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BRCC to host Local History Fair on May 3

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 21, 2023

Western North Carolina history will be the focus of the first annual Local History Fair hosted Wednesday, May 3, by Blue Ridge Community College.

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The free public event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Henderson County Campus library, featuring exhibits, presentations, crafts and activities prepared by numerous community organizations.
 
“In Western North Carolina, we are fortunate to be surrounded by a very rich cultural history, and our first-ever Local History Fair is designed to help us respect and learn more about our roots by making that history accessible,” said Anthony Baltiero, Blue Ridge’s director of library services. “It’s an honor to serve alongside so many fine organizations as we bring our community members together to celebrate our shared heritage.”
 
The May 3 Local History Fair will feature:
  • Center for Cultural Preservation
  • Black Research Group of Henderson County
  • Hendersonville Historic Preservation Commission
  • Henderson County Public Library
  • Historic Johnson Farms
  • Hendersonville Pride
  • Henderson County Education History Initiative
  • Buncombe County Special Collections
  • Western North Carolina Historical Association
  • Daughters of the American Revolution, Abraham Kuykendall Chapter
 
During the fair, the Blue Ridge Community College Library will present an interactive exhibit designed to give context to hundreds of physical College photos from the 1970s through today. Attendees will also enjoy a special presentation by Historic Johnson Farms and the opportunity to discuss history and initiatives with representatives from all guest organizations.
 
“Over the decades, our college has collected or been given many photos of our alumni and community events," Baltiero said. "Our hope is that our neighbors can help give context to these photos by identifying those people and events they remember."
 
The Local History Fair is scheduled during the library’s May 1-5 Preservation Week. During this week, partner displays and Blue Ridge’s photo collection will be available for public viewing during library hours.