Industrial warehouses are filled with unmatched creativity with numerous studios and galleries. I love seeing the variety of art. Hurricane Helene wrecked this area but it is once again a thriving area along the French Broad River.
175,000 square feet and 250 rooms define the former residence of the Vanderbilt’s estate. The construction began in 1890 and required so many laborers. Art and antiques from Gilded Age fill this museum. The grounds are spectacular and house several buildings across the expansive property including an exhibit hall, winery, hotel and more.
The gardens are equally spectacular and the conservatory was packed with beautiful plants and flowers.
15 minutes from Asheville is the cute town of Black Mountain. The air just felt fresher here! The downtown area is a few streets but galleries, craft stores, jewelry stores and cafes were plentiful. I had a tasty cafe con leche and guava pastelito, too!
Asheville is an easy three hour drive from Atlanta driving through north Georgia, a sliver of South Carolina and climbing to an elevation of about 2,100 feet to land in this quaint area.
We dropped our belongings at the hotel and found a cute lunch place for a small bite to eat. We then walked around and explored the downtown area including the Asheville Urban Trail and the Basilica of St. Lawrence. The Basilica is not open for tours but from pictures it looks stunning. We meandered and visited the many shops, galleries and cafes. The downtown area is larger than I expected but easy to navigate and very walkable.
I visited the Center for Craft today in Asheville, NC. It supports the crafts through grants, exhibits, materials library and an exploration area.
Today I visited an amazing national park focused on MLK Jr.’s life and teachings. The park consists of his birth home (where he lived until he was 12 years old). It was located on the east side of Boulevard, which was the dividing marker of a white vs. Black neighborhood. Auburn Avenue was a desirable area for Black citizens. In 1906 a race riot occurred and then Blacks were able to buy homes in the area, which MLK Jr.’s grandfather purchased. The home is currently closed for repairs, as was the visitor center. The visitor center is temporarily in the historic Fire Station No. 6. Blacks were not allowed in the fire house until the 60’s!
I also visited The King Center, which had a small exhibit inside and, outside, a reflection pool and the tombs of Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King Jr. I attended a tour with a park ranger of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. The church is 140 years old this April and has had only five senior pastors in that entire time. The ranger’s presentation was interesting and informative and I learned a lot. Did you know that MLK Jr’s name was Michael until he was five years old, when it was changed to Martin?
The tour started in the fellowship hall (basement) and then moved to the sanctuary where the church is still in its original state. Even the pews are original, as is the piano that Mama King would play until she was shot and killed in 1974. This NP is a must-see and is even free, believe it or not.
I arrived in Atlanta almost a month ago. I’ve spent all my time helping a friend but today I visited the High Museum. It was the last day of the Viktor & Rolf exhibit and it was stunning. I did not realize fashion could be so creative and even a little crazy!
seniyegroff 