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:
Step into History This Holiday Season
Join us for the “Home for the Holidays: A Victorian Holiday Open House of the Old Kentucky Home.” Experience the warmth and charm of Holiday traditions in Thomas Wolfe’s world. Come see the home all dressed up in its Christmas finest! Guests will walk through the boardinghouse at their leisure to view this pop-up Holiday Traditions exhibit.
Enjoy holiday crafts, our exhibit hall, Christmas cookies, and hot chocolate station!
Last admittance into the house is 6:45pm.
$10 per person – purchase tickets HERE.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Saturday:
9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays
Admission
House tours are offered Tuesday – Saturday
at half past each hour
Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm
Adult – $8 + tax
Military & Seniors (65+) – $7 + tax
Youth (3–17) – $1 + tax
2 & Under – Free
K-12 Groups – Guided tours remain free for
public, private, and registered home schools
Visa and Mastercard only
Group tours by reservation.
Upcoming Events
Home for the Holidays: A Victorian Holiday Open House of the Old Kentucky Home
Step into History This Holiday Season Join us for the “Home for the Holidays: A Victorian Holiday Open House of the Old Kentucky Home.” Experience the warmth and charm of […]
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
- When Life Gives You Kerosene: How Julia Wolfe Rebuilt the Family Home in Five Weeks
on October 16, 2026As Thomas Wolfe well knew based on his immense amount of detailed writing, the best and most fascinating stories are often about ordinary people and how they navigate through the sometimes unique and challenging circumstances of life.Asheville
- Summer Intern Spotlight at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial: Ayden Basinger
on August 13, 2026Ayden Basinger in front of the Old Kentucky Home BoardinghouseHello! My name is Ayden Basinger. This summer, I spent two and a half months interning here at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial. Today I want to take the opportunity to talk about my experiences
- The House at 92 Woodfin: Spoiler Alert- It Was Julia’s House All Along
on March 28, 2026The House at 92 Woodfin, ca 1883. Unknown man standing in front, and possibly Mrs. Allen, Cynthia Wolfe’s mother, standing on front porch.By late 1879/early 1880, William Oliver Wolfe (WO) moved from Raleigh to Asheville with his second wife,
