Arts & Culture
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
The Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse that inspired Look Homeward, Angel, now a North Carolina state historic site.
The House Behind the Novel
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial at 52 North Market Street preserves the Old Kentucky Home, a Victorian boardinghouse built in 1883 and run by Wolfe's mother, Julia. It grew from a seven-room family residence into a 29-room boardinghouse and inspired the novel Look Homeward, Angel. The State of North Carolina bought it in 1975, and it is one of the state's historic sites.
Visiting
The site's own page lists guided house tours Tuesday through Saturday at half-hour intervals, and it is closed Sunday and Monday and on state holidays. Admission to the house tour is charged, while the visitor center and its exhibit hall are free according to the site. Confirm current hours and pricing on the official site.
Nearby
It is a short walk from Pack Square Park and the rest of downtown.
Arts & Culture
More Arts & Culture
Other arts & culture activities in Asheville
Biltmore Estate
George Vanderbilt's 1895 château and gardens, with Antler Hill Village, a winery, and seasonal events like Luminere and Christmas at Biltmore.
Folk Art Center
The Southern Highland Craft Guild's flagship center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with galleries, the Allanstand Craft Shop, and a craft library.
River Arts District
A working studio district along the French Broad River, rebuilding after Helene and full of artists, galleries, and events.
Asheville Art Museum
A downtown museum of 20th century American art on Pack Square, with rotating exhibitions.
Asheville Community Theatre
The oldest continuously operating theatre in Asheville, staging mainstage musicals, youth productions, and more since 1946.
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