Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center

Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center The Swannanoa Valley Museum preserves and interprets the social, cultural, and natural history of the Swannanoa Valley, a pathway to Western North Carolina.

VALLEY REWIND: Back to School! 🏈 Here we see the 1957 Owen High School Band Majorettes high-stepping into the football s...
09/10/2026

VALLEY REWIND: Back to School! 🏈 Here we see the 1957 Owen High School Band Majorettes high-stepping into the football season just two years after the school opened in 1955.

Named after prominent textile businessman Charles D. Owen, the school was created by consolidating Swannanoa High and Black Mountain High. Owen High School is known for its strong athletics, especially football.

Famous Owen graduates include author Patricia Cornwell, NBA center Brad Daugherty, NFL quarterback Brad Johnson, actor Matt Lutz, and World Series champion pitcher Sammy Stewart, aka “The Throwin Swannanoan.”

Go Warhorses!

NOTE: We do not have names for the young women pictured, nor for the photographer. If you recognize anyone pictured and don't mind sharing please reach out to the Museum.

JOIN THE FUN TOMORROW EVENING! 🕵🏽‍♂️Furtive Fashion: A Coded Bracelet Crafting EveningSept 10 | 6:00PM - 7:30PMSwannanoa...
09/09/2026

JOIN THE FUN TOMORROW EVENING! 🕵🏽‍♂️

Furtive Fashion: A Coded Bracelet Crafting Evening
Sept 10 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM
Swannanoa Valley Museum
223 West State Street, Black Mountain, NC

Put the CRAFT back in spy craft at this bracelet-making party at the Swannanoa Valley Museum. This espionage-inspired crafting session starts with a brief history of ciphers in spy craft before diving into a casual craft night. Sip wine or a mocktail while you make a beaded bracelet that hides a secret Morse code message that only you and your new friends can decipher. Tickets include wine/mocktails and crafting materials. All proceeds support the Swannanoa Valley Museum!

Sponsored by .

$25 General Admission | $20 SVM Member

Learn more at: https://history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/wnc-hands-on-workshops/

Thank you to everyone who donated during the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center’s summer appeals campaign! Thanks ...
09/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who donated during the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center’s summer appeals campaign! Thanks to you, we raised $10,195—or 131% of our $7,800 goal!

For over 35 years, SVM has been a cornerstone of our community, working tirelessly to preserve and interpret the social, cultural, and natural history of the Swannanoa Valley. From recording community stories in real time after Hurricane Helene to safeguarding local artifacts and memories, our work ensures that the rich heritage of this area is protected for future generations.

This is history in the making, and your support makes it possible. Each generous contribution placed this summer has already made a significant difference!

We appreciate your support, now and always.

ONE WEEK LEFT - GET TICKETS NOW 🐢🦃🐸Tickets are now available for this special presentation, featuring an educator from t...
09/08/2026

ONE WEEK LEFT - GET TICKETS NOW 🐢🦃🐸

Tickets are now available for this special presentation, featuring an educator from the Friends of the WNC Nature Center and TWO LIVE ANIMAL AMBASSADORS native to the Valley.

The Swannanoa Valley lies within one of the most biologically diverse temperate regions on Earth—the Southern Appalachian biodiversity hotspot. Living here means sharing our landscape with an extraordinary variety of wildlife. Learn how human activity has shaped local wildlife over time and discover how conservation continues to influence the future of the Southern Appalachians.

Get your tickets at: https://history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/wncpast/

Looking for a meaningful gift that lasts all year? An SVM membership is the perfect way to share a love of local history...
09/07/2026

Looking for a meaningful gift that lasts all year? An SVM membership is the perfect way to share a love of local history. Memberships support the Swannanoa Valley Museum while giving recipients free or discounted admission, special program pricing, and invitations to members-only events.

Give a gift that tells our Valley’s story—past, present, and future.

👉 Visit our website to learn more!
https://www.history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/member/

ONE WEEK LEFT - GET TICKETS NOW 🦊Echoes of the Valley Hike #7 - KITSUMA TRAILJoin SVM on our next Echoes of the Valley ...
09/05/2026

ONE WEEK LEFT - GET TICKETS NOW 🦊
Echoes of the Valley Hike #7 - KITSUMA TRAIL

Join SVM on our next Echoes of the Valley historical hike. This hike will follow the Kitsuma Trail to a viewpoint boasting sweeping vistas of the Swannanoa Valley, including a breathtaking view of Mt. Mitchell, which is visible on clear days.

