SEPTEMBER 2014 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM NEWSLETTTER

other Society members they have accumulated “the best family collection of data that exists anywhere.” Their picture collection is second only to the Baker-Barber collection. One big difference, in the Society’s collection they know who everyone is in the pictures they have.

Any family can come to the society and research their family history in Henderson County. Many families have already done so and their collections are there as well.

The Society has accumulated some great records, because when they built the new courthouse many of the records from the old court house were given to the society to preserve and keep.

The Society has records on events in the county as well. For example if you wanted to know how the county Extension Office was developed, they have the

In 2003 Dr. George Jones was instrumental in form-ing the Henderson County Historic Courthouse Corporation. This led to the creation of the Heritage Museum. In addition he is one of the founders of the Henderson County Genealogical and Historical Society. Recently he once again assisted the museum by giving us a window and

doors from the original jail in the court house (see photo on right.)

Dr. Jones has been interested in history all his life. When he was 14 years old he began asking his granddaddy questions. “Who’s your father? Who was his father?” His grandfather said, “Now wait a minute!” He went and got a whole sack of papers and handed them over to George saying. “You take these home and you study them. If any are good you keep ‘em.” Included in the sack were family records from 1788 to the present. This was George’s first historical collection.

Dr. Jones has a PhD in history and has been at the Genealogical Society since it was formed 32 years ago. Through his efforts and those of the

DR. GEORGE JONES HELPS MUSEUM AGAIN

Dr Jones highly

recommends seeing the

murals upstairs in the

Genealogy Society. “They

are quite instructive.” The

murals feature

Hendersonville’s Main

Street from 1890 to 1934.

Inside this issue:

George Jones 1

Terry Ruscin 2

Tom Orr 3

Steve Carlisle 4

Alicia Dondero 5

For Students 6

Apple Festival Photos 8

records.

On a personal note Dr. Jones’s favorite time period is the American Revolution and our Founding Fathers. Did you know that John Quincy Adams, our 6th American President, knew more languages than any other president before or after?

PAGE 2 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM

Terry Ruscin, author of the highly successful Hidden His-tory of Henderson County, North Carolina, has now written a much anticipated sequel, Glimpses of Henderson County, North Carolina.

The Heritage Museum will be hosting a book launch on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. It will be held in the 2nd floor Courtroom. Terry will be signing books and give a “comprehensive PowerPoint presentation.” Refreshments will be served. This book is an illustrated ramble through Edneyville, Fruitland, Clear Creek, Hoop-ers Creek and the Green River Township.

“PRESERVING THE PAST, TO ENRICH THE FUTURE. Henderson County is known for its country inns,

houses of worship and picturesque landscapes. Behind all the beautiful scenery is a colorful history that runs deeper than any creek or holler. Revel in the family and farming heritage of Edneyville, Clear Creek, Green River Township, Hoopers Creek and Fruitland. In Terry Ruscin’s Glimpses of Henderson County, relive the resort era when the region first boomed as a tourist destination. Learn how the wee population center of Goodluck came by its name, and inhale the sweet fragrance of apple blossoms that bloom in profusion every springtime. Drawing from interviews, documents and a gallery of both contemporary and time-honored photography, author and researcher Terry Ruscin renders his adopted Henderson County in vivid detail.”

Included material:

• Edneyville, Fruitland & Clear Creek

• Green River Township

• Hoopers Creek

• “In With the Inn Crowd” (about the old country inns)

• “Sinister” (about murders & air disasters)

• Agricultural heritage including the county’s apple industry

• Family histories & genealogy

• Churches & religious movements

• Schools

• Cemeteries

• More than 100 photographs (mostly never before published)

• Fully indexed

Call (828) 694-1691 for more information.

NOTE: All material above in bold type (beginning with the third paragraph) is courtesy of Glimpses of Henderson County , North Carolina.

Glimpses of Henderson County by Terry Ruscin

PAGE 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

“Realms of Gold” by Tom Orr

A special feature of the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Library on Sunday afternoon, September 21, will be two performances of a Readers Theater play, “Realms of Gold.”

The multi-media production, about the founding and history of the li-brary, will be presented at 2 and 3 pm in the Kaplan Auditorium. Tom E. Orr, who spent his career as English teacher and director of school plays in the Henderson County Public Schools, has compiled and written the commemorative play. “Realms of Gold” will be videotaped for archives by Chris Nevel, videographer for the Heritage Museum. Special lighting will be provided by HLT's John Arnett.

Much of the material has been taken from early press accounts of the founding and development of the Library; and from other sources, including Louise H. Bailey. Frank FitzSimons, Sr., Bob “Scooter” Williams, Ernestne Nagell and Jim Toms. Poet Katherine Hamilton, Orr's former student, has written a special poem “Shhh, you're in a library” especially for this production.

