Thomas Wolfe Memorial Prepares to Welcome Visitors Following Hurricane Helene Damage and Closure

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site will reopen to the public on Tuesday, Dec. 10, more than two months after the site was forced to close in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

A 120-year-old silver maple tree fell against the "Old Kentucky Home" during the storm, causing minor damage to the structure and cracking plaster inside the house. Once the tree was removed from the historic home, officials with State Historic Sites assessed the damage and made repairs. The house is now safe for visitors and has been cleared to reopen for tours.

"We have truly missed our visitors and are so grateful to everyone who called and emailed to check on our staff and volunteers during the closure," said Site Manager Kayla Seay. "We feel extremely fortunate that we can serve the community once again."

The site's reopening is a promising sign of progress in the devasted region of Western North Carolina. However, staff at the Memorial encourage visitors to plan trips to the area thoughtfully and with the knowledge that many residents and businesses in the community are still healing, rebuilding, and recovering.

When planning a trip, travelers are advised to access the Visit NC travel update page, as well as Explore Asheville's website for the latest information on openings, closures, and accessible roadways in the area. The NC Disaster Relief Fund continues to collect donations for those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The site will resume regular operating hours, which are Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The site is closed Sundays, Mondays, and most major holidays. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial is devoted to interpreting the life, literature and times of Thomas Wolfe using his mother's boardinghouse, known as the "Old Kentucky Home" and his novel, "Look Homeward, Angel." The site is located at 52 N. Market St., in downtown Asheville. To learn more, please visit http://www.historicsites.nc.gov/wolfe or call 828-253-8304.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.