Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Thomas Wolfe Memorial. . Thomas Clayton Wolle drew from the early years of growing up here in his hometown of Asheville for inspiration throughout his literary career. Born on October 3, 1900, Wolfe was the youngest of eight children to Julia Elizabeth Wolfe, the ambitious and business-minded wife of an artistic and temperamental stonecutter, William Oliver Wolfe. Thomas Wolfe grew up in a boarding house at 48 Spruce St. run by his mother and dedicated to the tourists coming to Asheville for its scenic views and healthful air. , Based on the turbulence of his youth here in his hometown, Thomas Wolfe's 1929 novel Look Homeward, Angel, chronicled the unfolding childhood of a young boy who comes of age in a small, mountain town in the south during the early years of the 20th century. Wolfe modeled many of the more than 200 characters in the story on members of his own family and citizens of Asheville. In the story, he forever immortalized his hometown as “Altamont” and his mother's boardinghouse, Old Kentucky Home, as “Dixieland.” ,

“Dixieland was a big cheaply constructed frame house of eighteen or twenty drafty high-ceilinged rooms. It had a rambling, unplanned, gabular appearance, and was painted a dirty yellow.” – Look Homeward, Angel

, Although heralded as a critical and commercial success in literary circles, Look Homeward, Angel brought about an outpouring of anger and resentment by many in Asheville. Residents here recognized not only locations, but friends, family members and sometimes themselves as characters in the novel. Today, Look Homeward, Angel is regarded as an American classic. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial showcases the life and writing of this powerful 20th century writer. , [Captions (left to right)] , . In 1906, Mrs. Wolfe became the proprietress of the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse. Thomas Wolfe spent the formative years of his childhood here. He portrayed the house as “Dixieland” in his 1929 novel, Look Homeward, Angel. , . Look Homeward, Angel was lauded as a successful first novel. Wolfe's hometown of Asheville, however, seethed with anger over the candid and often unflattering character portrayals. , . Thomas Wolfe was exiled from Asheville for over seven years. He did not return to Asheville until 1937 when controversy over his first novel had subsided. , The North Carolina mountains and foothills were designated the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in recognition of their natural beauty and living traditions of music, craft, agriculture, and Cherokee culture. This location is part of a regional trail of distinctive heritage sites. Ask for information of area visitor centers. More Information online at: www.blueridgeheritage.com