Speaker: Anne Chesky Smith

Anne Chesky Smith holds MA degrees in Appalachian Studies and Cultural Anthropology. She has served as Executive Director of the WNC Historical Association in Asheville since January 2020. She is the treasurer for The Railroad Incarcerated Laborer (RAIL) Memorial Project.

Cullowhee Tunnel Disaster

On December 30, 1882, 19 men died by drowning constructing the Cowee Tunnel for the WNC Railroad.  They were all African-American, convict labor, and chained together. Join us as we acknowledge the early work of Gary Carden followed by the Western North Carolina Historical Association to renew the … read more.