Buncombe County -- April 20, 2026: The barns, backroads, and kitchen-table memories of Leicester, Sandy Mush, and the French Broad townships are finally taking center stage. Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC) and the Leicester Branch Library have officially launched the Leicester History Project, a digital archive designed to ensure the rural voice of Western North Carolina is preserved for generations.
Bridging the Gap in Local History
While the county’s archives are vast, stories from our more rural corners have often remained sparse. This project aims to change that by working directly with community members to grow a collection that truly reflects the region's heritage.
"At the library we get to meet so many of the interesting people who live in Leicester and the surrounding communities, and they all have stories to tell," said Anna Booraem, Leicester Branch Manager. "Whether they grew up here with generations of family around them or moved here three years ago from out of state, they all share a love for this community and the land they live on."
How You Can Contribute
The project is looking for more than just dusty documents; it wants the living history of the area. Submissions are open to anyone, whether it’s a personal story, photographs, a video, or an audio file—all submissions will be considered.
View the Collection: Explore current photos, scrapbooks, and memoirs at www.leicesternc.omeka.net.
Share Your Story: You can submit your own materials directly via the contribution portal at leicesternc.omeka.net/contribution.
Volunteer: Community volunteers are needed to collect and share oral histories, digitize historical images, and offer items of their own to the collection.
Kick-Off Event
Members of the public are invited to the official kick-off to learn more about participating and supporting the project.
What: Leicester History Project Kick-Off Event
When: Saturday, May 9, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Leicester Branch Library (1561 Alexander Rd., Leicester)
Features: Light refreshments, activities, music, and digitization opportunities.
Special Collections Manager Katherine Cutshall is already seeing the impact of the project's early phases. “It has been wonderful seeing the outpouring of community support for the project during the planning stage,” she said. “I’m excited to see how this community-driven project grows and develops in the coming months.”
For more information about the project and how to get involved, visit www.specialcollections.buncombenc.gov/leicester-history-project.
Image: Image attached is courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections
Formal portrait of the Leicester and Sara (nee, Carpenter) Chapman Family