Cover Photo by Steve Harsnett
JOIN OUR TOUR OF HOMES
And Support Our Beautiful Community Parks & Thoroughfares
By Steve Harsnett • Photos provided by Steve Harsnett
The Grove Park – Sunset Mountain Neighborhood was designed and developed by Saint Louis entrepreneur Edwin Wiley Grove along with Chancey Beadle, landscaper and superintendent of the Biltmore Estate. A superb example of early 20th-century planned residential development, the neighborhood’s homes, and important architectural landmarks remain remarkably intact today.
In 1907, Grove seized the opportunity to purchase the land surrounding the planned Grove Park Inn and sold it to developers who created a housing stock of delightful dwellings. By 1913, the Inn was completed and still graces the neighborhood today. Richard Sharp Smith, the supervising architect of the Biltmore Estate, stayed in Asheville for several decades and infuenced much of the neighborhood's distinctive architectural style, the “English Derived Craftsman,” which was inspired by the American and English Arts and Crafts movement.
The Grove Park - Sunset Mountain area quickly earned a reputation for enduring quality, quaint cottages, and prestigious full-time residences. Streetcar lines at the turn of the century and the afordability of cars played a vital role in the neighborhood’s platting as a “streetcar suburb” with garages, communal parking, and larger lots for homes. Progressive for its day, the neighborhood featured sidewalks, specifc tree and plant specimens for the area, and the frst curvilinear residential street in Asheville, Macon Avenue.
The blend of architectural styles, including midcentury modern, Queen Anne, and Tudor Revival, creates a wonderful sense of place far diferent from current residential developments. Each home tells a story of the past, with intricate details and craftsmanship that are a testament to the skill and creativity of the artisans who built them. Today, four of the neighborhood sections, Grove Park, Proximity
Park, Sunset Terrace, and the Kimberly Amendment, are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The legacy of the neighborhood’s founders and the passion of the current residents to protect that legacy make the Grove Park - Sunset Mountain Neighborhood a vibrant, desirable, and welcoming place to call home. With the rapid growth and development that Asheville has experienced in recent
years, eforts to preserve this community and these historic homes have been ongoing. Many residents have invested time and resources into restoration projects to maintain the integrity of their properties while updating them with today’s modern amenities.
The voluntary Grove ParkSunset Mountain Neighborhood Association has made eforts to protect the green space and scenic vistas as a focal
point to ensure that the character of the neighborhoods is preserved for future generations. The Grove Park- Sunset Mountain Neighborhood Association is a 501c3 nonproft organization and is responsible for the landscape maintenance of Sunset Park, E.W Grove Park, the Grifng Rose Garden, and the twentytwo landscaped trafc islands throughout the community.
By participating in the 2024 tour, on September 14th and 15th, your donation contributes to the efort to maintain the charm of the community now and in the future. We hope that you enjoy your visit to our homes and community and that you will make our Tour of Homes an annual event. Thank you for your support!
For tickets and additional information on the 2024 Tour of Homes URL: www.gp-smna.org
Calendar Events of
Asheville Tourists Games
June 2-August 4
@McCormick Field
Come cheer on our local baseball team and have a blast of family fun! Hot dogs, peanuts, beer and more!
Time: varies; check website for info
Cost: Ticket prices vary www.milb.com/asheville
WEEKLY CAMPS
10 June thru 16 August
@ SUN SOO MARTIAL ARTS
Unlock a summer of excitement, growth, and empowering martial arts for your child! Experience high-quality martial arts instruction, engaging arts and crafts, team-building games, and adventureflled feld trips. Voted #1 “Best of WNC” camp! We instill respect, perseverance, and leadership skills in our campers. Our camps are for rising K-5th grade students.
Time: 9am-4pm with extended care options available.
Register today on martialartsasheville.com
Small Group Cooking Class
@ La Cuisine Cooking Classes
Schedule a 3-hr. class & make Chinese dishes with a local and healthy twist. Learn delicious recipes, explore the culture, energetics of food, and digestive health. All classes include the ingredients & materials needed, cooking and eating a balanced meal together, and then cleaning in our kitchen in North Asheville. All recipes will be given in a written booklet for you to take home. There are four different classes to choose from or take all four!
Time: Thurs. 5pm-8pm and Sun. 10am-1pm Cost: $70/person www.la-cuisine.org
Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Every Saturday July-October
@ Pritchard Park
Join us for this Artists’ Market that showcases the talent of local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters, up-cycled crafters, and others. In addition, local live music from three musical acts each Saturday.
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: FREE www.oohlalacuriositymarket.com
Twilight in the Treetops
June 1-August 31 (Every Saturday)
@Adventure Center of Asheville
The world transforms in the trees as you climb at our Asheville Treetops Adventure Park. Over 15,000 lights plus colorful lasers sparkle of leaves, cables, ropes, and platforms throughout the park, creating a mystical tree-climbing experience! Ages 4 and over; reservations are suggested by calling 877.247.5539.
