Shiloh: A Historic African American Community in Asheville
The Shiloh Community, originally established circa 1865-1870, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited African American communities in the Asheville Area. This talk will explore the community’s origins on a small parcel of land in the area of present day Biltmore Estate and its relocation in 1889 to the current location in South Asheville. The talk will also focus on Shiloh’s relationship to the nearby African American neighborhoods of Rock Hill and Petersburg and the institutional and cultural elements that helped Shiloh grow from a sparsely populated rural area to the vibrant community that it is today.
Anita White-Carter is a retired librarian. She grew up in Shiloh and has spent most of her adult years in the community. She retired from the UNC-Asheville library after 30 years as a Public Services Librarian. She is active in the community and is currently researching the history of the neighborhood. She is a graduate of Allen High School (Asheville), Bennett College (Greensboro), and the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania).
Bobbette Kilgore Mays grew up in the Montford District in an African American community known as Stump Town. She attended Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Shiloh. Her extended family also lived in Shiloh. Bobbette graduated from Asheville High School and attended Winston-Salem State University where she studied nursing and psychology. After living in California for 14 years, she returned to Asheville and retired from the American Red Cross as a phlebotomist.
Around Here talks are free of charge and all are welcome. Complimentary coffee and cookies will be provided. The event will be held in the Ramsey Center, which is located inside Renfro Library on the campus of Mars Hill University.
For events that happen before 6pm on a weekday, please park in the lot on Bailey Street just next to the Greenway – across the street from Chambers Gym. After 6pm, visitors may park in any available green or white parking space, even if it is designated “faculty” or “students.”
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