What we now know as the Henderson County Public Library started as the Carnegie Free Library in the brick building at the corner of King Street and 4th Avenue East. The building was provided by a grant from Andrew Carnegie, the Cleveland, Ohio steel magnate, and was built on a lot donated by Captain Marion Columbus Toms.

The cast for the Reader’s Theater presentation will

include, among others, Marcia Mills Kelso, the granddaughter of former Hendersonville Mayor Al Edwards, who served the city for 37 years (1932-1969); Hilliard Staton, a descendant of Mayor R.H. Staton;

Rebecca Johnson (Gordon), whose family goes back to the founding of Henderson County; and Jim Toms. Jim's grandfather Charles French Toms was influential in gaining Carnegie funding.

The approximate running time for the play is 35 minutes.

Miss Anne Sample, librarian from 1920-1957, who was always reluctant to have her picture taken, commented about her work: “There were many things that made my work appealing—and challenge was one of them.”

(The previous paragraphs are from the press release for “Realms of Gold”.)

When speaking to Tom about the play he told me that one of the things he feels is the most special about this production is the fact that all the actors have ancestors who were the movers and shakers in the development of Henderson County.

The history of the library is very interesting from its early beginnings in 1897, when it was only a reading room in the old Town Hall and Opera House that once stood on Main Street, to 1920 through 1957 when Anne Sample served as librarian and had a powerful influence on the development of Henderson County.

Don’t miss this unique story of our history and our heritage.

PAGE 4 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM

If one were to ride down Little River Road in Flat Rock, North Carolina one would surely pass by a full parking lot for the home of Carl Sandburg run by the National Park Service. The home itself was begun around the late 1830’s and

was bought by the Sandburgs in 1945 when Mr. and Mrs. Sandburg brought their three daughters, two grandchildren, 14,000 books and a herd of dairy goats down from Michigan to the lush green hillsides of Connemara in Flat Rock.

The Henderson County Heritage Museum will present a one act play written by Steve Carlisle titled “The Sandburgs of Connemara.” The play contains three original songs written and performed by the author’s brother Michael Carlisle. Playing the part of Carl Sandburg will be Brian Evers while Mrs. Sandburg will be played by Kim Cozort. Rounding out the cast will be Carol Duermit and Steve Carlisle.

The play will run approximately 45 minutes in the 2nd floor courtroom of the Old Courthouse on Main Street. After the play the audience will be ushered to an adjoining room where interpreters from the National Park Service will display certain materials on the Sandburgs and be happy to answer any questions the audience members may have.

Tickets for the 4 performances are $10 and may be obtained by calling the Henderson County Heritage Museum at 828-694-1619. Performances will be on October 17th at 7:00

pm; October 18th at 2:00 pm and again at 7:00 pm and on October 19th at 2:00 pm.

(From “An entertainment to be presented in mid October” provided by Steve Carlisle.)

“The Sandburgs of Connemara” by Steve Carlisle

Steve Carlisle, recently retired as the Associate Dean of the Honors College at Western Carolina University where he served for 8 years. Prior to that he taught in the Theatre Department at Western. He was the recipient of the Man of the Year Award in 2005 presented by the Abraham Kuykendall Chapter of the N.C. Society of Daughters of the American Revolution in Henderson County.

Carlisle, the son of Betty and Steve Carlisle Sr. of Hendersonville, received the award in recognition of excellence in theater, television, motion pictures and radio at the chapter's meeting on September 8th. A graduate of Hendersonville High School, he graduated from Western in 1973 with a degree in speech and theatre arts. He went on to Florida Atlantic University, where he earned his master of fine arts degree in theatre in 1977.

Carlisle is a member of Actors Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Theatrical and Radio Artists, and has enjoyed a career in theatre, films and television spanning more than 30 years.

While living in New York, he performed off Broadway, worked with Charles Nelson Reilly and the National Shakespeare Co., and toured and performed in schools and theatres. He performed in several soap operas, including "One Life To Live," "Ryan's Hope," "Another World" and "All My Children." Among his prime time TV credits are "Rosanne," "Quantum Leap," "L.A. Law," "Evening Shade" and "Knot's Landing," while his film work includes "Dead Man Walking," "The Curse," "Fled," "Cop and a Half," "Calendar Girl," “My Fellow Americans,” and "Air Time."

He has performed with many regional union theaters, including the Burt Reynolds Theater in Jupiter, Florida, and at the Flat Rock Playhouse, where he has appeared in more than 150 professional productions over the past 24 years. He has directed numerous plays and appeared in national commercials and in instructional videos and CDs.

In addition to teaching at Western, he also has taught at the Burt Reynolds Institute for Theatre Training and Blue Ridge Community College. A frequent master of ceremonies for local events, Carlisle hosted a weekly radio show "It's All About Life" on WHKP-AM in Hendersonville on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. until 2006.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Jeffrey Blackwell (with corrections to update)

A little bit about Steve Carlisle...

