African-Americans are an integral part of Western North Carolina’s cultural history, and throughout Black History Month there many interesting events and historic sites that honor and celebrate their contributions.

If you have never been, you should make a point to visit the YMI Cultural Center on the corner of Eagle and Market streets in downtown Asheville. This historic building was commissioned by George Van- derbilt and built by and for the Negro craftsmen who worked on the Biltmore House. One of YMI’s permanent exhibits, “The Urban Trail’s Age of Diversity,” reveals through pictures the important role that local African Americans played in the community.

Another is “An Unmarked Trail: Stories of African Americans in Buncombe County from 1850–1900.” This is a unique, ongoing documentation project done by local students that tells of the triumphs and struggles of the local African-American community and its many contributions to our region.

For more information on these and other exhibits, call 828.252.4614 or visit ymicc.org.