Something New to Do in Asheville, NC: Visit the Smith-McDowell House Museum

Smith-McDowell House Museum
283 Victoria Road
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 253-9231‎
www.wnchistory.org

This interesting museum located in Asheville is going to stir your weekend up a little with something different to do! Are you looking for a new activity to do during your courtship, perhaps? This is a romantic and exciting place to visit, while still being public. Looking for someplace different to take the kids? They may just love you for a trip to this place!

Once lived in by a Civil War major, various mayors in Asheville, and others, it's now a historic site to all visitors who want a look into life in the 19^th century. It's time to see a little preserved piece of the history of Western North Carolina! After all, this museum/house is the oldest surviving house in all of Asheville, and it's the oldest surviving brick building in the entire county! It was constructed in 1840 by James Smith - a man of great wealth.

Enjoy seeing this mansion with its double-tiered porch, gable roof, and large chimneys. Another thing that makes the structure so impressive is that the massive brick walls are 12 to 20 inches thick! Enjoy the old-fashioned fans spinning above your head, and the pretty columns that stand along the porch. The floor plan is in Adamesque style, and apparently the brick was made in England.

There are also some interesting outbuildings to check out - three in all - including the Summer Kitchen, which was originally not attached to the house but now is. The second building is used for storage, salt curing, and laundry and it's pretty neat to see as well.

A man named Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. designed a planting scheme for the property, and today you can still enjoy it! Come and visit in the spring time, perhaps, when the azaleas are in bloom! All in all, you are going to enjoy this new and exciting activity in North Carolina!

So come on and enjoy your weekend once again! You're going to really love this sight-seeing and learning experience as I do, right here in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina! Time to stop wasting your mind and time away in front of the television, and time to get out of the house and see something new! Let your mind wander a little bit, and imagine yourself living back there in the 1800's!