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!!!!!

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!

What an adorable local library. If you have a buncombe address, you can go to any so we opted for…read morethis one last week as it was the closest. Pleased to find an open lot, easy entrance and an adorable exterior. Lots of benches, ads for local events and wildflowers. What a library should show, in my opinion. Looks like this is a true community space we need to show love for. The staff were so welcoming and kind. We got cards here and it was simple (just have a license from the area or a license and some mail). The books were plentiful and well organized. Kids section was inviting and adorable. Overall an excellent experience.

It's everything I want in an older, outdated library. Have normal expectations and you won't be…read moredisappointed. Very friendly staff, decently stock books and rotating selections. I enjoy this library very much.

Wow, what a fantastic space!…read more The Asheville Area Arts Council is located in the South Slope area near downtown Asheville. The outside of the building is painted in a gorgeous blue mural and is easy to find. The AAAC is a "collective voice for the arts" in the region. It celebrates the local art history and current working artists. They value innovation and collaboration and believe that art should be available to all! The space has galleries, studios, a media lab, and more. The art exhibit openings are great events. I recently attended their opening for "Who's afraid of Red" and was very impressed with the beautiful gallery space, large, clean and curated fabulously! The art show features all red works of art and was breath-taking to walk into. They had wine and non-alcoholic drink offerings as well as some red finger foods. I can't wait to go see this exhibit again while it's still up. This is definitely a gallery to stop by if you are a lover of the arts. While you're add it, stop at ZaPow, just right down the street as well.

Great place to come and do family or local history research. They also have lots of great books for…read moresale.

Excellent collection and very helpful staff in a rather odd location. There is a charge for…read morenon-members but if you are going to do research here, just go ahead and join and you get access to many of their digitized records! If you use PayPal you get a password for immediate access!

Located on a busy stretch of College Street near the courthouse and city hall, this marker points…read moreout the history of this post-Civil War educational institution. The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Established in 1887 to educate African Americans in western N.C. Emerged as residential preparatory school for Black women. Was 1/3 mil east until 1974." There is more information online. It began as the Industrial School on College Street, established by missionaries L. M. and Ann Pease, and was later operated by the Women's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Renamed Allen Industrial Home School in 1897, it served students from across western North Carolina and beyond, with half of its graduates attending college by the 1950s. Notable alumni include musician Nina Simone and NASA scientist Dr. Christine Darden; the school closed in 1974 due to declining enrollment. It is marker number P-101 and it was erected in 2023 by North Carolina Office of Archives and History. [Review 1296 of 2025 - 4441 in North Carolina - 24848 overall]

The county was created in 1861 and Calhoun was selected as the county seat. In 1866, the county…read moreseat was moved to Davis and in 1868 the name of the county seat was changed to Bakersville. This is the fourth structure to serve as the courthouse for Mitchell County with construction completed in 2000. It stands at the top of a hill that overlooks the city of Bakersville. It is a Modern Colonial Revival style, blending traditional civic architecture with contemporary materials and functionality. It is a two-story structure made of red brick and concrete, set on spacious landscaped grounds that offer both accessibility and visual appeal. The southeast-facing façade features a prominent portico supported by four classical columns that rise to a pediment at the roofline, evoking the symmetry and formality of early American courthouses. Above the entrance, a semi-circular balcony adds architectural interest to the second story. Crowning the building is a tall white cupola, a nod to the cupola of the original 1907 courthouse, which still stands nearby and now houses the Mitchell County Historical Society and other civic offices. This courthouse serves as the seat of the County Superior Court and District Court within North Carolina's 24th Judicial District, which includes Avery, Madison, Watauga, and Yancey counties. Its construction marked a significant investment in modernizing Mitchell County's legal infrastructure while preserving the legacy of its predecessor. The building's design balances tradition and utility, offering a dignified space for legal proceedings and public service. The parking lot is massive and I had no trouble today finding a space to stop and appreciate this majestic building. [Review 1225 of 2025 - 4410 in North Carolina - 24777 overall]

The current Burke County Justice Center is a modern judicial facility designed with contemporary…read morefunction and completed in 1975. It is a single story buff-colored brick building in the center of Morganton on grounds that have a number of veterans and war memorials. This is the third courthouse to serve the county. Burke County was created in 1777 and Morganton has been the county seat ever since. The county was named for Thomas Burke, who was a member of the Continental Congress and governor of North Carolina. Morganton was named for Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. The justice center has street parking in front and it is located a short walk from the historic 1835 courthouse. [Review 543 of 2026 - 4638 in North Carolina - 25725 overall]