Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center

Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center The Swannanoa Valley Museum preserves and interprets the social, cultural, and natural history of the Swannanoa Valley, a pathway to Western North Carolina.

🥃 Happy National Moonshine Day! 🥃Today we're raising a mason jar to one of Western North Carolina's most colorful tradit...
06/04/2026

🥃 Happy National Moonshine Day! 🥃

Today we're raising a mason jar to one of Western North Carolina's most colorful traditions. This photograph shows a moonshine still near Catawba Falls, a reminder of the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and determination that helped shape life in the Southern Appalachians.

For generations, mountain families supplemented their income by producing moonshine in hidden hollows and remote coves throughout the region. While often operating outside the law, moonshining became an important part of the cultural and economic history of Western North Carolina.

Whether you're interested in local history, Appalachian traditions, or the stories behind the legends, National Moonshine Day is the perfect time to remember this unique chapter of mountain heritage.

🍄 Deep Woods Mushroom Farm Tour 🍄📅 June 17🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PMJoin the Swannanoa Valley Museum and Greg Carter, better kn...
06/03/2026

🍄 Deep Woods Mushroom Farm Tour 🍄

📅 June 17
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Join the Swannanoa Valley Museum and Greg Carter, better known as "The FunGuy," for a fascinating morning exploring the ancient and modern art of mushroom cultivation in Western North Carolina.

Our region has a rich tradition of living off the land, and this immersive experience offers a unique look at how local ecosystems continue to provide for us today.

🌱 Walk the farm and follow the lifecycle of Shiitake, Lion's Mane, and Reishi mushrooms—from inoculated logs to fruiting fungi.

🍄 Learn about the history of foraging in Western North Carolina and discover how Greg became one of the region's few state-certified wild-edible providers.

🎟 Tickets: $40 for members (with member code) | $45 for non-members, plus taxes and fees.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
https://history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/wnc-hands-on-workshops/

Membership Perk Alert!Not only does membership to the Swannanoa Valley Museum help preserve local history for future gen...
06/01/2026

Membership Perk Alert!
Not only does membership to the Swannanoa Valley Museum help preserve local history for future generations, but members also enjoy reciprocal admission to Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) museums across the Southeast — including the Asheville Art Museum!

⭐ Learn more and become a member at https://www.history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/member/



Valley Rewind: This 1920 photograph shows a fireman’s tournament taking place on Vance Street in Black Mountain. The Bla...
06/01/2026

Valley Rewind: This 1920 photograph shows a fireman’s tournament taking place on Vance Street in Black Mountain. The Black Mountain Fire Department competed in the North Carolina Firefighters’ Association state conference alongside departments from towns across the state.

These tournaments featured exciting timed competitions including hand reel races, steam engine contests, and foot races. In later years, horse-drawn wagon and ladder truck events were added. The events were suspended during World War I before resuming in 1920, with the conference rotating between different North Carolina cities each year.

The final Fireman’s Tournament was held during the 1940 conference in Salisbury, the same year the Swannanoa Fire Department joined the competition for the first time. Another tournament was planned for the 1941 conference in Asheville, but it was suspended because of World War II and was never revived in its original form.

Thomas Chapel History Tour - June 3rd 1pm - 3pmHistory belongs to everyone, and we want to make sure our whole community...
05/23/2026

Thomas Chapel History Tour - June 3rd 1pm - 3pm
History belongs to everyone, and we want to make sure our whole community can experience it. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our very first Pay-As-You-Can event!

Join us for the Thomas Chapel Tour, part of our ongoing Echoes of the Valley Series. Join the Thomas Chapel Board of Directors for a discussion on the history and restoration of Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. Located in Black Mountain, NC, this historic African Methodist Episcopal church was built in 1922 by descendants of freed slaves.

Whether you can pay full price, need a little flexibility this month, or want to join us for free—there is a spot for you. No questions asked.

How "Pay-As-You-Can" Works:
Select your standard ticket at checkout and enter the sliding scale discount code that best fits your budget:

🔹 Members: Standard price is $25
🔹 Non-Members: Standard price is $30

👉 Choose your discount code at checkout:

50% Off: Use code WNC50 ($12.50 members / $15 non-members)

75% Off: Use code WNC75 ($6.25 members / $7.50 non-members)

100% Off: Use code WNC100 ($0)

Space is limited for this special tour, so grab your spot today! Click the link below, choose your rate, and come explore the rich history of Thomas Chapel with us.

To sign up go to www.swannanoavalleymuseum.org

✨ Swannanoa Valley Museum Presents at White Horse Black Mountain ✨The mission of Letters From Home is to honor veterans,...
05/23/2026

✨ Swannanoa Valley Museum Presents at White Horse Black Mountain ✨

The mission of Letters From Home is to honor veterans, celebrate people, and unite the nation through music. Blending the timeless charm of war-time era entertainment with a witty modern twist, this high-energy duo delivers an uplifting show filled with harmony, laughter, and tap dancing.

Don’t miss this inspiring evening of music, comedy, and classic entertainment!

Get your tickets here: https://whitehorseblackmountain.org/product/svm-event-letters-from-home/

Upcoming Events 5-24-5/30
05/22/2026

Upcoming Events 5-24-5/30

SVM Events for 5/24-2/30
05/22/2026

SVM Events for 5/24-2/30

Valley Rewind: This photo of Virginia “Jennie” Seagle Huffman was taken on the loading dock of Black Mountain Ice & Coal...
05/21/2026

Valley Rewind: This photo of Virginia “Jennie” Seagle Huffman was taken on the loading dock of Black Mountain Ice & Coal in May of 1955 in Black Mountain. Jennie and her first husband, Cyril Huffman, opened the Ice & Coal company in 1935. After Cyril’s death in 1944, Jennie continued running Black Mountain Ice & Coal until her retirement in 1959.

Jennie was also recognized for her leadership in the community. In 1954 she was named Black Mountain’s Woman of the Year, and she was a contributing founder of Christmount Christian Assembly.

Address

223 W State St
Black Mountain, NC
28711

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18286699566

Website

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