Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Established by Congress in 2003, the 25-county Blue Ridge National Heritage area recognizes and celebrates the natural abundance and richly varied cultural History of the NC mountains. blueridgeheritage.com
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site Carl Sandburg, American poet, historian, author, and lecturer spent the final 22 years of his long and productive life at his estate, Connemara, in Flat Rock, NC. Today this National Historic Site offers a keen insight on Mr. Sandburg, his family and their 264 acre working farm. The Sandburg Home was built in 1838 and now houses his collection of 10,000 books, notes and papers. The home offers daily tours and is closed only on Christmas Day. There are numerous hiking trails and a functional goat barn, where Mrs. Sandburg raised her prize winning goats. For additional information call (828) 693-4178, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, NC. Admission charged. nps.gov/carl
Cherokee Indian Reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina, where Cherokee Indians have lived for centuries, is located on the border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The 56,000 acre Reservation is still linked to ancient customs, culture, history, and traditions. For additional information call 800-438-1601. cherokee-nc.com
Cradle of Forestry is a 6,500 acre Historic Site within the Pisgah National Forest, set aside by Congress to commemorate the beginning of forestry conservation in the United States. The Forest Discovery Center commemorates conservation history with an 18 minute movie on Vanderbilt, Pinchot, Schenck and the beginning of forestry in America. Outdoor activities include two guided trails which lead you back in time to seven historical buildings, a 1915 Climax locomotive and the old sawmill. Thursdays through Sundays you may find a toy maker, a weaver, a quilter, a wood carver and a basket maker. For additional information call (828) 877-3130-8628 or(828) 884-5713 cradleofforestry.com
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Built in 1892, church has original furnishings and stained glass windows. Located on Charles Street in Saluda. 72 Charles St Saluda, NC (828) 749-9740
Frankie & Charlie Silver Homestead Site Kona The tragic events in the North Carolina mountains on the night of December 22, 1831 revolve around a 19-year-old husband murdered, an 18-year-old wife charged with the crime and an infant daughter left without parents. Speculation about what really happened and why it did has gradually given way to commemoration and healing around the little community of Kona in Mitchell County
Green River Plantation Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. this stately home was built in 1804 and has been lovingly restored to its original grandeur. A magnificent, nineteenth-century, forty-two-room mansion resting on 366 acres of land the plantation reflects the gentility and refinement of the pre-Civil War South. Located on Coxe Road in Rutherfordton, NC. 828-286-1461 green-river.net
Historic Site Historic Johnson Farm Historic Johnson Farm is a fine example of a late 19th and early 20th century farm & tourist retreat. The entire structure was handmade from bricks that were fired on site from French Broad River mud. The Johnson Farm was the home of a wealthy tobacco farmer, Oliver Moss. Construction of the elegant home, smokehouse, and granary began in 1876 and was completed in 1880. Over the years many outbuildings were constructed, including a tool shed/blacksmith shop, barn, boarding house, and a cottage. Tours are offered Tuesday-Friday at 10:30am and 11:30am. The farm is located on Hwy. 191 N. across from Rugby Middle School. For additional information call (828) 891-6585. Admission charged.
Polk County Courthouse On the National Historic Register, courthouse was built by slaves, using native clay bricks, in 1857. Located on Courthouse Street in Columbus.
Historic Site Scriven's Plantation Built in the late 1700s by Govan Mills, this beautiful pre-civil war home has been lovingly maintained by several owners. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.* Contact Polk County Tourism for more information
Sears House C. A. Hughes ordered a kit from the Sears catalog and built this house in 1894. Original in every detail, house is located on N. Peak Street in Columbus, NC Contact Polk County Tourism for more information
Smith-McDowell House Special History Exhibits, Antebellum period decorations and furnishings, Civil War Memorial 828-253-9231 wnchistory.org
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, offers a unique perspective of prominent families in southern and national history. St. John in the Wilderness was built as a private chapel in 1833, on the grounds of Charles and Susan Barings' home, Mountain Lodge. The church was deeded to the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina in 1936. Many well-known members of southern aristocracy have family plots in the churchyard; those names include: Christopher Memminger, first secretary of the Confederate treasury; Rev. John Drayton, developer of the world-famous Magnolia Gardens of Charleston; members of the families of three signers of the Declaration of Independence; Edward P. King, the World War II General who led the infamous Bataan death march. The church and graveyard are open daily from 9:00AM-4:00PM for visitation. The church is located on Hwy. 25 South in Flat Rock. For additional information call the church at (828) 693-9783. stjohnflatrock.org
Author Thomas Wolfe’s Angel first novel was Look Homeward, Angel. In the book there are constant references to an angel statue carved from Italian marble. This is the angel Wolfe placed in American literature. Thomas Wolfe’s father, W.O. Wolfe, sold the statue to the Johnson family to mark the family plot in Oakdale Cemetery. The angel is holding a lily in her left hand and extending her right hand upward. Oakdale Cemetery is located on Hwy. 64 W., just a short distance from downtown Hendersonville. The statue is protected by a wrought iron fence, and there is a historical marker located on the highway.
