June 26th

Join Swannanoa Valley resident and local historian Mary Standaert for an engaging illustrated lecture exploring the history of the Swannanoa Valley through the lens of postcards. Drawing from her personal collection a, Standaert will highlight how postcards have captured the changing landscape, daily life, and cultural memory of the Valley for over a century.

In addition to the local focus, she will also trace the broader history of the postcard—from its origins as a utilitarian communication tool to its role in tourism, propaganda, and personal storytelling.

Mary Standaert is the author of the book Buncombe County Name Game and a passionate advocate for preserving local history through everyday ephemera.

Come discover how a simple postcard can carry the spirit of a place across time.

Join The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center Haunted History walking tours in downtown Black Mountain’s historic district. Traveling some of Black Mountain’s most storied streets, visitors will learn about the humorous, haunting and harrowing history of the Swannanoa Valley while being visited by some of its most famous spirits. This event, which is a fundraiser for the museum, will highlight local tragedies and triumphs- and the many ghosts, friendly and frustrated, born from these events.

July 12th

Valley History Explorer Hike #5: Ridgecrest (Point Lookout)
The moderate, 3-mile Ridgecrest hike will take hikers on the Point Lookout Trail to a viewpoint overlooking the valley. Point Lookout was a popular stopping point and overlook on old U.S. 70. It was founded in the 1920s and in its heyday featured an observation platform and a restaurant. Point Lookout also overlooks Royal Gorge through which Native Americans and early settlers traveled across the mountains.

Difficulty:Moderate, 3 miles

July 19th

This hike will start near Clingman’s Peak and then will follow the Old Mitchell Trail to Potato Knob and Patton’s Table. We will then follow the MTS Trail to top of Bearwallow Stand Ridge and descend to Balsam Gap at the Parkway. These mountains, the Blacks, are the highest mountains in the Eastern United States and take their name from the darkly colored Fraser fir and red spruce trees that adorn their slopes.

**Note: The route of this hike as shown is dependent on the reopening of the BRP up to Mount Mitchell State Park prior to the date of the hike. If the BRP remains closed as of the date of the hike, an alternate hike will be substituted. Registered hikes will be notified if the route has been changed as soon as possible prior to the hike.**

Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult, 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,024 feet