PAGE 5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

even as it improves almost daily.

Alicia says that she loves

meeting people from all over. Visitors, new residents, and old residents looking to see a new

exhibit, come to the museum and enjoy what it has to offer. Their enjoyment makes Alicia feel that she is paid back every day for her volunteer work.

Alicia and her husband Donald, care-fully researched all the aspects of a place to retire. Then they vacationed in the best choices to try them out. Finally they decided that Hendersonville was the best choice. Twenty or Twenty-one years ago they acted on their choice and purchased their property in Hendersonville. Five years later they retired and moved here from New York. Alicia smiles her great smile and says, “We couldn’t have made a better choice.”

“IF YOU LEARN SOMETHING IN A DAY, YOU HAVE

LIVED FOR A YEAR!”

Volunteers are the life blood of the Heritage Museum, and one of the first volunteers to come on board six and half years ago was Alicia Dondero. Alicia is personable, friendly, informed, and excited to be part of the volunteer staff. Alicia has been a volunteer at the Historic Johnson Farm for 11 years and, when the notice went out that the museum was to open, and needed volunteers to work there, she immediately volunteered. She also volunteers at the Flat Rock Playhouse because “no grass is growin’ under her feet!”

Alicia says that it is always a learning experience. Her mother told her, “If you learn something in a day, you have lived for a year.” She knows now that is a very true statement. She is very proud of the museum and the fact that everyone involved has kept it vibrant. She says they have never lost the original vision of what is could be,

SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEER ALICIA DONDERO

Help Keep History Alive—Heritage Museum Volunteer Opportunities

Docents… Volunteer docents are needed to lead tours and answer questions in the rooms of the Henderson County Heritage Museum. Docents are required to take four hours of classes. Shifts are 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Visitor Hospitality Specialists… Volunteers are needed to welcome visitors, answer questions and distribute brochures. One hour of training is required. Shifts are 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Gift Shop Volunteers… Volunteers are needed to work in the museum's gift shop. One hour of training is required. Shifts are 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Exhibits and other activities… Volunteers are needed to help set up and take down exhibits for each rotation. Volunteers are also needed to assist with research for upcoming exhibits and also to assist in hospitality at Special Events. To volunteer call 694-1619 Wednesday through Sunday or email to heritagemuseum@hendersoncountync.org.

For Students!! Any students who need information about the Revolutionary War for school can ask for the

handy pamphlet the museum staff has prepared for this. Also if you parents have any suggestions about things that would be of interest to children that could be added to the

museum please let museum staff know.

PAGE 6 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Ms. Carolyn Justus, Chair Ms. Karen Baker, Ex-Officio - Travel/Tourism Ms. Ruth Birge Mr. Andrew Carl Brannon Ms. Bessie Mac Levi Bright Mr. J. Michael Edney, Ex-Officio - Commissioner Representative Ms. JoAnn Stepp Fain Ms. Virginia Gambill, Treasurer Ms. Patsy Farmer Jones Ms. Miller Medina

Contact information for email newsletter should be sent to:

museumoffice@hendersoncountync.org 697-5007

Help Keep Our Museum Alive with Monetary Donations

“TO CATCH THE READER'S ATTENTION, PLACE AN INTERESTING SENTENCE OR QUOTE FROM THE STORY HERE.”

Pathfinders Gifts of $250 to $499

Pioneers Gifts of $500 to $999

Homesteaders Gifts of $1000 to $2,499

Explorer Gifts of $2500 or more

HERITAGE MUSEUM STAFF: Brenda Bradshaw, Museum Director, (828) 694-5007 Sherby Merchant, Museum Supervisor (Weekdays): 828-694-1619 Barbara Green, Museum Supervisor (Weekends): 828-694-1619 Chris Nevel, Video & Media, (828) 808-7254

The Henderson County Heritage Museum Board of Directors is dedicated to fulfilling its responsibilities to the Henderson County Board of Commissioners to design and operate a heritage and history museum in the restored Historic Courthouse located on the block in downtown Hendersonville between First and Second Avenues and Main and Church Streets.

Book Signing: Nov 8, 2014

At 2:00 pm

Cherokee Little People Were Real

By Mary A. Joyce.

A book to preserve a unique bit of American history, a his-tory that captivates the imagi-nation.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 7

Museum Apple Festival

Float

PAGE 8 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM

MUSEUM WINS SECOND PLACE

FOR APPLE FESTIVAL

DECORATIONS

Way to go!

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 9

FROM: Henderson County Heritage Museum 1 Historic Courthouse Square #4 Hendersonville, NC 28792

TO:

Newsletter designing and publishing by Phoebe Blackwell