Beginning in early 1942, Axis diplomats, consular staff, and families—particularly Japanese and Germans living in Central and Latin America, along with many individuals of Japanese descent living in Hawaii—were detained in several inns or resorts in southern Appalachia and WNC. Among these facilities, many were transported to the Grove Park Inn and the Assembly Inn at Montreat. This program specifically focuses on the predominantly Japanese-American individuals detained and housed at Montreat 1942-1943 as they awaited exchange or repatriation.
About the Speaker:
Ronald Vinson has served as Executive Director of the Presbyterian Heritage Center in Montreat since 2007. The Presbyterian Heritage Center at Montreat is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization to educate (onsite and online) people about the Presbyterian and Reformed heritage, the church’s tradition of worldwide mission and the history of Montreat.
Ron has served as consultant to many museums and clients on historical projects, including:
- The Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution
- The National Center for the Study of History
- Discovery Place
- The Schiele Museum of Natural History
- Gaston County Museum of Art & History
- North Carolina Business Hall of Fame
- Centennial of Golf (Golf Magazine, PGA et al)
- Insurance Information Institute (Bicentennial of Insurance) Columbia Theological Seminary
- North Carolina Business Hall of Fame
Tickets: $5 for WNCHA members/ $10 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.
Viewing: Registrants will receive a Zoom link with which to view the program. It will also be recorded and later available on our website.
(Image: Several Japanese women and girls at Montreat, courtesy Presbyterian Heritage Center)
For questions or more information, email Trevor Freeman at [email protected]