Hikes, Lectures, Tours
Events
December 5th & December 6th
Join Us For Holly Jolly! Come by the museum to make a reindeer candy cane craft and write a postcard to Santa. Activity free to the public on December 5 from 5pm – 8pm and December 6 from 10am – 5pm.
Thursday, December 11th: Appalachian Christmas Past & Present
Have you ever heard of “Old Christmas”? Want to know why we use mistletoe as a holiday decoration or place a candle in the window? Join the Swannanoa Valley Museum this December to uncover the myths, meanings, and practices behind a traditional Appalachian Christmas.
Overmountain Victory Trail Hike to Little Hump and Hump Mountain Balds
December 12
Join us for this hike to the Little Hump and Hump Mountain Balds via the historic Overmountain Victory Trail and the Appalachian Trail. This 8.6-mile moderate/Strenuous out-and-back hike with 2,306 feet of elevation gain will take us to the spectacular views of Little Hump and Hump Mountain. Led by Luke Largess and Elizabeth Leland this hike offers views of the Tennessee and North Carolina Mountains including Grandfather Mountain to the East and Roan Mountain to the west. The summit of Little Hump is at 5,453 feet and the summit of Hump Mountain is at 5,587 feet with views comparable to the Sound of Music! In 1780, more than 2,000 Patriot militiamen hunted British Major General Patrick Ferguson’s army for two weeks, trekking through Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, crossing the Appalachian Mountains along the way.
Crafts, Cocoa, & Christmas Cheer
Friday, December 19 • 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Location: Swannanoa Valley Museum (223 W State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711)
Admission: $5 per person
Children must be accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Join us at the Swannanoa Valley Museum for an evening filled with festive family fun! During Crafts, Cocoa, & Christmas Cheer, kids will create a traditional Christmas craft, write a postcard to Santa, enjoy sweet holiday treats, and listen to a Christmas tale read by a special guest.
Bring the whole family and celebrate the season with hands-on activities, cozy cocoa, and plenty of holiday cheer!
a history museum and archive
More About Us
About
We are the primary museum of general local history in the Swannanoa Valley. We mount at least one major temporary exhibition annually and continually enhance our permanent Swannanoa Valley history exhibit.
Hours and Admission
Open Hours
March – December
Wednesday – Friday
10am – 5pm
January – February
Saturday Only
10am – 5pm
Location
223 West State Street, Black Mountain
We are located in a former fire house, designed and built in 1921 by Richard Sharp Smith, supervising architect at the Biltmore Estate.
Contact Us
223 West State Street (physical)
PO Box 306 (mailing)
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828) 669-9566
svminfo@history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org
Explore Our Virtual Exhibit
Photo credit WendelL Begley
