A Haunting Walk Back Through Time

Some of the oldest cemeteries in Buncombe County are in the Swannanoa Valley.  In them lie the bodies of the earliest pioneers to cross the Blue Ridge after the Revolutionary War.

On Sunday, February 7, at 2 pm, the Swannanoa Valley Museum will sponsor a walk through two of these hallowed grounds, with local historians and descendants of the people who settled the Valley sharing their stories.

The Tabernacle cemetery was established in 1837 or before. The Tabernacle community was a self sufficient community prior to the coming of the railroad in 1880, with a church, school, justice of the peace, grist mill etc.  The church was known as "The Meeting House".  The cemetery was the main burying place for the entire Black Mountain community until the mid 1920's.  Interesting stories of these early pioneers will be shared.

The Ingram cemetery was set aside as a family burial spot by Bobby Ingram about 1820.  Bobby landed at Charleston, S.C. in 1785, arriving from County Down Northern Ireland.  He first went to Virginia, then came to the Swannanoa Valley and acquired 1122 acres along the North Fork of the Swannanoa River in 1799.  The cemetery has marked and unmarked graves of both family and others along the North Fork River.

Cost for this Sunday afternoon walk is $10 for Museum members; $20 for non-members.  Please call the Museum, 828-669-9566, or send an email to Swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net to make reservations.  (Note:  This program will be over in plenty of time for the Super Bowl!)

A World of Climate Information at Our Very Fingertips

Asheville's National Climatic Data Center is the world's largest archive of climate data, and on Wed. Feb. 17, the Swannanoa Valley Museum has scheduled a tour of this remarkable facility as our February "Daycation."

Located in the Federal Building in downtown Asheville, this repository of climate data has a statutory mission to describe the climate of the United States and acts as the nation's scorekeeper regarding the trends and anomalies of weather and climate.

If you'd like to join the tour, please call the Museum and make a reservation.  We must know if you plan to go no later than Feb. 10, so the NCDC can provide an adequate number of guides.  Also, each person must show a photo ID upon entering the building. 

Cost is $10 for Museum members; $20 for non-members.  We are planning to have lunch together afterward at a nearby restaurant.  Participants are responsible for the cost of their meals.  Reservations:  828-669-9566, or send an email to swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net.

Lower Catawba Falls Hike Planned

On Saturday, March 6, the Swannanoa Valley Museum will sponsor one of its regular monthly hikes to the Lower Catawba Falls in McDowell County.  The hike is moderate, about 2.5 miles round trip, and there is a river crossing, so hikers are advised to wear wool socks and bring a dry pair for after the hike.  The hike will convene in the parking lot of Black Mountain Savings Bank at 9 a.m.  Bring lunch, water, and dress for winter weather. 

Cost for this hike is $10 for Museum members; $20 for non-members.  Please call the Museum, 828-669-9566, or send an email to swannanoavalleym@bellsouth.net to make reservations.  For a complete list of all hikes planned for 2010, visit our website.

Photo courtesy of Catawba Falls Campground.

Reserve Your Space Today for the Arches National Park Camping Adventure!

Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah, has been described as a "sculptured wonderland," and this spring, the Swannanoa Valley Museum is sponsoring a camping trip with guided hikes there.

From March 28 to April 1, veteran camping guides Larry Odoski and Mike Murphy will host participants and lead hikers along trails both in the park and nearby sites.

The cost is $675 per camper.  Each person must provide his/her own tent and sleeping gear and transportation to the park.  All other costs are covered in this fee.

The trip can accommodate only 16 campers plus the guides.  Reservations are first-come, first served and must be made no later than March 5.  A get-acquainted gathering is planned at the Museum before the event.  Read complete details on our website. 

Questions?  Call Larry Odoski, 828-669-1526.

Update on Swannanoa Rim Explorer™ Hiking Series

The Museum's new Swannanoa Rim Explorer™ hiking series has proven very popular, with the first four hikes presently at or near capacity. 

We are still taking reservations for those that are not full, and have a waiting list for the rest. The series will be repeated in 2011 for those who start at a later date.

Winter weather has caused the January hike from Jesse's High Top to Lakey Gap to be cancelled.  A make up hike will take place in the next few months, hopefully before the leaves are back on the trees, because the views of the Swannanoa Rim from here are spectacular.  The February hike from Wendell Begley's house to Lakey Gap will take place as scheduled on Feb. 20.

If you are interested in participating in this unique hiking experience and would like more information, it is available on our website, or call the Museum, 828-669-9566.