Transylvania County treasures its rich history and the people that have made the county what it is today. The following are some of the organizations working to protect and highlight Transylvania County’s History:
TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY JOINT HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
The Transylvania County Joint Historic Preservation Commission leads preservation by building public awareness of historical resources, supporting the creation of local historic landmarks and administering grants to assist in partnership efforts. The Historic Downtown Walking Tour Guide is a collaborative effort that highlights historic buildings in the Main Street National Historic District located in Brevard.
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TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LIBRARY ROWELL BOSSE NORTH CAROLINA ROOM
The Rowell Bosse NC Room, in Brevard, collects print and non-print materials that represent local, regional, and state history, as well as local family genealogy. The library protects these materials through stabilizing, preserving, digitizing and transcribing to archival standards. These resources are made available in-person, online, through articles and on social media by librarians who assist with research and provide presentations and programming.
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CRADLE OF FORESTRY
The Cradle of Forestry located in Pisgah National Forest provides visitors with the opportunity to explore the past, present and future of environmental sustainability with interpretive materials, tours and events. The 6,500 acre Cradle of Forestry Heritage Site is jointly managed by the US Forest Service and the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association. The site is where Dr. Carl Schenck, founded the Biltmore Forest School, the first forestry school in America in 1898.
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TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Transylvania County Historical Society’s mission is to preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of Transylvania County through research, restoration, documentation and interpretation including docent-led tours and history talks. The Society owns the Allison-Deaver House and the McGaha Chapel, both of which are local historic landmarks designated with support from the Transylvania County Joint Historic Preservation Commission.
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TRANSYLVANIA HERITAGE MUSEUM
The Transylvania Heritage Museum, provides a venue to showcase the history of Transylvania County. Exhibits are rotated twice a year and represent different aspects of the county’s cultural heritage. In addition, the Museum offers educational programs for school groups and local organizations and operates the House Museum on the 2nd floor at Silvermont. A complete history of Transylvania County is available at the Museum’s website, transylvaniaheritage.org
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FRIENDS OF SILVERMONT
Friends of Silvermont Park are community advocates who support Silvermont Park as a vibrant community center and national historic landmark. Their mission is to support and advise the owner, Transylvania County, regarding the renovation, enhancement and upkeep of the Silvermont Mansion and grounds. Silvermont Mansion was built by the Silversteen family in 1917 and is an imposing brick, two-and-a-half-story, thirty-three room, Colonial Revival-style mansion.
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HEART OF BREVARD
The Heart of Brevard is a non-profit organization affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Program whose purpose is to maintain a vital downtown. Making downtown a fun place to visit, recruiting new businesses, rehabilitating buildings and maximizing pedestrian comfort and safety are all part of the process. Revitalization is also done through design, economic restructuring, public participation, promotion of downtown and organization.
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VETERANS HISTORY MUSEUM of the CAROLINAS
The museum displays artifacts and conducts educational programs through events and military lectures on various topics both at the museum and at schools in western North Carolina and South Carolina. The museum features include one-of-a kind artifacts, uniforms, weaponry, original newspapers, personal letters, and more. All of these special items and more weave the great and proud stories of World War I, World War II, Korea, The Cold War, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
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WAIGHTSTILL AVERY CHAPTER NSDAR
DAR members participate in an array of projects to help preserve our cultural heritage. The Waightstill Avery Chapter offers educational programs through their “First Ladies” presentations and sponsors the annual History Essay Contest, DAR Youth Citizenship Medal and Good Citizens Awards. In 2016, they relocated and rededicated the DAR Jubilee Memorial Forest. In addition, they work with and support other local agencies including the Davidson River Cemetery and Silvermont.
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HISTORIC TOXAWAY FOUNDATION
The Historic Toxaway Foundation, Incorporated in mid-2017, is a passionate group of volunteers focused on preserving the past and preparing for the future of Upper Transylvania County. Our mission includes promoting the rich history of our storied community, supporting local area businesses, and providing vision and guidance in revitalizing public access areas along the Historic Toxaway corridor.
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