Examples of documents in the Silversteen Family Collection  include sheet music with words by Adelaide Van Wey and music by Brevard native, Donald Lee Moore.

Picturing
the Past typically features photographs from the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room collection at the Transylvania County Library.  In addition to photographs the North Carolina
Room has books, microfilm, oral histories, postcards, periodicals, newsletters,
scrapbooks, and archival files.

Over the
next few weeks some of the larger document collections will be featured in this column.  Although these materials are not available
online, patrons are invited to view them in the North Carolina Room.  The items have been organized and indexed
through many hours of work by staff and volunteers.  In some cases the materials have also been
scanned. 

They include
the Silversteen Family Collection, Friends of DuPont Forest information,
Horsepasture River Conservation materials, early Lake Toxaway land development
records, scrapbooks from local communities and organizations, and more.

The Silversteen family was fundamental
to enterprise and the civic arena in Transylvania County during the early part
of the 20th century.  The Silversteen Family
Collection contains property deeds, legal papers, stock certificates, newspaper
articles, handwritten notes, correspondence, awards, honors, certificates,
programs, research notes, photographs, invitations, speech notes, and reports
related to family members and their entrepreneurial and civic
activities.

One of the numerous business documents in the Silversteen Family Collections.

Other related collections pertain to the
formation of the town of Rosman, Joseph Silversteen’s businesses (Gloucester
Lumber, Rosman Tanning and Extract, Toxaway Tanning), organizations (Daughters
of the American Revolution, Red Cross), the professional achievements of
Adelaide Van Wey as a performer, and the construction of their Brevard residence,
Silvermont.  Contemporary content
includes information on the restoration of Silvermont and the Silvermont House
Museum.

As
Silvermont celebrates its 100^th anniversary during 2017 this is
perfect opportunity to learn more about a family that was instrumental in the
economic development of Transylvania County.  Visit the North Carolina Room at the Library
to research, browse, or view photographs.

The
Silvermont House Museum, located at 364 E. Main St., consists of nine rooms on
the second floor.  Rooms are set-up to
reflect the Silversteen’s life and home. 
It is open on the third Friday of each month, March to October,
between the hours of 2 pm – 4 pm.  Special tours can be arranged by
contacting the Transylvania County Parks & Recreation Department
at 828-884-3156.

As the Chairman of the American Red Cross Civilian Relief for Transylvania County Mrs. Silversteen assisted family members of local soldiers during WWI.

The
Transylvania Heritage Museum is currently hosting “The Silversteen Legacy”
exhibit, telling the story of the Silversteen family and their involvement in
Transylvania County.  The Museum is open
Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm. 
It is located at 189 W. Main St.

Photographs
and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit
the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about
our history and see additional photographs. 
For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at [email protected] or 828-884-1820.