Smith-McDowell House

Smith-McDowell House 
 
 

 
 
 
 


On the campus of AB-Tech, in Asheville, N.C., sits a historic house that has survived more than  170 years of change around it. It is the oldest mansion in Western North Carolina, built on a plot of land given to Daniel Smith after the Revolutionary War, and later built by Daniel's son, James, circa 1840. This beautiful brick mansion with walls "12-20 inch thick," was built in the Federal style which is still evident from the outside, but inside, the house still holds much of the Federalist style mixed with Victorian and Neoclassical, but some of the most interesting items in the home include original family pieces (including Daniel Smith's 7 foot long rifle used at King's Mountain during the Revolutionary War) but also stories of people from the past that have helped preserve the home for all to admire.

History of  the Smith McDowell House

Fireplace in 1850s room

Upon entering the Smith McDowell House, guests are greeted and given a brief presentation on the history of the 1st three owners, the Smith's, McDowell, and Garrett's. James, and  his wife, Polly, Smith had the house built of brick, which is thought to have been brought up from Charleston but could have been made in the mountains, in the 1830s. James Smith was a successful businessman, he owned the Buck Hotel, a tannery, tavern, general store, plantations, had a monopoly on the only toll bridge along the "Dovers Road," and even owned a gold mind in upstate Georgia with his business partner, William Wallace McDowell.

William Wallace McDowell became James Smith's son-in-law after marrying their daughter Sarah, and one of the wedding gifts received was a mahogany side board which is in the house to this day and one of the many family and period donated items. After the death of James Smith, his son, John received the house and land but died a year later and upon his death, the McDowell bought the house and continued to live there throughout the Civil War.

After the Civil War the McDowell's, like much of the south, were suffering economically and ended up selling the house and 15 acres to the Garrett Family from St. Louis. The McDowell's continued to live in the area, but the Garrett's, whose daughter-in-law suffered from tuberculosis, were the owners of the house, and founded the community known as "Victoria" and even became the mayor of the town.

McDowells sewing kit and gun

After the Garrett's, came the Van Bergen's who had the famous American landscaper, Fredrick Olmstead, Jr., to make plans to the surrounding property that included a carriage house and all was completed with the help of, Richard Morris Hunt . Unfortunately, the carriage house and much of what was changed is no longer on the property, but there are photos from the turn of the 20th century of children in the Spring enjoying the outside air in front of the carriage house and a well groomed flower garden.



1870s room

The next family to own the home was the McKee's, and not much is really known except they were very prominent and friends with the Vanderbilt's, and on the table in the entry way is a picture from the early 20th century of 2 women in what look like wedding dresses, but it is the McKee women in the dresses they wore when being presented at English court to Queen Victoria.

Dining Room

The early 20th century had its share of well-known who owned and made changes to the house. Brewster Chapman, a well known "playboy," had the side driveway entrance added to the house and his corn liquor bottle from 1913, is still on display in the dining room. Herman Gudger, WWI vet and Goldwyn Meyer CEO, owned the home for a while and in 1951, the house became a Catholic Boys Boarding School, then later turned into Wachovia, until AB Tech College came along in the 1970s. Thankfully, with the help of descendants, donors, and preservationists, the house was not demolished and it is now part of the Western N.C. Historical Association and preserved for all to see.

Touring the Smith McDowell House

Before taking a tour, self-guided or guided, take a moment to enjoy the architect, the arch over the dining room from the side entrance, the stairs with the landing, and maybe enjoy taking a walk into the solarium and viewing one of the many exhibitions featured. Each room is numbered by date, 1840 to 1890, and focuses on that time period. The tour begins in the 1840s room, the winter kitchen.

Like many plantation homes, the kitchen was built separate from the house, not connected until the late 1800s, but in the winter, the house would benefit from the heat rising up. Also, each room has a hands-on activity, for example the kitchen has smell and match spices (great for kids). From the kitchen one can go upstairs to view Daniel Smith's rifle, made in the 18th century in England, and William Wallace McDowell's sword from the Civil War, as well as the first dollar James Smith earned. In the 1850s room, notice the quilts, there are some from the 1830s and 1840s, and the shaving kit is a donation from the family. The next room, 1860s, features William McDowell, he organized the Buncombe County Rifleman, and his sewing kit and revolver used in the war is one of the many features. Finally, upstairs, is the 1870s room and is decorated with porcelain dolls, a quilt that has ribbons and hair sewn into it, and other features from the time period.

Before leaving the upstairs, notice the original oak floor which was left exposed on purpose during renovations at the urn of the 20th century. At the bottom of the staircase is the 1880s parlor and not only are there period view finders but also a working organ from the 1910's. Finally, the tour ends at the dining room, where the mahogany side board and Chapman's corn whiskey bottle are featured.

Chapman's whiskey bottle

While touring, enjoy the stories and the information of the house. That is what preserving history is about, the stories. Every person who lived in this home had a story to tell and thanks to donations and support of WNCHA, as well as the generosity of AB Tech, the Smith McDowell Mansion is able to keep the story of a long gone era alive in Asheville.

Christmas Events at the Smith McDowell House

Nov. 18th to Jan. 3, is Christmas Traditions Tours and guests will learn Christmas stories throughout the time periods featured in the home, including the story of why peacock feathers became a popular decoration and the evolution of the Christmas Stocking.

December 3rd and 4th, 6:00 to 8:30PM, Christmas Twilight Tours (Reservations Required), come hear professional and local musicians bring the house alive with the sounds of the season. Arrive 15 minutes early to enjoy light refreshments and a warm drink before taking a tour and hearing Christmas stories from the 19th century. Reservations are required, this tour is not handicap accessible, and reservations can be made by phone (828) 253-9231 or at, http://www.wnchistory.org/calendar.html. Groups are limited to 10 people.