The Special Collections began as the Local History Project and started acquiring records and manuscripts related to the local histories of Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties in 2023. Not only is the Special Collections meant to help preserve the past, it is also dedicated to saving the histories and stories currently happening in these counties. The Archive also actively partners with other local history organizations and community non-profits for a variety of events and projects. Many of the collections within Special Collections are the result of these community partnerships. Our manuscript collections cover a wide range of topics related to local history, such as education, tourism, WWII, local authors, local businesses, race and ethnicity, and other regional topics.
Fun Fact: The oldest collection of the Special Collections, in terms of when it was donated, is the Louise Howe Bailey Collection. It was donated to Blue Ridge Community College Library years before there was an established archive.
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Hidden Histories Tour Collection [SC2024.01]: Planning and logistical documents, flyers, handouts, photographs, and video related to the first Hidden Histories tour of Henderson County in November 2023.
Hotel Skyland Collection [SC2023.01]: A small collection featuring a shopping directory from 1943 used by hotel guests staying at Hotel Skyland in Hendersonville, NC.
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Louise Howe Bailey Collection [SC2023.05]: Materials related to the efforts of Louise Howe Bailey, one of Henderson County’s best known local historians, to preserve the stories and people of Henderson County. The collection includes the majority of her articles from her Times News column, Along the Ridges, which she wrote for over 40 years along with several of her published works and awards.
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McGuffey’s Fifth Reader Collection [SC2023.03]: A small collection featuring a McGuffey fifth grade reading primer from 1892. It belonged to a girl named Bertha Michaels.
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VISION Transylvania History Day Collection [SC2023.04]: A collection consisting of the day’s itinerary, video recordings, and photographs from the 2023 VISION Transylvania History Day where community members learn about the different communities who have lived in Transylvania County.
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Wheeler Hotel Collection [SC2023.02]: A hotel ledger with handwritten entries for each guest, a room key, and paper documents from the hotel, such as a handwritten letter using the hotel’s stationary, a dance invitation, and an advertising booklet.
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