In the Spring of 2019, teams of students in Dr. Ellen Holmes Pearson’s Digital History class at UNC-Asheville worked together to create digital history projects that made slices of Western North Carolina history available online. The topics they studied included the U.S. Navy vessels that have borne the name U.S.S. Asheville, the history of Chimney Rock State Park, philanthropist Julian Price’s efforts to revitalize downtown Asheville, and the activities of the Cut the Clearcutting environmental preservation group. At this History Cafe, a few of these students will present their websites and discuss the stories behind their digital projects.

Seating is limited. Please reserve your spot below.

About History Cafe
Ever wonder how Asheville came to get its drinking water from Black Mountain? What slavery looked like in western North Carolina (Yes, there were enslaved people here.)? How wagons, stagecoaches, and trains made it up the steep grade from Old Fort into Ridgecrest? Come to the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center on the fourth Monday of the month at 10:30am for a discussion about local history. Come start off your morning getting to know our region a little better!

Cost: Free for museum members and students with ID. Nonmembers may pay $5 in advance online or a $5+ donation at the door. Coffee will be provided.

Designed for adults and modeled after the popular Science Cafes taking place across the nation, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center’s monthly History Cafe offers lectures and workshops led by local experts and researchers on regional history topics. These hour-long meet-ups engage the many stories that have shaped our southern Appalachian community as a place — from geological changes to native histories, musical innovations, pioneer experiences, and labor struggles — and will end with informal discussion bringing our shared history into context with contemporary issues.

Proudly sponsored by: