Join us for a presentation by Montreat College history professor, Lisa Toland, on the philanthropic work of Black Mountain’s Franklin S. Terry. Between 1920 and 1924, Franklin S. Terry built a 24,000 square foot manor house, known as InTheOaks, in Black Mountain. Prior to his arrival in western North Carolina, the General Electric Vice President established a subscription service, the NELA Fund, to support French orphans whose fathers had been killed in the trenches of the Somme and Passchendaele. Montreat College, which now owns Terry’s former estate, has also been entrusted with hundreds of bound letters, photographs, and postcards sent by French widows and their children between 1917 and 1918, all of whom received support from the NELA fund. About 625 children were “adopted” by December 14, 1922, with Terry personally adopting 57. 

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.

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