Local WWII historians to speak on Asheville's unique role in the war

The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County (PSABC) presents a team lecture entitled “World War II in Asheville”, featuring local historians Deborah Miles and Jeff Futch.   Miles, the keynote speaker, will discuss Asheville’s role as a regional communications center during the war and her methods to develop an exhibit through the Veteran’s History Project with the Library of Congress.  Futch will talk about the WNC archives “Military Collection” documenting NC veterans from 1742 to the present, including original oral histories of WWII servicemen and women. 

“This should be an interesting and well attended program, with surprising revelations about Asheville’s contributions during the war years,” says Kieta Osteen-Cochrane, Education Committee Chair.  “We’re honored to have two highly accomplished speakers share the stage and share stories with us.”  Deborah Miles is a graduate of Hendrix College and executive director of UNCA Center for Diversity Education.  She is co-author of Asheville and Western NC in World War II.   UNCA graduate Jeff Futch is regional supervisor of the western office of the NC Department of Cultural Resources.

The lecture event will take place at 5:30 pm on Thursday, November 6th, at the Western North Carolina State Archives at 176 Riceville Road, across from the Veterans Administration Building.  Generous sponsors include the Vetust Study Club and Terry & Ted Van Duyn.  PSABC members and all area residents are invited to attend.  A $10 donation is suggested.

The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to sustain the heritage and sense of place that is Asheville and Buncombe County through preservation and promotion of the unique historic resources of the region.

Established in 1976, the PSABC acts in four key ways to support this mission:

• Endangered Property Intervention using preservation easements, a revolving fund and technical field services,
• Preservation Advocacy promoting and defending important historic resources and neighborhoods,
• The Griffin Awards for Historic Preservation recognizing individuals, businesses and organizations that have utilized a preservation ethic in their projects, and,
• Preservation Education programs throughout the year informing the community of the importance of history and promoting valuable preservation tools and efforts.