Description
Join the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) on Tuesday, March 31st, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the historic Smith-McDowell House, home to AMoH, for a special History Hour program: ‘Mountain Scenery' by Henry Elliott Colton, 1859: Discovering WNC & Asheville, Promoting Tourism in the 1850s, with Elizabeth “Liz” Colton, Ph.D. Light refreshments will be available.
About the History Hour Program:
Elizabeth “Liz” Colton will introduce “Mountain Scenery: The Scenery of the Mountains of Western North Carolina & Northwestern South Carolina” (1859), a guidebook written promoting tourism by her great-great uncle Henry Elliott Colton and published by companies in both Philadelphia and Raleigh. The fascinating, beautiful, still useful, now treasured book is a detailed introduction to WNC and Asheville by an explorer of the region and former editor of the Asheville newspaper, “The Spectator.” Come learn about our city and region as already before the Civil War recognized for the touristic value of their remarkable natural beauty and the main town’s welcoming residents all hailed in this vividly informative book.
About the Speaker:
Elizabeth Overton Colton, Ph.D., the great-great niece of “Mountain Scenery” 1859-author, grew up in Asheville and Western North Carolina, then spent decades working and living around the world before returning now to reside in her beloved hometown and region. Liz Colton, author, Emmy Award-winning journalist who worked in all news media, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer, and later Foreign Service Officer, writing still and teaching globally for UNITAR and international universities, realizes she’s pursued some similar paths as her “Mountain Scenery” author-ancestor.
Tickets:
$10 General Admission / FREE for AMoH members. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able, please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who could not attend otherwise. Tickets are limited for in-person lectures, so don't miss your opportunity to secure a spot!
* In-Person Tickets are limited *
Become a Member:
If you wish to support the Asheville Museum of History and become a member of the museum, use the link below:
Become a Member of the Asheville Museum of History
For questions about this event:
Email education@ashevillehistory.org or call the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) at 828-253-9231.
Date & Time
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Venue Details
Asheville Museum of History
283 Victoria RoadAsheville, North Carolina 28801
