This set of 30 foam boards tells the impact of immigrants (forty families from five continents) on the fabric of daily life in Buncombe County. Told through the stories of immigrants who established businesses in Western North Carolina since the early 1800's, students learn geography skills, economic understanding, historical analysis, and many life lessons of human perseverance. To reserve this exhibit, at no charge—a month-long "Hallway Field Trip," contact The Center for Diversity Education.
Some of the stories include:
James Patton emigrated from Ireland and was of Scottish descent. He arrived in Asheville in 1811, to found the Eagle Hotel and later the Buncombe Turnpike.
Edward Stephens, who emigrated from the West Indies, via St. Louis, became the first principal of Catholic Hill School and the first executive director of the YMI. Stephens-Lee High School was so named in his honor.
Enka Plant, was named for the Dutch company Eenste Nedarlandsche Kunstzijdefabriek in Arnheim, Netherlands, which started the first rayon processing plant in America. This small community in Hominy Valley eventually became home to over 3,000 workers from all over the mountain region.
Martin and Maria Jemenez emigrated from Mexico to join family members operating six El Chapalla restaurants. The restaurants are named for a lake near their home town of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Coming to the Mountains is accompanied by a reproducible student booklet (see sample left of page eight from the booklet) that includes a note to parents making the connection between community, school, and home complete. For those who wish, an hour-and-a-half staff development program is available for $150 and includes teacher packets for each participant (maximum 40).
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Here are some web links of further interest to the study of immigration:
U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization
Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty National Park
The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus
Immigrants Hall of Fame
Notable Immigrants
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
