The Friends of the Library books store is an amazing second hand book store for a town that does…read morenot have a book store. If you are a quilter, there are hundreds of quilt books and other crafting books. The staff are very helpful. They are very organized...You can find what you're looking for easily. They have large print section too and jig saw puzzles, childrens' books, cookbooks, videos and DVDS. Don't show up if you have a time crunch, you'll want to poke around.

Truly a wonderful Library. Wow! It's big, well organized, Quiet areas to study & helpful staff…read more Thank you. I use the library all the time to simply catch up on my Email, make copies of items and to just relax and get caught up with life. The staff is very helpful and considerate. So thank you!

Our library is an enormous element helping to make up the culture of our little town. The…read morelibrarians are helpful, kind, generous, intelligent and efficient. Also funny. I visit the Black Mountain Library every day. These librarians showed me how to take advantage of the various programs offered. These are some of the finest citizens in our town. Much respect and affection for the guardians of knowledge and culture who serve us all with skill and a smile.

Happened to be in town for the biannual library sale so of course I had to stop by! The staff…read moremembers working were all so sweet, kind, and helpful, and the books at the sale were in great condition. Even after spending just half an hour here I felt at home and welcome. I love this library!

I'm sorry, I'm from New York State, and North Carolina, your library system SUCKS. Southern culture…read moreis more than "To Kill a Mockingbird." Anybody ever heard of a man called William Faulkner? Carson McCullers? Ring a bell? Walker Percy, one of the best American novelists EVER imho? This is an urban library- an urban library in a hip relevant very cool unique city, but when it comes to their library we're talking Harlequin romances in giant print. If you're really community-oriented and intellectual- as this city posits itself, the library should be so much more. It should be a cultural hub. Anyway, I find this library has a relative paucity of material. It needs to expand its section of classics. And for a city that calls itself progressive, how about some progressive literature? Thomas Pinketty, make the New York Times available. How about books on climate change, homesteading, crafting, DIY, farming, animal care, bicycling, Christianity, environmental concerns, Appalachian music, Appalachian culture, animals and plants of the region, history of the region, tourism, the Vanderbilts, the Biltmore Estate, the French Broad River, the Scots-Irish, the American South, the fight for civil rights equality, auto repair, mountain ecology, the Baptist religion, Hee Haw, the Scottish ballad tradition, snake handling, forestry, the Cherokee, Dolly Parton, Mount Mitchell, folk legends, Andrew Jackson, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, the Appalachian Trail, fiddling, clogging, kilts, rodeos, classic cars, logging, But, no. Harlequin romances in giant print, some third-rate hand-me-down same ol' same ol' pablum/fodder. It's like stale standards of the cathedral of general political correctness. Anyway, this is one of the few aspects of Western Carolina that makes me miss my NY roots.

Love our local library system. Stop cutting their budget!!! Pay some taxes folks!!! Jeez this is…read moreAmerica!!! Thomas Jefferson espoused virtues of books and education for the masses. When libraries are laying off because of budget cuts, we miss opportunities for real early child development and a chance at community. Stop being skinflits!!!! Love the library!!!!!

This is the West Asheville location. I've never been to a library so loud. Patrons were allowed to…read morejust carry on and talk as loudly and freely as they wanted. Its a small space and I was trying to study for an exam and it was near impossible. Good place to be social I suppose, but not to, you know, read. Also I can't get my wifi to work here either.

Just popped in because we had to print something when we came to town for a concert. Nice facility…read moreand staff!

Extremely well researched and compelling exhibits. The volunteers were very knowledgeable and…read morehelpful. I learned a lot about the human losses in constructing and running the railroad. A great balance of types of exhibits- a must for train enthusiast and history buffs.

This a beautifully renovated train depot, unfortunately on this day the museum was closed I didn't…read morelook into the daily operating hours being this was an unscheduled stop. I did walk around the building and peeked through the windows and missing the opportunity to tour this was a little disappointing but it was a cool place and fortunately the young lady staffing the visitor center had a wealth of knowledge and if you get a chance to visit this train depot during normal business hours a quick stop at the visitor center will likely enhance your experience and it only a short walk between the two. It's nice to see the community has invested in preserving this important piece of history and it's definitely a tribute to the community of volunteers that donate their time and knowledge to share such an important cause...

We spotted this marker along Biltmore Avenue opposite Mission Hospital. There isn't good parking…read morehere but I was able to find a place for a quick visit and to read this marker. It is marker number P-18 and it was erected in 1992 by the 1992 by North Carolina Division of Archives and History. It reads, "Established before 1793 as Union Hill Academy. Named for George Newton. Later site of a public school. Building stood 200 feet east." Online, there is more information. Union Hill Academy began before 1793 on William Forster's land with Robeert Henry as its first teacher and the Reverend George Newton later giving the school its lasting name. The Forster family donated land and buildings through the early 1800s, allowing the academy to grow and adopt a classical curriculum grounded in Presbyterian ideals. By 18909, the original log structure had been replaced with brick, and over the decades, new buildings and new leaders shaped the campus, including a larger two-story brick school built in 1858. The academy declined around 1900, and in 1921 the trustees leased the property to the City of Asheville, which built a public school on the historic site. [Review 537 of 2026 - 4632 in North Carolina - 25719 overall]

Absolutely gorgeous and moderate hike on Memminger trail loop to Big Glassy Mountain. Nice cool…read moreweather so peaceful so lovely!!! We enjoyed it very much!! Very scenic trail!

Tour guide Steve Weisburg gave us an amazing tour of Sandburg historic home ! The driver of the…read morehandicap van was so helpful and kind to all of us! ! Rangers were very informative!

This marker stands in front of the main Asheville Fire Department in downtown. It reads, "Young…read moreMen's Institute. Est. 1892 as center of social, moral, religious influence for blacks working at Biltmore. Businesses thrived in building 100 yards S." Online, there is more information. "During construction of his lavish home in Asheville, George Vanderbilt (1862-1914) established a community center for his African American workers and for residents of the town. The building, constructed between 1892 and 1893, was designed by Richard Sharp Smith, supervising architect of the Biltmore House. The center, known as the Young Men's Institute (YMI), held an organizational meeting in February 1893." "The YMI offered the black community speakers, a gym, bathing facilities, and classes for youths and adults. Vanderbilt in time separated himself from the YMI and in May 1906 it was incorporated with 49 of Asheville's black leaders as members. While the YMI thrived for three decades, the Depression took its toll. In the early 1940s the YMI ceased to operate and the building fell into disrepair. Renovations were completed in 1988 and today the YMI Cultural Center operates the facility, offering cultural arts, economic development opportunities, and community education. There is also an auditorium, a museum, and community meeting space." [Review 12690 overall, 2 of 2020.]