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.
Announcement:
We are here to support you with the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund, which will reimburse costs associated with visiting any of the 100+ sites/programs managed by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, including The Thomas Wolfe Memorial.
The fund reimburses:
- Transportation costs (including charter buses when needed)
- Admission or special activity fees (the Thomas Wolfe Memorial has FREE ADMISSION for all K-12 students in public, private, and registered homeschool groups)
- Substitute reimbursement when necessary for the trip
- Meals for students with financial need
- Acceptance rate for fund requests is 98%!
Learn more and apply at dncr.nc.gov/learning-happens-here-field-trip-fund
Restoration Work
We Are open!
We are operating under our normal business hours and still offering our regular guided tours.
Any potential schedule changes as a result of the work will be posted here and on social media.
Thank you!
Throughout the summer, guests to the Memorial will notice security fencing and scaffolding around the historic boardinghouse while we make repairs to damage sustained during Hurricane Helene last Fall.
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
Thomas Wolfe’s Buried Lives: A Riverside Cemetery Tour
Join us as we welcome Fall and explore portions of Riverside Cemetery, piecing together fact and fiction by highlighting many of the folks that inspired various characters in Wolfe’s works, […]
Look Homeward, Asheville: A Downtown Walking Tour Through Thomas Wolfe’s Eyes
We’re kicking off Fall by resuming our guided downtown tours! Step into the world of Thomas Wolfe with this guided walking tour through downtown Asheville- Wolfe’s hometown and the vivid […]
Thomas Wolfe’s Buried Lives: A Riverside Cemetery Tour
Join us as we explore portions of Riverside Cemetery, piecing together fact and fiction by highlighting many of the folks that inspired various characters in Wolfe’s works, as well as […]
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!
Follow Us
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
