 |
Silvermont Park & Mansion
|
364 East Main Street
Brevard, NC
28712
Phone (828) 884-3156
Phone
(828) 884-3166
Fax (828) 884-2845
|
|
|
 Amenities |
-
Silvermont Mansion
-
3 Tennis Courts
- 2
Outdoor Basketball Courts
-
Walking/Nature Trail (3/4 mile)
-
Picnic Shelter
- Gardens
of Silvermont
-
Silvermont Museum
-
Parking
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 Silvermont
Park & Mansion
Silvermont is a 33 room
Colonial Revival mansion located on an 8 acre park in
downtown Brevard. The park is operated by the
Transylvania County Parks and Recreation Department
and is open to the public seven days a week,
7am-10pm. The park features an historic
mansion, tennis and basketball courts, a nature
trail, picnic shelter, and the Gardens of
Silvermont.
History
Joseph Simpson Silversteen (1879-1958)
immigrated to the US from Russia with his family in
1887. As a young adult he moved to western
North Carolina and founded the Toxoway Tanning
Company in 1902 and the Gloucester Lumber Company in
1910. But of all of Silversteens
accomplishments, the most identifiable in the county
is the Silvermont mansion. Completed in 1917,
the home was
occupied by the family members for several decades. The
last surviving daughter, Dorothy Silversteen Bjerg,
willed the estate
to the citizens of Transylvania County in 1972 with the
stipulation that the property be used for
recreational purposes.
By 1981, the
house had deteriorated and was recommended to be
demolished. Several citizens voiced their
discontent, leading to the formation of the local
board, "Friends of Silvermont" and placement of the
home on the National Register of Historic Places.
For the last three years, Silvermont has
seen great improvements, inside and out. A
museum was established on the second floor (see
article below), gardens were created on various
parts of the property, and the facility is now home
to the Silvermont Opportunity Center.
To learn more about Silvermont Park and Mansion,
please call 884-3156.
|
|
 |
 Silvermont
Museum
The Silvermont Museum was
opened to the public in January of 2011. Behind the
efforts of volunteers Lee Stewart and Jan Osborne,
nine rooms on the second floor of the
mansion are now restored to reflect the lifestyle
and times of the Silversteen family.
The museum includes a photo gallery of family
members taken in the early
20th century, original furniture, and many other
authenic items from that time period.
The Silvermont Museum is
open to the public, free of charge, the 3rd Friday
of each month (March to October), from 2pm-4pm.
Private tours can also be arranged by calling (828)
884-3166. The second floor is not handicapped
accessible.
|
|
 The
Gardens of Silvermont
The Transylvania
County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGV)
opened the Gardens of Silvermont in 2011. The
gardens, located behind the mansion and the carriage
house, have three distinct areas, an herb garden, a
vegetable garden, a woodland garden, and a rain
garden.
With the support of local businesses and
volunteers, the EMGV members were able to construct
the gardens at a minimal cost. To learn more
about EMGV program or to become a volunteer, please
call the Cooperative Extension at (828) 884-3109.
The Silvermont estate also features the "Walk of
History" gardens, which runs parallel to Main
Street. Visitors are able to observe many of
our native species of plants as well as ldiscover
our county's dynamic past. Signs located
throughout the garden denote periods of history and
identify trees, such as the the laurel,
serviceberry, and the dogwood. The spring
features the beautiful blooms of over 2000
daffodils. The "Walk of History" was organized
and led by the efforts of Brevard resident Jane
Shiley.
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
Rental
Information
The first floor of the
Silvermont Mansion can be leased for
special events, such as weddings,
reunions, civic meetings, and a
number of activities. The
first floor includes the following:
♦
2500 square feet (approx.)
♦Tables & Chairs for 60
people
♦Full kitchen
♦Restrooms (ADA)
♦Parking (60
paved spaces)
FACILITY RULES
& RENTAL INFO
To reserve
Silvermont Mansion, please call
884-3156.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Activities and Events at Silvermont
♦Silvermont Opportunity
Center
♦Transylvania Tennis
♦Mountain
Music
|
|
|
 |
Links
The following is a list of links to
programs and organizations that
associated with Silvermont.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
