Transylvania County News
(Submitted by Zach Crawford) April 17, 2023
In the mid-1700s, European colonists began traveling south from Philadelphia. They primarily used an established Native American path called the “Warrior’s Path.” Before the Europeans began to improve it, it was only passable by foot or horseback. They widened the trail to make it big enough for their wagons to travel. It then became known as the “Great Wagon Road.”
The “Great Wagon Road” began in Philadelphia, winding all the way into present day Georgia. It was crucial to the...
(Submitted by Zach Crawford) March 27, 2023
On display in the Transylvania Heritage Museum is a muzzle-loader, named “Old Ellen”, stamped with the letters PG. “Old Ellen” was hand forged in 1841 at Mills River by Philip Gillespie.
In 1849, Philip purchased 347 acres of land from his grandfather, Philip Sitton Sr, in present day Mills River. He is the most well known maker of the Gillespie Rifle. His forge. initially established by his grandfather in 1804, was located on what is known today as Forge Mountain.
Philips father, Matthew, was...
Inspired by the success of area boys camps, Brevard native Joe Tinsley purchased 100 acres in 1919 outside Brevard in Cathey's Creek Township with the intent to build a summer camp of his own. Tinsley leased 30 acres to Hinton McLeod, a teacher from Mississippi, and together they made Camp Illahee. Using local building materials and draft horses, it took them only six months to grade a road, build a dining hall/lodge, construct the dam for the lake, dig a well and septic, wire electricity, and level some athletic fields. Illahee opened her doors on June 27, 1921. Eleven campers and...
The Transylvania County Historical Society and Transylvania Heritage Museum recently hosted a presentation by Laura Sperry Gardener, traditional herbalist and local history librarian at the Allison Deaver House.
Participants discovered how the treasure trove of plants that are abundant in the Appalachian mountains are utilized for food and health as a folk medicine practice. The lecture was followed by a walk on the property to identify plants.
This event was part of a series of programs in conjunction with the Transylvania Heritage Museum's current exhibit, "...
Students Enjoy lessons in history at the Allison Deaver House
Second graders from Pisgah Forest Elementary spent time at the Allison Deaver House last week breaking beans, shelling corn, and learning about what life in Transylvania County was like two hundred years ago.
"I've wanted to do this for a long time," Rebecca Suddeth, Director and Program Coordinator for the Transylvania Heritage Museum, stated. "When Melony Hipps contacted me about bringing the classes to Silvermont and I was unable to get the necessary volunteers, I called Marjorie Lillard,...
Transylvania in 2022 will be filled with historic and fun but thought-provoking events and exhibits. To kick off the series, an exhibit featuring interpretive panels, maps, and artifacts will be displayed at the Transylvania Heritage Museum, starting April 2. An Appalachian Folk Festival will be held at the Allison Deaver House on May 14th with artisans, storytellers, and mountain music. Presenters and demonstrators will share the knowledge and skills passed down from previous generations. Later, a video series "Women in Appalachia" will delve into the...
On Saturday visitors to the Transylvania Heritage Museum got a crash course in yarn painting and dying from Becky Garrison, a local spinner and fiber arts artisan.
She demonstrated the process of dying wool using, of all things, Koolaid.
She also demonstrated the technique of painting yarn. She will do Yarn Processing and Spinning Demo, along with Angora Rabbit Breeder Teresa Tyte, at the Transylvania Heritage Museum on...
In 2020 the nation celebrated the centennial of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The Transylvania Heritage Museum was set to launch the exhibit Celebrating Women in History but due to COVID, was unable to open as planned. The exhibit was dismantled and packed away but we are pleased to announce it has been reinstalled and will open to the public on April 8th.
The exhibit is a timeline of Women's history, showcasing the contributions women have made not only nationally but locally. Along with Susan B. Anthony and Amelia Earhart, visitors will learn about...
The Transylvania Heritage Museum will hold its 10th annual Founders' Day Fair on Saturday, September 1st. This year the festivities will be from 12:30-5:00 pm and will include a special Brevard's Got Talent show. Cash prizes will be awarded, with the top winner getting a cool $150 in honor of Brevard's Sesquicentennial year.
Judges will rate the participants on originality, technical ability, stage presence, and the difficulty of their selection. There will also be an opportunity for the crowd to cast a vote.
Brevard Mayor Jimmy Harris who suggested the...
