Skip to content
360expPublic beta
Log in
Back to events
Hike With A Historian | The Evolution of Asheville's Early 20th Century Architecture
Other

Hike With A Historian | The Evolution of Asheville's Early 20th Century Architecture

Monday, October 12, 2026 · 10:00 AMDowntown Asheville · Asheville

Description

The Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) is excited to announce a community partner Hike with a Historian program with local historian Heath Towson of Mountaineer Motor Tours. Join us as we explore Asheville's great architectural works highlighted in our newest exhibit, Building in The Land of the Sky. Along the way, you will hear the stories behind their construction while learning about Asheville's architectural development during the early twentieth century.The tour will go from the Grove Arcade to Pack Square, taking approximately 1 - 1.5 hours.Historical Waypoints:Grove Arcade & Haywood StreetSt. Lawrence BasilicaVanderbilt Hotel (now Vanderbilt Apartments)Loughran BuildingS&W CafeteriaDrhumor BuildingHistoric Churches of Church Street (highlighting the three historic churches in this area)Pack Square, Akzona Building (I.M. Pei & Partners), & Asheville City Hall and the County CourthouseDetails:When: Monday, October 12thTime: 10 AM – 11:30 AM [est. end time]Meet: 9:50 AM at the South Entrance of Grove ArcadeParking [Recommendation]: Wall Street Parking Garage or Rankin Street Parking Garage [see city webpage for parking fees]; Meter street parking may be available adjacent to Grove Arcade, but not guaranteed.Hike Length/Difficulty: ~ 2 Miles | Easy to Moderate | SidewalkWhat to Bring:Water and snacks; closed-toed, sturdy shoes and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing; and any needed medications.Rain Date: In the event of inclement weather, participants will be notified in advance if the event is to be rescheduled. The alternate rain date will be announced promptly. Full Weather PolicyTickets: AMoH Members | $35 [plus fees & taxes]General Admission | $45 [plus fees & taxes]We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available for each event. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able, please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would otherwise be unable to attend.Emergency Contact Form:All registrants must fill out the waiver and emergency contact form in advance. Registrants will receive a waiver and emergency contact form soon after registering for the program.Hike Leader/s:This outing is led by Heath Towson, local historian and owner of Mountaineer Motor Tours, and by Steven Nickollof, AMoH Director of Programs.Heath Towson is an Asheville native, born in "The Land of the Sky." He runs his own tour company, Mountaineer Motor Tours, which provides tours of Asheville in a 1923 Ford Model T, step on guide services for charter bus groups, and historical speaking presentations. Towson also serves as a docent and tour guide at the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum in Historic Grovewood Village. This summer, he hosted The Motor Mile Car Show on Coxe Avenue, highlighting Asheville's early automotive history on the city's historic "Motor Mile."Steven has an MA in American history and is interested in both Appalachian and environmental history. He is also Wilderness First Aid/CPR certified.For questions, please contact Steven Nickollof at [email protected]