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial is the childhood home of author, Thomas Wolfe. Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe's colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, and the Old Kentucky Home boarding house earned the historic Victorian home a place as one of American Literature's most famous landmarks. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial is located 25 miles north of Hendersonville. wolfememorial.com 52 N. Market St, Asheville, NC 28801 828-253-8304
Zebulon Baird Vance Birthplace The Birthplace of Zebulon Baird Vance is located in Weaverville, NC. Vance's political career as a Civil War officer, governor of North Carolina, and U.S. senator is explored at the homestead. Zeb Vance served in public office for thirty years, in the North Carolina House of Commons and the United States House of Representatives and was elected the governor three times. The furnishings and household items on display are representative of the period from 1790 to 1840 and include a few pieces original to the home. The five-room log house also includes the history of Vance's famous mountain family. For additional information call (828) 645-6706. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/vance/vance.htm
Biltmore House today is the largest privately owned home in America situated on 8,000 acres. It was built by George Vanderbilt and was completed in 1895. Vanderbilt commissioned Richard Morris Hunt to create the 250-room mansion modeled after a French chateau. Today the Estate encompasses the house, gardens, restaurants, gift shops, inn and winery. Biltmore Estate is located 22 miles north of Hendersonville. For additional information call (800) 543-2961 biltmore.com
BMW ZENTRUM Outside Greenville, SC, see the only BMW museum in North America. This free attraction showcases safety cars, hydrogen cars, art cars, racing cars, motorcycles, and more. This fall, the factory tour re-opens. Call for tour information. 864-989-5294 bmwzentrum.com
Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum Free admission, Presented by Grovewood Fine Craft Gallery, 111 Grovewood Road, Asheville, NC 828-253-7651 email automuseum@grovewood.com
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Historic Train Depot The first steam engine puffed up the Saluda Grade to the Hendersonville Depot in 1879. The steam engine needed a “help engine” attached to the rear of the train at Melrose for additional power to push the train up the Saluda Mountain Grade, the steepest main-line standard gauge railroad in the United States. The Carolina Special ran between Charleston, South Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio from 1911 until 1968. Today the exterior paint has been restored to its original color. A Southern Railway caboose is located at the south end. The depot's baggage room houses the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club and their HO scale model railroad. The layout is prototypical of Hendersonville, Asheville, Brevard and Saluda, including the Saluda Grade. The depot is open year round, Wednesday 12Noon-2:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM-2:00PM. The Depot is located on Maple Street off of 7th Avenue East. For additional information call (828) 243-0226. . avmrc.com
HOUSE OF FLAGS On display are more than 300 flags that have flown over this country since its founding. This educational and historical display includes a 20-minute video and a guide for a fee. Schools can make arrangements to bring students for a 20-minute to an hour presentation. Provided by Polk County Memorial Post 9116 of the VFW. Open Saturdays from 2pm - 4pm George Scofield, Curator 828-894-2845 houseofflags.org
Mineral and Lapidary Museum The museum is open Monday-Friday 1:00PM-5:00PM and Saturday 10:00AM-5:00PM. Admission is free. The museum is located at 400 North Main Street, Hendersonville, on the lower level of the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society building. For additional information call (828) 698-1977. mineralmuseum.org COTTAGES OF DARK CORNER TOP PICK FOR KIDS!!
North Carolina Minerals Museum Recently renovated, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals introduces the treasures found in the Spruce Pine Mining District through interactive displays on the wide variety of minerals and gems found in the region. Located at milepost 331 on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Gillespie Gap, the Museum provides an introduction to the importance of mining in the region and the mineral and gem wealth found here. Work is continuing on new interactive displays that will take you deep inside a mountain to see how gems and minerals are formed.
Pack Place Education, Arts, and Sciences Center Includes the Colburn earth science museum, 828-254-7162 colburnmuseum.org AND The Health Adventure 828-254-6373 800-935-0204 thehealthadventure.org AND Asheville Art Museum 828-253-3227 ashevilleart.org 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, located in Pisgah National Forest, is dedicated to exploring the wonders of North Carolina's wildlife. The Center's attractions include: aquariums, hands-on exhibits, garden display, special programs, viewing and feeding of the hatchery trout. The Center is open to the public daily, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. (Outdoor exhibits close at 4:30 p.m.). For additional information call (828) 877-4423. pisgah.state.nc.us
Polk County Historical Museum Come see this fine collection of historic artifacts, located in the historic Tryon Train Depot. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 - noon or by appointment. 828-859-2287 polkcounty.org/county/business/depot/depot.htm
Wheels Through Time Museum is home to an astounding presentation of America's vintage transportation from the past. The 38,000 sq. ft. museum offers the world's largest collection of rare American motorcycles, automobiles from each of the ten decades of America's automobile history and thousands of related memorabilia and mementos. Located in Maggie Valley, NC. wheelsthroughtime.com
Western North Carolina Air Museum is the first air museum in the state of North Carolina known as the "first in flight" state. The museum features award winning restored and replica antique and vintage airplanes. The hours are (weather permitting) March-October Wednesday and Sunday from 12Noon-6:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM-6:00PM; November-February Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00Noon-5:00PM . There is no admission charge. The museum is located at the Hendersonville Airport, 1340 Gilbert Street, Hendersonville. For additional information call (828) 698-2482. wncairmuseum.com