After serving seven terms as Board Chair, Wendell Begley has stepped down from the board to, like those before him, pass on leadership of the board to the next generation. Sam Shirey, local insurance agent, co-owner of Creative Mountain Food Tours, and Museum board member, began serving as the Museum’s board chair on September 1.

Begely will continue to be involved with the Museum, particularly in the signature hiking program that he helped create.

To celebrate Begley’s great contributions to the Museum over the last two decades, the Museum’s staff and volunteers are inviting the community to a celebration on Friday, November 8 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. 

The event will begin at the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center at 223 West State Street with a meet-and-greet with Begley. Light refreshments will be served. At 6:00pm, there will be a short program honoring Begley in the theatre at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts next door. Come early to get a seat as there is limited seating available in the theatre.

Community members are invited to write a note to Begley in a provided guest book or bring cards, photographs, or other memorabilia to be compiled and given to Begley as a thank you.

In conjunction with the Friday evening event, the Black Mountain Center for the Arts will host a show of Begley’s Swannanoa Valley photographs in their gallery space with an opening on the evening of the event and running throughout November with proceeds from the show benefiting the Arts Center and the Museum.