Swannanoa
Swannanoa is located between Asheville and Black Mountain. The town is quickly becoming a prime location for those who prefer a smaller town. Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Swannanoa is named after it position on the Swannanoa River, which begins at Mount Mitchell and runs for 22 miles before entering the French Broad River in Asheville.
Swannanoa is home to one of the most unique colleges in the country: Warren Wilson College. The school provides a work program for each of its students to learn core work values and to help with the operation of the college. Each student must work 15 hours each week. In 2006, Princeton Review recognized Warren Wilson as one of the Best 361 Colleges, and U.S. News and World Report cited Warren Wilson as 38th best southern university for master’s degrees.
Warren Wilson hosts The Swannanoa Gathering, a series of workshops in folk arts. Community members can take classes in everything from basket-weaving and carving to banjo and gospel singing. The Swannanoa Gathering also sponsors a series of Celtic music concerts in the spring at Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre.
Celebrating their 39th season in 2008, the Swannanoa Chamber Players stage concerts in Swannanoa, The group is composed of professional musicians from across the country.