25 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE 

                                 GALA EVENT

Plaque Attached to The Old Depot

The Old Depot Association of Black Mountain celebrated its twenty-five years of service to the Swannanoa Valley. This first event of the celebration was held as a  Gala Dinner on April 26, 2001, at the Assembly Inn at Montreat, NC. The evening began at 6:00 p.m. with a social hour in the lounge, during which hammered dulcimer music was provided by Susan Weatherford. Dinner was  served at 7:00. Following the dinner, there was a brief program which included the honoring of some of the founders, early board members and committee members of the Old Depot Association, a brief history of the association, the story of the train in Black Mountain (past and future!), and dedication of a plaque which was later placed on the outside wall of the Depot. 

 

The first meeting of The Old Depot Association was in April, 1976, when a group of concerned citizens began their work to "save" the Old Depot building from destruction, following the end of passenger rail service to Black Mountain (the last regular passenger train was in 1975). Since that first meeting the organization has grown, and now has two primary goals: (1) to maintain the Old Depot building, and (2) to support the arts (with an emphasis on mountain arts and crafts) in our local schools and community. The Old Depot Gallery is a showcase and consignment sale location for artisans from all of Western North Carolina, providing an outlet for their handiwork, and income for the non-profit Association. A number of well-known artists and crafters in the area got their start at The Old Depot!

Some of the financial achievements of the Association are impressive: Since 1991 over $90,000 has "gone into" the community, including maintenance of the Depot building, establishment of a photo museum in the Caboose, construction of the Caboose stage which is used for our festivals as well as many community events, arts and crafts classes held at the Depot, and substantial contributions to special arts programs and activities in all our schools. In the past ten years alone, consignment payments to our crafters have amounted to over $500,000 !!!

We hope you will come by the Old Depot Gallery sometime during this year -- to purchase some of the fine arts and crafts on display there.

After 25 years, some of the Original Members of The Old Depot Association Meet together for the Gala Event

They are from left to right:  Alice Turner, Edie Jackson, Lillian Reynolds, Betty Tyson,  Sefton Abbot.

 

 

 

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