Welcome to the
Thomas Wolfe
State Historic Site
Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)
Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and the boardinghouse in which he grew up has earned the historic home a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.
Announcements:
For Thanksgiving, “four heavy turkeys were bought and fattened for weeks: Eugene fed them with cans of shelled corn several times a day, but he could not bear to be present at their executions, because by that time their cheerful excited gobbles made echoes in his heart. Eliza baked for weeks in advance: the whole energy of the family focused upon the great ritual of the feast . . . Seated before a roast or a fowl, Gant began a heavy clangor on his steel and carving knife, distributing thereafter Gargantuan portions to each plate.”
– Look Homeward, Angel
“Freedom from Want” – Norman Rockwell; Portrait of Thomas Wolfe as featured on the Commemorative Postage Stamp, painted by Michael Deas, 2000.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Saturday:
9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays
Admission
House tours are offered daily
at half past each hour
Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm
Adult – $5 + tax
Military & Seniors (65+) – $4 + tax
Youth (3–17) – $1 + tax
2 & Under – Free
K-12 Groups – Guided tours remain free for
public, private, and registered home schools
Group tours by reservation.
Upcoming Events
Home for the Holidays: A Victorian Holiday Open House of the Old Kentucky Home
Join us for this special after-hours open house of the Old Kentucky Home as we explore Victorian Holiday traditions of the time period. Come see the home all dressed up […]
History
Learn more about the history of our site, the Wolfe Family, and Thomas Wolfe’s life and career.
Students
Check out our Historic Boardinghouse and Visitor Center activity pages, a student research project pack, and the Annual Student Writing Competition.
Teachers
Access more information on Elementary, Middle, and High School programs, and Reading and Writing Activities.
The Old Kentucky Home and Wolfe Family
1908. Courtesy of the Pack Library
Sneak Peek
Take a peek inside the Old Kentucky Home, with our Sneak Peek Preview
“From Cradle to Grave”
Downtown Walking Tour
Take a walk around downtown Asheville through Thomas Wolfe’s eyes…
Click here to access “From Cradle to Grave,” our Wolfe-themed walking tour of downtown Asheville
Follow the Memorial
For more up-to-date information on site programs and events, as well as for “behind the scenes” information on our history, artifacts and collections items, and other bits of trivia, follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
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Our Latest Articles
- Thomas Wolfe and the Lost Causeon June 25, 2025
It is a primary goal of the Memorial to keep Wolfe’s writings alive. We are actively working to tackle many topics, including those of a sensitive nature, to help fulfill this goal. Our newest blog post, “Thomas Wolfe and the Lost Cause,”
- Look Homeward, Landmark!
on June 5, 2025The Old Kentucky Home, 1908Tucked into the heart of downtown Asheville at 48 Spruce Street stands a house that might look ordinary at first glance with its gabled roof, wraparound porch, two stories of clapboard siding, and Victorian charm. But
- Thomas Wolfe’s Florida Memories
on January 12, 2023“…he lay the night-long through within his berth, watching the shadowy and phantom South flash by, sleeping at length, and waking suddenly, to see cool lakes in Florida at dawn….” Thomas Wolfe, Look Homeward, AngelCourtesy of Buncombe County
