Katy Fenn

Gilded Asheville Mini-Term, 2011

Instructors: Katy Fenn and Meredith Murphy

In 1880, the construction of a railroad reaching into the North Carolina mountains turned the western part of the state into a playground for the industrial elite. Upon visiting Asheville, NC, one of the heirs of the Vanderbilt family railroad fortune, George Washington Vanderbilt, declared that he would like to build his "little mountain escape" there. The resulting 125,000 acre estate, complete with 175,000 square-foot chateau, became a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's status at the forefront of the new American nobility. In Biltmore, he created what is still the largest private residence in the United States. What followed left the stamp of the Gilded Age culture of the robber barons on the then tiny hamlet of Asheville.

Students in "Gilded Asheville" studied a variety of primary and secondary materials to reveal the larger context of the Gilded Age and the history of Asheville and the Biltmore Estate. In addition to group discussions, students carried out individual research to illuminate a topic of their choosing in preparation for a trip to Asheville. Participants then embarked on a four day, three night trip to Asheville where they examined Biltmore Estate and other aspects of Asheville's history and architecture as relates to the Gilded Age. Other activities included visiting the archives at UNC-Asheville, a walking tour of downtown Asheville architecture, and a visit to the Grove Arcade. Upon return, students prepared a presentations to share with the NCSSM community, addressing how the Gilded Age touched Asheville and affected North Carolina. 

Find out more at the blog for this Mini-term at http://gildedasheville.blogspot.com/.

2010: WWII in Film

2009: Africa in NC (documenting African immigrants in Triangle area)

2008: Moroccan Music in NYC

2007: Vanishing Durham (documenting homelessness in Durham)

2006: Black and Gay Durham (video documentary)