Time: 7:45pm-9:45pm
Cost: $64/person info@adventurecenterofasheville.com
Street Dances
Sat., Aug.10
@Welcome Center, 201 S. Main Street, Hendersonville
Hendersonville Street Dances have taken place annually since 1918 when the city welcomed home its soldiers from the War by celebrating in the streets. This regular concert series showcases traditional, local bluegrass music, square dancing, and Appalachian clogging demonstrations. The concert is organized by the Arts Council of Henderson County.
Time: 7-9pm
Cost: FREE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl1_JlfuDQA
Music by the Lake
Sun., Aug.11
@ Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock
FEATURING: Asheville-based TUXEDO
JUNCTION is an iconic example of a cover music group. It has been playing the hits of countless other musical acts from the 1930s to present-day over the past three decades.
Each summer, Blue Ridge Community College offers summer concerts beside the college lake as a gift to the community. These free concerts feature a wide range of musical and vocal groups. Bring lawn chairs and a picnic to enjoy the music by the lake.
Time: 5-7pm
Cost: FREE https://www.blueridge.edu/
Rhythm & Brews
Thurs., Aug.15
@Welcome Center, S. Main Street, Hendersonville
FEATURING: EMPIRE STRIKES BRASS [[Brass/ Funk/Rock]] with Zydeco Ya Ya [[Zydeco/Cajun Swing]]
Rhythm & Brews brings together live music, food trucks, plus locally crafted beer, wine, and cider! Free concerts feature a children’s area with games and activities. Tickets and wristbands, for the purchase of beer, wine, and hard cider, will be located at the Downtown Hendersonville tent. Opening acts kick-off followed by headliner. The Inclement Weather Policy is to delay each act by 30 minutes before moving on to the next act. If the headline act is unable to perform by 8:00 pm the show will be canceled.
Time: 5:30-9:30pm
Cost: FREE
828-233-3216 or visit Downtown Hendersonville
Downtown After 5
Fri., Aug. 16
@ Downtown Asheville (N. Lexington Ave.) In collaboration with LEAF Global Arts, we're excited to bring back LEAF Downtown at Downtown After 5. FEATURING: TITO PUENTE JR. with the LEAF Kono Band opening.
Time: 5-9:30pm
Cost: FREE
Music
on Main (Hendersonville)
August 16
@ Welcome Center, 201 S. Main Street, Hendersonville
FEATURING: LIVEWIRE
These free outdoor concerts offer a diverse line-up of music from pop, oldies, rock, to contemporary— something for everyone!
Time: 7pm-9pm
Cost: FREE
Biltmore Forest 10k Run / Walk
Sat., Aug. 17
Join this unforgettable summer 10k Race, winding through the picturesque rolling hills of Biltmore Forest. This scenic race supports a great cause - THE KIWANIS CLUB OF ASHEVILLE. Learn more about the impactful work they do at ashevillekiwanis.org/ and REGISTER FOR THE RACE/WALK at kickitevents.com/biltmore-forest10k
Time: Race starts at 7:30AM, Awards at 9AM Cost: 10k Runners $45 til 7/31 then $50, 10k Walkers $ 40 til 7/31, then $45
ADVANCE NOTICE:
ANNUAL HENDERSONVILLE APPLE FESTIVAL
Fri., August 30- Mon., Sept.2
Downtown Hendersonville, NC
Street Fair, Live Entertainment, King Apple Parade, and many community activities liven up every Labor Day weekend. The North Carolina Apple Festival is proud to celebrate the history and importance of the apple industry to our community. Henderson County leads the state in apple production and is 7th nationwide. We work closely with the local growers and are happy to have 14 local growers who participate in the Festival each year.
The NC MOUNTAIN STATE FAIR
September 6th-15th
@WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC
This celebration of agriculture, people, art, and more is the offcial state fair of Western NC! Rides, thrills, trade shows, a petting zoo, a Moo-ternity ward, animal shows, tractor pulls, games, food, fun, exhibits, and live entertainment await at the 2nd biggest fair in NC.
Grove Park - Sunset Mountain 2024 Tour of Homes
Sat. & Sun., September 14th & 15th
Join us for 2 days of exploring beautiful homes in the charming neighborhood of Grove Park- Sunset Mountain - each day features SIX unique homes! Take a leisurely stroll through the streets and admire the unique architecture and design of each home. Meet the homeowners and get inspired by their creativity and style. This is a great opportunity to gather ideas for your own home or simply appreciate the craftsmanship of these stunning properties. Trolley transportation will run continuously along the tour route.
Time. 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $35-95
www.gp-smna.org