History
In December 2022, The Blue Ridge Community College libraries became the recipient of a Bright Ideas Grant from the the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for the creation of their Local History Project (IMLS grant number LS-249980-OLS-21). The focus of the project was to help preserve the histories of Henderson, Buncombe, and Transylvania counties, engage the community through our collections and programs, and empower them to preserve their own history. The primary collection focus for this project was oral histories.
As the Local History Project began to take grow and our recording studio was under construction, the library started to receive donations from different departments within Blue Ridge Community College. A wealth of documents and photographs covering the history of the community college had been saved by different faculty and staff members throughout the decades. Today, the Archive is not only dedicated to working with community members and local organizations to preserve this area’s rich history, but we have seen a growing need to preserve the history of Blue Ridge Community College itself. Community colleges have a rich and unique history. They have a profound impact on the community around them, and their institutional memory needs to be saved.
Therefore, the Local History Project transformed into Blue Ridge Community College Archive and Special Collections. Its current name reflects the growth of the Archive and its dedication to preserving the history of the College alongside the histories of our local communities. Our collections will be open to students, faculty, staff, and community members for their personal and academic research needs. The Archive will continue to partner with local history organizations to protect local history and make it accessible for future generations.
Mission
The mission of the Blue Ridge Community College Archive and Special Collections is to collect, preserve, and share records and materials, use our resources and technologies to promote community-driven archiving, and connect members of the community through scholarly and personal research.
Archive
The Archive is dedicated to serving as a repository for the institutional memory of Blue Ridge Community College from its founding in 1969 to the present day. The Archive collects, organizes, describes, preserves, and makes accessible historic records and materials related to the College and manages current records of historical value.
Special Collections
Special Collections will continue to pursue the goals established with the Local History Project by helping to preserve the local stories and histories of Henderson, Transylvania, and Buncombe Counties. Special Collections collects, organizes, describes, preserves, and makes accessible historic records and materials related to the surrounding area with a particular interest in oral histories.