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local history & genealogy

The Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room collects and preserves materials about Transylvania County families, businesses, organizations, and history. The Local History staff assists with family and personal research, architectural and cultural history, and use of technology and resources.

local history resources

Local history articles as seen in the Transylvania Times.

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Direct access to Transylvania County Library photos, newspapers, scrapbooks, yearbooks, and phone directories online through Digital NC.

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Preserving landmarks and providing education on Transylvania County history.

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Explore the collection of Silversteen Family documents, photographs, letters, and more.

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Browse the index of historical documents and files in our collection.

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Browse the index of digital photos in our collection. Digital photos available for viewing on Digital NC.

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Upcoming local history events

genealogy

The world's largest online family history resource with more than 20 billion records. Available for in-library use only.

U.S. military records, including stories, photos & personal documents of men & women who served.

U.S. Federal Census records, city directories, immigration records, military records & more.

Explore genealogical & historical records with this groundbreaking digital resource devoted to African American family history research.

hot off the blog

Dig into Transylvania County’s past through the library’s Picturing the Past blog.

Aiken Family Connections

The Aikens were kin to, married to, or in business with many of the first families to settle what is now Transylvania County. One Aiken with multiple connections was Julius […]

The Monarch of Elk Park

William H. Allison, born to Alexander D.B. Allison and Eveline Lister in 1856, grew up on Beechnut Farm, where Straus Park is today. In the early 1900s Allison was given […]

Backus Lodge: Remnant of an Era

At the turn of the century, many urban industrialists were drawn to the southern Appalachian mountains as an escape from the stresses of their city lives. In 1906 one such […]

CM Doyle, Turn of the Century Hardware Man

On January 19, 1906 new advertisements began appearing in the Sylvan Valley News for Southern Stock and Farming Company of North Carolina. The company was owned by B.G. Estes of […]

212 S Gaston St, Brevard, NC 28712
828.884.3151

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Library Hours

Mon.: 9:30am – 8:00pm
Tues.: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Wed.: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Thurs.: 9:30am – 8:00pm
Fri.: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sat.: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sun.: CLOSED

NOTE: The NC Room is closed on Saturdays.