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Description
Among the vast number of fascinating and legendary stories about Asheville and Western North Carolina are four stories that will be the subjects of salon-style conversations at the Asheville Museum of History this Spring and Summer. Seating is limited, so sign up today to secure a seat at this special series.
You may be familiar with some of the stories, but to hear these memories firsthand and to have the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers will offer a rare opportunity to reflect on Asheville’s unique past. Did you know that during the 1960s a young couple named Audie and Bob Bayer started a paper clothing business that at its peak made and sold as many as 80,000 dresses a week and had them shipped by another local company all over the world? Mack Day, their longtime neighbor and friend, will engage Bob and Audie in conversation.
Or, that a Burnsville lawyer assembled the largest known collection of material related to author Thomas Wolfe? Early in his life, Todd Bailey developed a keen interest in anything related to Thomas Wolfe. His collection includes first editions, manuscripts, correspondence, and ephemera and is housed at the Ramsey Library at UNC Asheville for preservation and research access. Todd will be engaged in conversation by his friend, Jami Daniels.
When the deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center occurred on September 11, 2001, The Rev. Dr. Dan Matthews was an eyewitness to the horror from his office at Trinity Church on Wall Street. Immediately following the attacks, he transformed St. Paul’s Chapel into a place of respite and refuge for rescue and recovery workers, where an army of volunteers provided for their physical and spiritual needs 24 hours a day. Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the Order of the British Empire on Dan for his work in lower Manhattan following the 9/11 attacks. Growing up in Canton, Dan developed a love of the mountains and is a Director and former Chair of the Board of Friends of the Smokies.
In 1993, Becky Anderson, a leader in industrial and economic development in Asheville and Western North Carolina, developed her idea of a craft-based economy to bring about civic change and create economic opportunity in rural communities. Becky founded HandMade in America, a craft-focused non-profit organization which had a significant impact on many small communities and individuals and gained national and worldwide acclaim. Jack Cecil, former Chair of HandMade in America and a longtime friend of Becky, will talk with her.
We hope you will join us for all four Conversations by pre-buying a series subscription. Each Conversation will be in the intimate galleries of the Asheville Museum of History in the historic Smith-McDowell House. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of each Conversation. Dates for the Conversations are:
Audie and Bob Bayer, 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 29
Todd Bailey, 7 p.m., Thursday, May 22
Dan Matthews, 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 10
Becky Anderson, 7 p.m., Thursday, June 26
Subscriptions for the four-part series are $100, a savings of $20 over the individual ticket price of $30. Tickets are limited, so we encourage you to reserve now. For any questions, please contact Steven Nickollof, Programs Manager, at education@ashevillehistory.org or call 828-253-9231.
We look forward to seeing you at the Asheville Museum of History this spring and summer for these historic Conversations.
When the deal 29
Subscriptions for the
Date & Time
Apr 29 - Jun 26, 2025
Venue Details
Asheville Museum of History
283 Victoria RoadAsheville, North Carolina 28801
