FUNDRAISERS

Early December
Holiday Greens Market

CONTRIBUTE

To make tax-deductible contributions towards the completion of the Park, contact:

Monteith Community Park
Herb Nolan, Town Clerk
Town of Dillsboro
PO Box 1088,
Dillsboro, NC 28725
828-586-1439 email

Appalachian Women’s Museum Emma Wertenberger,
PO Box 430,
Dillsboro, NC 28725.
828-586-5244 email

Performing Arts Center
Dr. Cliff Faull,
Kudzu Players, Inc.,
PO Box 834, Sylva, NC 28779.
828-586-6817
 

The Town of Dillsboro is creating a new, 16-acre multi-use park with a historical museum, amphitheater, performing arts center, recreation area, public restrooms, walking trails and public parking on the site of the Monteith Farmstead just east of town.

In 2001, the Town of Dillsboro acquired the property from the estate of Edna and Edith Monteith, two sisters whose family had lived in Jackson County for generations. Edna, like her father, worked at the Post Office. Edith stayed home tending to the house and farm. Click here to download a Monteith family history (PDF).

Appalachian Women’s Museum
The 1908 farmstead home will be restored to become the Appalachian Women's Museum, a cultural heritage tourism site that will honor and recognize generations of Appalachian women for their work both in and out of the home. Plans include permanent displays of Monteith family artifacts, traveling exhibits and educational shows, and a restored landscape plan that will showcase local heritage and heirloom gardening.

Mathews Architecture of Asheville has been selected to work on the creation of the Master Plan. The firm has expertise in working on historic buildings, landscaping and environmentally responsible building practices.

Application has been made to the National Register of Historic Places, and teams of local volunteers have begun the process of cleaning and cataloguing the site and its contents. A program has been established at Western Carolina University allowing students to contribute their services and earn course credit as they assist in the reclamation and preservation on the site.

To learn more about the efforts of the Museum Committee, download the 2007 Chairperson’s Report (PDF).
 

Monteith Community Park
The location is within easy walking distance of the center of town, providing much needed parking for visitors and residents. During special events, visitors can ride shuttle buses to the center of town.

The walking trails will connect to the Jackson County Greenway; and the performing arts center – will feature a visual arts gallery, and will be home to The Kudzu Players, a local community theater group.