Record #:

8423

Author(s):

Conway, Bob

Abstract:

The Homespun Museum was recently opened on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. The museum focuses on Biltmore Industries, which was founded in 1901 by Mrs. George Vanderbilt. She organized the business to produce traditional handmade mountain crafts and to provide employment for those living on the estate. Mrs. Vanderbilt sold Biltmore Industries to Fred Seely in 1917. Seely moved the company to his Grove Park Inn in Asheville. Seely's firm produced high-quality, hand-spun woolens that were worn by three different First Families: the Coolidges, the Hoovers, and the Roosevelts. In addition to its display on Biltmore Industries, the Homespun Museum exhibits other mountain arts, such as Cherokee Indian crafts, mountain baskets, Appalachian folk art, blown glass and pottery.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 12, May 1985, p22-23, il

Subject(s):

Museums--Asheville