Guide to the Historic Architecture of Western North Carolina - (Richard Hampton Jenrette Architecture and the Decorative Arts) (Paperback)

About the Book

Introducing readers to the region's architectural heritage, this portable field guide features 1,200 historic buildings of western North Carolina. 370 photos. 36 maps.

Book Synopsis

This portable field guide to the historic architecture of western North Carolina covers 1,200 historic buildings in 25 counties in the foothills and mountains. It introduces readers to the region's rich and diverse architectural heritage -- from the log farmstead to the opulent mountain retreat, and from ancient earthen mounds of the Cherokee to twentieth-century hydroelectric dams and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Featuring more than 370 photographs and 36 maps, the guide is written for travelers and residents alike. It offers concise entries on notable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities, emphasizing buildings that are visible from the road and indicating sites that are open to the public.

A project of the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office of the Division of Archives and History and its western office in Asheville, the book reflects more than twenty-five years of fieldwork and research in the agency's statewide architectural survey and National Register of Historic Places programs. A previous volume covers eastern North Carolina and a future volume will cover the piedmont region.

Review Quotes

[F]ully demonstrates that there is no better evidence of the region's richly varied past and socioeconomic range than its architecture.

John C. Inscoe, author of "Mountain Masters: Slavery and the Sectional Crisis in Western North Carolina"

ÝA¨ prototype in establishing an increased level of accessibility for those wishing to explore architecture from a regional perspective.

"Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians"

ÝF¨ully demonstrates that there is no better evidence of the region's richly varied past and socioeconomic range than its architecture.

John C. Inscoe, author of "Mountain Masters: Slavery and the Sectional Crisis in Western North Carolina"

A stunningly articulate, witty, artful, but dry-eyed introduction to the architecture of western North Carolina.

"North Carolina Historical Review"

Western North Carolina is blessed with marvelous historic architecture and this wonderful book captures it all.

Richard Moe, president, National Trust for Historic Preservation

"[F]ully demonstrates that there is no better evidence of the region's richly varied past and socioeconomic range than its architecture.

John C. Inscoe, author of "Mountain Masters: Slavery and the Sectional Crisis in Western North Carolina""

"A stunningly articulate, witty, artful, but dry-eyed introduction to the architecture of western North Carolina.

"North Carolina Historical Review""

"Western North Carolina is blessed with marvelous historic architecture and this wonderful book captures it all.

Richard Moe, president, National Trust for Historic Preservation"

[A] prototype in establishing an increased level of accessibility for those wishing to explore architecture from a regional perspective.

"Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians"

The book is a pleasure not only to read but also to use in the field.

"Journal of Southern History"

About the Author

Catherine W. Bishir, Michael T. Southern, and Jennifer F. Martin are all affiliated with the State Historic Preservation Office. Catherine Bishir is senior architectural historian and survey coordinator and author of North Carolina Architecture. Michael Southern is research historian and, with Catherine Bishir, coauthor of A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Eastern North Carolina. Jennifer Martin is National Register coordinator. She and Michael Southern were formerly preservation specialists with the Western Office of Archives and History in Asheville.