Weaverville – Benefactors of Weaverville’s Dry Ridge Museum, Anna Ramsey and Jim Van Story, have a storied past with the Dry Ridge Museum. Two decades ago, they both gave and loaned the museum artifacts, including local and Indian pottery, as well as Indian artifacts gathered in Buncombe and Madison counties for special exhibits.
Prior to the Grand Opening of the museum in the New Community Center at Lake Louise, Anna gave the museum a five-figure donation of artifacts from the estate of Jim Van Story.
Anna donated a schoolhouse bell originally from the Van Story property on the North Carolina coast, which was Jim’s ancestral home. The bell was brought to WNC by his parents, who established The Rest-A-Whyle Inn on Hamburg Mountain from 1915-1940. It was used to alert the clients to important events, such as the approaching arrival of Trolley #4 from Asheville. On April 20, 2024, at 11 am, the bell will be placed in its final location outside the Dry Ridge Museum and dedicated to its benefactors, Jim Van Story and Anna Ramsey. All are welcome.
Jim Van Story was injured in a fall in 2015, and for the next five years, Anna was his faithful nurse until his death in 2020. Anna wishes to thank the special people who aided in Jim’s care, including her daughter Ann Washabaugh, Jerry Israel, Mitch Clevenger, Randy and Terra Edmonds, Mike and Vivian Bateman, Tom Bailey, Joe and Anzie Rice. All of them were always there, as well as Pastor Louis Grant, who provided spiritual encouragement and assistance. Others who are not mentioned are wished karma.
Editor’s Note: Lawrence is the Dry Ridge Museum Director Emerita.