Step back into the shadowed elegance of the 1930s at Whispers at the Wake, an immersive murder mystery set during the reading of the late Dr. Zebulon Greenleaf’s last will and testament. Guests will gather at Peri Social House, transformed for the evening into a place of mourning, where grief, suspicion, and long-buried secrets intertwine. As the will is unveiled, shocking revelations will cast suspicion on all present—and the truth of Dr. Greenleaf’s untimely death must be uncovered before the clock runs out.

Join The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center Haunted History walking tours in downtown Black Mountain’s historic district. Traveling some of Black Mountain’s most storied streets, visitors will learn about the humorous, haunting and harrowing history of the Swannanoa Valley while being visited by some of its most famous spirits. This event, which is a fundraiser for the museum, will highlight local tragedies and triumphs- and the many ghosts, friendly and frustrated, born from these events.

November 12

Locally known as the “Spanish Castle” architect, Rafeal Guastavino Sr. and his wife, Francesca, called the whitewashed building home after Guastavino finished his work on the Biltmore Estate. Rhododendron held more than just the couple’s Black Mountain home. Guastavino headquartered his architecture business and had a kiln on the property. Francesca ran a farm, vineyard, and orchard on the land. After years of neglect the home was torn down in the late 1940s and the land was sold Christmount Retreat Center was built.

November 15th

Join the museum for the final hike of the Swannanoa Rim Hike Series to the Garden of Eden. This rocky mountaintop is located one mile northwest of Lake Eden on the Swannanoa Rim. In the summer months its rocky top was famous for its sunning serpents (rattlesnakes and copperheads) and it why this segment of the rim is hiked in the winter. This loop hike begins at Camp Rockmont.