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:
CANCELLED – Thomas Wolfe’s Buried Lives – October 10th
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Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this Saturday evening’s “Thomas Wolfe’s Buried Lives: A Special Evening Tour of Riverside Cemetery.”
While the exact timing and amount of rain this weekend remains uncertain, the weather front moving in from Hurricane Isaias in the Gulf presents a risk we feel we simply cannot take. Even if the hardest rain arrives later than expected, forecasted showers that day will lead to wet conditions that leave the cemetery grounds muddy, slippery, and unsafe for walking. We want everyone to be able to enjoy the program safely (and dryly).
All ticket holders have been notified and will receive a full refund.
Don’t forget to check our website and social media for the other fun upcoming (and INDOORS!) events we have scheduled this Fall and Holiday Season! Thanks so much for your support and understanding!
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
CANCELLED: Thomas Wolfe’s Buried Lives: A Special Evening Tour of Riverside Cemetery
*THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED* Tickets are still available. If current ticket holders cannot come to the rescheduled tour on the 10th, please call the Memorial at 828-253-8304 for a […]
Film Screening – You Can’t Go Home Again from CBS (1979)
Join us for a special screening of “You Can’t Go Home Again” from CBS, a rare chance to experience Thomas Wolfe’s work on screen. This adaptation of the classic novel […]
From Death to Mourning: Spiritual Journeys of the Wolfe Family
Join us for this intimate, open-house style tour of the Old Kentucky Home as we explore how the Wolfe Family grappled with death, spiritualism, and mysteries of the beyond. Discover […]
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
- 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,
- A ‘Terrible and Beautiful’ Business: Wolfe Witnesses Childbirthon February 21, 2026
The Operating Room inside the Manhattan Maternity and Dispensary in NYC, courtesy of the Manhattan Maternity and Dispensary Annual ReportIn July of 1927, Wolfe visited old UNC classmate and fraternity brother Dr. J. Donald MacRae, who was interning
