This exhibit contains images of the built environment of Transylvania County, located in the southwest corner of North Carolina, bordering South Carolina.
Architectural surveys are inventories of built, intact structures in a given area. These images document structures and communities in Brevard, Rosman, Lake Toxaway, Cedar Mountain, Pisgah Forest, and other areas. The County was founded in 1861 as an agricultural community, which is evident through the survey. Hundreds of images depict homes, barns, spring houses, smokehouses, chicken houses, silos, and many other structures that reflect the activities and roots of the rural community. The majority of the images were taken in 1990 and 1991.
In addition to farms, the survey also documents churches, cemeteries, local businesses, and schools, some of which have since been demolished. These resources include corresponding data that describe locations, family names, and historical information that could serve as excellent resources for genealogists or researchers.
These images and documents were created as part of an architectural survey conducted in 1990-1991, with funding by Transylvania County and a federal Historic Preservation Fund grant administered by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. A manuscript was also published as a result of this survey. The images and documents featured here are copies from originals held by the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, which may be contacted for additional context and to view the originals.
The collection featured here can be seen at the Transylvania County Library and which holds additional resources about the architecture of the area. Please visit the contributor page or their website for more information.
