angel Carl Sandburg, poet and biographer O. Henry,

Fall Cheese Board

Appalachian Food Legacies and Mountain Harvest

From hand-tied fishing lures to moonshine lore, Appalachia embodies a colorful culture all its own The Blue Ridge Mountains, the spine of southernmost Appalachia, are gently rolling as ranges go. Some of the oldest mountains in the world, the Blue Ridge and its famous scenic parkway are a source of much of the region's beauty, character—and even cuisine. Though the autumn trees are best

Storyteller Cherokee Man

Over the Blue Ridge to Cherokee Territory

Asheville’s Ancient Connections The Asheville of today features stunning Art Deco architecture, the sounds of drums in Asheville's Pritchard Park on a Friday night and the smells of international flavors as you pass by myriad of local restaurants. But stop and ponder this: the area traces its roots back to The Cherokee, a sacred and ancient civilization dating back 11,000

Video Thumbnail - youtube - Jerry Read Smith - Making Dulcimers in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Mountain Sounds, Legacy of Dulcimers

Locally Crafted Instruments Lend Melodies a Blue Ridge Ring Enthusiasts of Appalachian music are likely familiar with the whimsical sounds of dulcimers, instruments that have a rich legacy tied to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Jerry Read Smith, a local craftsman who has made more than 8,000 musical instruments, builds hammered dulcimers in his workshop in the nearby town of Black Mountain. The

Omni Grove Park Inn Spa

How Asheville Became a Mountain Spa Escape

Asheville, N.C.’s Healing History as a Wellness Retreat Asheville, North Carolina's climate was recognized almost 200 years ago as offering vital benefits to anyone who could make the trip up the mountains from South Carolina, Georgia and other regional hot spots. In Asheville and nearby towns, the chief attractions were cool mountain air and gentle breezes, the absence of

Omni Grove Park Inn - Historic 2

Asheville History: The Legendary E.W. Grove

A Man with a Vision for Asheville Edwin Wiley Grove (1850 – 1927) E.W. Grove not only shaped the city of Asheville, he set in motion his dream that Asheville would become the alluring destination it is today. But who was the man behind the legendary name? Tragedy Leads To Purpose During the nineteenth century malaria struck the South with a vengeance. There was no cure and it became one

Black Mountain Firehouse Historical

Hike 12,000 Years of History in the Swannanoa Valley

Experience a Popular Hike Series in Black Mountain, NC A group of hikers tops a ridge, puffing a bit at the incline. As they straighten and look up, pure blue skies open to sweeping views of the mountains surrounding the Swannanoa Gap. The Swannanoa Rim™ Hiking Series has once again lured serious hikers to walk trails whispering 12,000 years worth of human secrets. During this annual hiking