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Description
Join the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on Tuesday, October 27th, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM via Zoom or at UNCA's Reuter Center for a special History Hour program: The History of Fred Seely's Overlook Castle, with Heath Towson.
About the History Hour Program:
While he was constructing Asheville's Grove Park Inn, Fred Seely began a construction project that enabled him to stretch his creativity: his own house. This house was unlike any other as it was modeled after a 16th-century monastery called "Forde Abbey" in England. It was constructed from the same granite as the Grove Park Inn and built at the top of Town Mountain. Seely entertained presidents and political figures at his 20,000 square foot castle when they were in town visiting Grove Park Inn. Over time, the myths and stories about Seely's Castle would grow bigger than the house itself! Join us as we explore the history of Seely's Castle and what it is used for today!
About the Speaker:
Heath Towson is an Asheville native, born in "The Land of the Sky." He runs his own tour company, Mountaineer Motor Tours, which provides tours of Asheville in a 1923 Ford Model T, step on guide services for charter bus groups, and historical speaking presentations. Towson also serves as a docent and tour guide at the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum in Historic Grovewood Village. This summer, he hosted The Motor Mile Car Show on Coxe Avenue, highlighting Asheville's early automotive history on the city's historic "Motor Mile."
Tickets:
$10 | General Admission [plus fees & taxes]
FREE | OLLI & 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 *
Online Viewing:
Registrants will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link with which to view the program. For those attending in person, see "Location & Parking" below.
Location & Parking:
Reuter Center, home of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNCA -- 300 Campus View Rd, Asheville, NC 28804
Visitor Parking is available and free (only from 5 PM- 6 AM) at the Reuter Center, BUT you must register your vehicle through UNCA's Visitor Parking webpage on the day of the event.
For questions about this event:
Email education@ashevillehistory.org or call the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) at 828.365.8479.
*This event is co-sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville*
Date & Time
Tue, Oct 27, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Venue Details
Reuter Center - UNCA/OLLI
300 Campus View RoadAsheville, North Carolina 28804
