Buncombe County Special Collections

06/01/2026

Thanks to our partner Buncombe County Special Collections, issues of the Mountain Xpress newspaper covering December 11, 1996-November 12, 1997 are now on DigitalNC, bringing the total coverage of the paper online from 1994-1997. …

05/29/2026

We are creating a time capsule to celebrate America's 250th anniversary!!

Stop by any library branch to fill out a letter to future Buncombe County or maybe make some fun predictions of what life might be like in the future.

The letters will be held in Special Collections and will be opened 50 years from now in 2076.

America250 - Buncombe County, NC

What would you want future generations to know about life in 2026? ✉️⏳

As part of the America 250 commemoration, Buncombe County Public Libraries is creating a community time capsule—and we want to hear from you!

From June 1–August 31, patrons of all ages are invited to write a letter reflecting on life today, sharing hopes for the future, or making predictions for generations to come. Letter templates for kids, guided prompts, and open-ended responses will be available at library locations.

Letters will be preserved in Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library as part of this unique community project.

Participation is optional and open to all ages 💛

Plus, join us on Tuesday, June 30 at Pack Memorial Library for a day of America 250 programs including:
🌳 A presentation from Asheville GreenWorks about Liberty Trees
🏞️ A family-friendly “America the Beautiful” program focused on National Parks
🎭 A screening of Hamilton at 3:30 PM in the auditorium

📍 Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood St
Asheville, NC 28801
📞 828-250-4720

Write a letter to the future—and become part of local history.

05/26/2026

Did you know that you can stay up-to-date on local history events at the library by signing up for our blog? Every few months we post a roundup of upcoming events. Subscribe by entering your email to get these posts directly in your inbox:

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05/20/2026

June is rapidly approaching and we hope you will join us for some exciting programs.

The Land of the Sky 101 learning circle will take place on June 2, where we will be discussing the 2026 One Book, One Buncombe selection "Happy Land" along with "Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community." Registration is still open at https://buncombe.librarycalendar.com/event/land-sky-101-book-club-16634.

On June 8 authors Ren and Helen Davis will be discussing their latest book "Land of Everlasting Hills: George Masa, Jim Thompson, and the Photographs That Helped Save the Great Smoky Mountains and Blaze the Appalachian Trail." Don't miss out on a chance to learn more about these trailblazing photographers. No registration is required.

Pack Memorial Library Buncombe County Government Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe

05/19/2026

We had such a great time at the Leicester History Project kick-off party!! Learn more about the project and how to get involved here: https://leicesternc.omeka.net/

05/15/2026

Today marks the series finale of the hit TV series Outlander, based on the beloved books by Diana Gabaldon. If you’re a fan, dinna fash—there is still so much to uncover about the eras portrayed in the series, and you don’t have to be a Sassenach to appreciate this history!

For those unfamiliar with the story, this historical fiction follows Claire Randall, a WWII combat nurse who accidentally travels through time from 1945 to 1743 Scotland. Thrust into the dangers of the Jacobite risings, Claire is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous Highlander who becomes the love of her life. Their epic romance spans centuries and oceans, eventually leading them to the mountains of Western North Carolina at Fraser’s Ridge. The series concludes amidst the American Revolution, with Jamie and Claire fighting alongside the American Patriots.

To commemorate the end of this journey, we are highlighting some of our own archival material regarding the Jacobites:

This document is a c.1700s hand-made copy of the 1714 Address of the Clans to King George I upon his ascension to the throne. Due to court intrigue, the address was never delivered. Offended by the King’s perceived neglect, the Clans rallied for the Jacobite rising of 1715—an attempt by the exiled James Edward Stuart to regain the British throne.

If you look closely at the signatures, you’ll notice many Frasers and MacKenzies, including at least one James Fraser! While this specific individual predates our fictional Jamie, it’s a stunning connection to the real history that inspired the saga.

05/11/2026

Wow! What a spectacular turn out for our Leicester History Project kick-off party on Saturday! Thanks to the more than 70 folks who came out to learn more about the project and socialize with neighbors!

Learn more about the project and contribute your own memories at the project website, leicesternc.omeka.net!

05/08/2026

Thanks, Mountain Xpress, for featuring the Leicester History Project this week!

Read the article here: https://mountainx.com/news/history/leicester-history-project-seeks-to-document-rural-life-through-community-archives/

Want to learn more? Join us TOMORROW (5/9) at the Leicester Public Library for our Leicester History Project Kick-Off Party!

05/06/2026

Heads up! All BCPL locations will be closed tomorrow, May 7, for staff development. We'll reopen with normal hours on Friday, May 8. Thanks for your patience!

05/05/2026

Check out all the local history events coming up in May and June!

We're collecting Leicester history in partnership with Leicester Public Library; reflecting on community legacies as part of One Book; One Buncombe; and diving into the photography that helped establish the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

May 1 is Archives Day! Learn how to protect your personal documents and join our community events to preserve local history.