$35 SVM Members | $40 General Admission

Get tickets here:
https://history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/valley-history-explorer-hiking-series/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUGozhwZG9mA2V4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzUxNDc3MTU2OTIyODA2MQABHhmIU0XUBsQdkGeDP7miuDieHaFQ8w-uufw35D-mTOujU6y8qmJopHeK7RAw_aem_xSv4Fnd8xq15zfnPUSDAcA

GET YOUR TICKETS! 🔍Furtive Fashion: A Coded Bracelet Crafting Session | Sept 10 @ 6:00PMPut the craft back in spy craft ...
09/04/2026

GET YOUR TICKETS! 🔍
Furtive Fashion: A Coded Bracelet Crafting Session | Sept 10 @ 6:00
PM

Put the craft back in spy craft at this bracelet-making
party at the Swannanoa Valley Museum. This
espionage-inspired crafting session starts with a brief
history of ciphers in spy craft before diving into a
casual craft night. Sip wine or a mocktail as you make
a beaded bracelet that hides a secret Morse code
message that only you and your new friends can
decipher. Tickets include wine/mocktails and crafting
materials. All proceeds support the Swannanoa Valley
Museum! Sponsored by .

$20 SVM Members | $25 General Admission | Learn
more at: https://history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/wnc-hands-on-workshops

VALLEY REWIND: This historic photograph, believed to have been taken by W.B. Gragg, shows a picnic at the W.N.C. Sanator...
09/03/2026

VALLEY REWIND: This historic photograph, believed to have been taken by W.B. Gragg, shows a picnic at the W.N.C. Sanatorium on Labor Day, September 4, 1939. The Sanatorium opened in Black Mountain in 1937 to treat tuberculosis patients. The crisp air and mountain views were thought to help those suffering from respiratory illnesses.

Labor Day picnics began as part of the first organized labor protest in New York City on September 5, 1882. Following years of localized labor celebrations, President Grover Cleveland made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894.

As tuberculosis treatments advanced and cases declined, the role of the W.N.C. Sanatorium changed. Today, the historic property houses the Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center.

SIGN UP TODAY FOR THIS EXCLUSIVE GUIDED TOUR! 🦅Cataloochee Valley History TourExplore historic structures like the Palme...
09/02/2026

SIGN UP TODAY FOR THIS EXCLUSIVE GUIDED TOUR! 🦅
Cataloochee Valley History Tour
Explore historic structures like the Palmer Chapel & Cemetery that remain as a testament to the past. Hear stories of the past from local historian John Buckner. Keep an eye out for local wildlife! (Elk Season) 🦌

Thursday, October 15 | 9:00AM–6:00PM
Cataloochee Valley History Tour
Led by John Buckner
Tour starts at Swannanoa Valley Museum (223 W State St., Black Mountain, NC 28711)

$50 for SVM Members | $60 for General Admission | Some fees may apply.
Learn more - Get tickets:
https://history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org/cataloochee-valley-tour/

On Saturday, 17 hikers and leaders hit the trails in GSMNP for an 8.3-mile hike with 1,800 feet of climbing to Charlies ...
09/01/2026

On Saturday, 17 hikers and leaders hit the trails in GSMNP for an 8.3-mile hike with 1,800 feet of climbing to Charlies Bunion. I quickly texted my good buddy Elvis the Elk and asked him to greet us near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Elvis was right on time with a few of his girlfriends, some turkeys, and had Buster the Bear standing by in the river up the road.

It turned out to be a beautiful day for a hike with cool temps and intermittent sunshine. We had a great lunch with incredible views in a small area with our group of 17 hikers, a large bachelorette party, some plein air painters, and others. We arrived back at our cars with no rain in sight and a group that was happy to see those bathrooms!

Our day ended at Frog Level Brewing. We celebrated the hike and the fact that the massive rain storm that we drove through on the way back held off until we finished our trek. Great food, great beverages, and great friends!

Address

223 W State St
Black Mountain, NC
28711

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18286699566

Website

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