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North Carolina's first lady, Mary Easley, (seen in top picture) announced at a reception at the Thomas Wolfe Visitor Center at 57 Market Street in Asheville, NC, that the State soon will be accepting bids for the restoration of the fire-damaged Thomas Wolfe House. Easley said, "It was three years ago today that an arsonist caused great damage to the historic Thomas Wolfe House, but I am happy to announce today that the State of North Carolina will be accepting bids to restore this historic treasure back to its original condition."The Thomas Wolfe House was immortalized in Thomas Wolfe's novel, "Look Homeward, Angel," and was a very popular attraction to Asheville visitors until the tragic fire on July 24, 1998, when an arsonist set a fire that partially burned both the house and its historic contents. The Thomas Wolfe House has been closed since the fire, but will now be restored after painstaking research by historic restoration consultants.
Wilma Dykeman, (seen in middle picture) an Asheville native and nationally known novelist who personally knew Thomas Wolfe, also spoke at the reception. Dykeman said, "I found Thomas Wolfe to be very attentive in a conversation. You could tell he was taking in everything you had to say, and was also observing all of your physical characteristics, particularly your facial characteristics. As you know, Thomas Wolfe was very descriptive about peoples' facial features, sometimes painfully so."
Thomas Wolfe fans from all over the world can now look forward to the restoration of the Old Kentucky Home, Wolfe's old home place. The State is scheduled to accept bids for the restoration in September, and, tentatively, projects work to begin within the next six months. (Picture of the Thomas Wolfe House provided by Thomas Wolfe Visitor Center)
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The opening speaker at the reception was North Carolina Cultural Resource Secretary Libba Evans, who said, "Restoring a fire-damaged structure is complicated. Fire, smoke and water cause hidden damage, plus, because this house is a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is an Asheville landmark, we have had to be meticulous in repairing damaged and lost details." Evans also said, "The restoration will include putting in improved climate control, added insulation, a fire sprinkler system, upgraded electrical systems, and make the first floor accessible to the handicapped."
Dykeman also added, "I spent long evenings sitting with Julia Wolfe, Tom's mother, at her home, the Old Kentucky Home, discussing life in the house where she raised Tom Wolfe and his seven brothers and sisters. I found her stories fascinating, and not unlike some of the descriptions found in Thomas Wolfe's "Look Homeward, Angel."