The Western Regional Archives is located in a former Veteran’s Administration Hospital Nurses dormitory and part of the Charles George VA National Historic District. This location made Regional Archives staff curious about the connections just outside their own door, so they started collecting and putting together as much information as possible on the hospital and on Oteen.  In trying to rebuild a framework for understanding the property and the people, they’ve uncovered some remarkable and surprising stories. In this presentation lead archivist Heather South will be showcasing the evolution of the VA hospital, from expansion to rehabilitation, the lives of patients, nurses, and how regional archives staff are still working and always looking to uncover more of the history.   

Heather South is the lead archivist for the Western Regional Archives, a branch of the State Archives of North Carolina, located in Asheville,  She earned a B.A. and M.A. in history from Winthrop University and is a member of the Academy of Certified Archivists and a National Heritage Responder. 

This event will take place as a Zoom webinar in order to make this event accessible to all. Registrants will receive a Zoom link before the event begins. 

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 one monday a month at 10:30am for a discussion about local history. Come start off your morning getting to know our region a little better!

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.