Asheville – The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County has been actively supporting those with historic houses in the community. In speaking with Jessie Landl, Executive Director, she spoke of the many avenues their organization has taken to aid homeowners and businesses to save and restore their damaged property. The Preservation Society has tried very hard to get the requested funds to those receiving grants quickly, so they can start their drying out and restoration process immediately. Most of all she is proud of the fact that the Preservation Society has been able to give numerous preservation grants from $500-$5000 for properties roughly 50 years or older. Special priority was given to help keep people in their homes.
Before the storm the Society had $50,000 available to grant with $18,000 already spoken for, but thanks to generous donors, such as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, that increased to $100,000 and then $150,000. As of today, Nov. 18th, it has just increased to $200,000. The grant committee reviews the grant application and then determines the amount to be given. Jessie emphasized that she wanted to get these grants into the hands of owners as soon as possible. Although the amount would most probably not be enough to cover the total cost of repairs, it would be a start, which they would receive immediately.

Six historic buildings in Biltmore Village, including the Gardener’s Cottage, Bette Boutique and Casablanca Cigar Bar, have each been approved for a $5,000 Bricks and Mortar Preservation Grant for severe flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The Riverview Station in the River Arts District has also been approved to receive a $5,000 grant. Prior to the storm, this building was home to more than 60 artists, craftspeople, entrepreneurs, and Café Yuzu. A total of ten homeowners, including five in Beacon Village in Swannanoa, have been approved to receive $5,000 to address severe flooding damage to their historic homes. With so much damage throughout Western North Carolina, applications are coming in at an unprecedented rate, and the Preservation Society is VERY close to exhausting funds for the current grant round. They will still be accepting any applications they receive, which will be kept on file in the event that additional funding is secured for another grant round. Specific requirements for a historic grant application can be found at psabc.org or email jessie@psabc or call 727 560-6311.
If someone needs a generator and/or dehumidifiers to mitigate water damage in a historic structure, immediate assistance will be considered without the need to apply for a grant. Please make your request directly to jessie@psabc.org. So far approximately 25 to 30 have been given out, sometimes on a rotating basis thus being returned if it is no longer needed. The Douglas Ellington house in Chunns Cove reached out after flooding led to mold, and the Preservation Society was able to help them.
Specific advice on Drying Out Historic Buildings can be found on the PSABC website (psabc.org) as well as other avenues for finding advice and resources to help owners of historic buildings with damage. The list suggests 14 areas to address when dealing with flood damage. The top two are Prioritizing Safety Precautions and Making a Plan. Additional Preservation Resources to turn to for help are the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, the North Carolina Historic Resilience Project, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Main Street America, and the National Park Service.
The Time Travel Gala
This year the major fund raising event for the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County was scheduled for September 28th. Naturally it had to be canceled. It was to be held at a new venue—In the Oaks in Black Mountain. As we all know, Hurricane Helene was reaching Western North Carolina and Appalachia just at that time, knocking out electricity, rivers starting to flood, trees toppling over and roads collapsing. It was a great disappointment to have to cancel this major fundraising for PSABC, but Mother Nature gave the organizers no choice. Refunds for tickets of course were given, with some kindly just donating the amount to PSABC, and obligations paid.
Plans are being made for a Time Travel Gala to take place in May of next year in the massive Tudor style country manor In the Oaks. Guests will be greeted with a glass of bubbly and a trolley ride to Black Mountain. There, they can step back in time while exploring this massive estate. There will be a speakeasy atmosphere with a live jazz band in the Music Room or dancing the night away in the Gymnasium. Small groups of 10-12 guests will be led on guided tours of the swimming pool and the storied Dutch Room. It is more important than ever to show your support, dedication and sponsorship for all that the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County has done during this difficult time for so many. Be sure to sign up for next year’s Time Travel Gala.