New direction for Grovewood Village positions historic gem as new cultural destination

In preparation for a celebration of the centennial of Biltmore Industries’ home at Grovewood, owners of the historic property are evolving this hidden gem into Grovewood Village. The property, which includes six English cottages, was constructed by Fred L. Seely to house Biltmore Industries after he purchased the business from Edith Vanderbilt in 1917.

Today, Grovewood Village includes Grovewood Gallery, which will also mark its 25th anniversary in 2017, a nationally recognized gallery dedicated to fine American art and craft. Grovewood Village also encompasses the North Carolina Homespun Museum (which gives an historical overview of Biltmore Industries), an antique car museum, Golden Fleece restaurant, 9 working artist studios, and an 11-acre park and sculpture garden.

“When visitors find us, they are always pleasantly surprised,” said Karen Babcock, General Manager of Grovewood Village. “With development of Grovewood Village as a destination, we want to enhance and enrich Asheville’s authentic arts and crafts experience here with improved wayfinding and interpretation.”

To that end, the North Carolina Homespun Museum will become a starting point for visitors, giving them the overall history of the entire property and providing orientation as a new Visitors Center. Grovewood Gallery and the Antique Car Museum will also function as special event spaces available to rent. Grovewood Village will host more events, demonstrations and hands-on experiences throughout the year.

“We are excited about the changes and the new direction,” said Babcock. “Grovewood Village represents a cornerstone in Asheville’s history as well as in the history of American art and craft. The success of Biltmore Industries as the largest producer of handwoven wool in the world is a story we should all know.”

Plans for Biltmore Industries’ Centennial Celebration and the 25th anniversary of Grovewood Gallery are underway, and the campus will start its transformation with a wayfinding system and a reinterpretation of the Homespun Museum into a visitors center in early 2017.

About Grovewood Village

Grovewood Village is a privately owned historic Asheville destination located adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn. Biltmore Industries began at this site in 1917 and became the largest producer of hand-woven wool in the world by 1930. The 11-acre campus includes Grovewood Gallery, 9 working artist studios, a sculpture garden, Golden Fleece restaurant, the North Carolina Homespun Museum, and Asheville’s only antique car museum. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Free parking is available on-site.

Another Grovewood Village gallery, Gallery of the Mountains, is located across the street inside The Omni Grove Park Inn (Sammons Wing).

For more information, visit www.grovewood.com.