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June 2018 Volume 16

Henderson County Heritage Museum

Inside this issue:

Memorial Day Celebration

1-

2

New Museum Supervisor Eric Gilliland

3

Volunteer Spotlight Aaron Swift

4

Moonshine Bear 6

New Display on Historic 7th Avenue

7

Terry Ruscin’s Upcoming Book

8

Themis Atop the Courthouse

9

Pork Chop Hill Hero Clemons Dies

10

Heather Adams Book Signing

11

Local Veteran’s 100th Birthday

12

Lego Displays 14

MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE TO

VETERANS

Memorial Day Tribute

Continued on page 2.

Top photo-Guest Speaker Dorothy Managan, a World

War II nurse, aided by her

daughter, Frances, brought a great message to the

occasion. Bottom photo-We were all

wowed by the Viva Voce Girls’ Ensemble, led by Shelley Baluch,

who gave us patriotic song

selections. They were excellent.


A visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth, and

meaning in our lives. Go to museums as often as you can. -

Maira Kalman

MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION CONTINUED

Top Left: Henderson

County Honor Guard

Posting the Colors

despite being rained

on.

Bottom Left :

Shuford Edmiston

spoke briefly about

what Memorial Day

stands for.

Bottom Right:

Carolyn Justus

presented guest

speaker Dorothy

Managan with flowers

and cookies after the

event.

Mike Murdock led

participants in the

Pledge of Allegiance

and Sheriff Charlie

McDonald opened

the event with a

prayer for veterans

everywhere.


NEW WEEKDAY MUSEUM SUPERVISOR - ERIC gILLILAND

The Museum welcomes a new weekday museum supervisor, Eric Gilliland. Previously a customer service representative at the Hospice Home Store and worker at the Hendersonville Library, the museum is a much better fit for Eric, whose interests lie in history and genealogy. A 6th generation descendant of John Merrell, Henderson County Revolutionary War Patriot, a lifelong resident of Edneyville and graduate of Edneyville High School, Eric’s roots in this county run deep. Eric earned an associates degree from Blue Ridge Community College in Electronics. Eric said, “My first days have been amazing. I've met some wonderful volun-teers who truly care about the community.”

Don’t forget the Ice Cream Social hosted by the Heritage

Museum, in front of the

Historic Courthouse,

immediately following the

4th of July Parade.


SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS

Present at nearly every Tar Heel Junior

Historian meeting since it was formed;

Helping at almost every Heritage Museum

event; Assisting in writing the Opoly book;

Volunteering to man the booth selling Opoly

games for Christmas at the Curb Market;

Riding on the Museum float with Big Jim in

the 4th of July Parade… there is no volunteer who gives as much time and

energy to our museum as Aaron Swift.

Aaron comes from a family with generations

in Henderson County— names like Swift,

King, Stepp, Morgan, Dean

and Justus. His

grandparents Justus both

served the State of North

Carolina in the General

Assembly and his

grandmother, Carolyn

Justus, is the Chair of the

Board of Directors.

Chess may be his favorite

thing to do around school

but, scholastically, he is also a high achiever,

winning the Patsy Farmer Jones North

Carolina History Award at Hendersonville

Elementary School in 2017. Aaron is also an

active member of the Boy Scouts of

America.

Aaron can often be found helping at the

Heritage Museum and his favorite part is still

“The Golden Age: Coming of the Railroad” display by the Apple Valley Model Railroad

(Photo Above) Aaron in red shirt at Tar Heel Junior

Historian meeting.

(Photo Above) Aaron in red shirt and hat, Ye

Ole Christmas 2015 celebration. Rescue Exhibit Opening August 2017

Opoly Launch August 2016


Club in the Bo Thomas Room just past the gift

shop.

Aaron doesn’t have to look far for a role model; his dad is it for him, and he comes from a family

with many talents, achievements, and

contributions.

Thank you, Aaron, for all your volunteer hours

and for helping to carry the museum into

the future.

(Photo Above) Ice Cream Social, July 2017; (Photo Right) Aaron the Christmas Elf

(Photo Below) Aaron, Knox Crowell and Jim the Pig, July 4th Parade

(Photo Below) Winning the Patsy Farmer Jones North Carolina History Award Hendersonville

Elementary School in 2017.

Volunteering to man the booth selling Opoly games for

Christmas at the Curb Market.


Check us

out on

Facebook!

MUSEUM SPONSOR BEARFOOTIN’ BEAR

Moonshine Bear was revealed on May 11th at the Big Bear Reveal in downtown Hendersonville. He currently resides at the corner of the courtyard in front of the Historic Courthouse. Sponsored by the Heritage Museum, painted by Don and Phoebe Blackwell, and themed by the Board of Directors, he was a big hit. One of 21 bears designed this year for the Bearfootin’ Art Walk of Hendersonville, he will be auctioned on October 20th, 2018 in front of the Historic Courthouse. Live music will begin at 3pm and the auction will begin at 5. If you intend to bid on Moonshine, you must register and that also begins at 3pm.


NEW DISPLAY ON 7TH AVENUE

Come see our new display chronicling some of the history

of Historic 7th Avenue.


TERRY RUSCIN AUTHOR BOOK

RELEASE AND SIGNING EVENT

COMING IN AUGUST

SOON TO BE RELEASED: A new Images of America book about Henderson County, North Carolina

Terry Ruscin’s new book will feature 240 photographs, many of them never-before published. Subjects include long-gone businesses and buildings, and long-forgotten residents who helped shape the character of Henderson County. From its inception, the county has supported a melting pot

of cultures, talents and disciplines—a heritage diverse and vibrant. Denizens of the county have included all, from Revolutionary War patriots, renowned architects, and tycoons to moon-shiners, granny doctors, and inventors—and even a famous hog. The book takes in all sectors of the county including Big Willow, Gerton, Bat Cave, Middle Fork, Mills River, Shaws Creek, Horse Shoe, Etowah, East Flat Rock, Mountain Page, Mace-donia and more. Have you heard of the Dry Hill School? Honeymoon Cottage? The House of Seven Gables? The Poorhouse? The Smellin’ Machine? Happy Hollow? The book includes these, plus aerial overviews, bygone hotels and inns, houses of worship, schoolhouses, post offices, depots, fire departments, general stores, mills, moonshiners, fires, and the earliest buildings on Henderson-ville’s Main Street. And the book pays homage to the county’s early merchants, authors and historians, educators, businesswomen and people of color. Ruscin amassed the images, collected door-to-door, borrowed from old family albums and attics, shoe boxes, private archives—some of them never having seen the light of day since they were last viewed many decades ago. Then countless hours were spent scanning the origi-nal photographs, and retouching the cracks, tears, wrinkles and foxing that many times plague antique images. Terry Ruscin, a member of the Henderson County Historic Resources Commission and fre-quent lecturer, has written several books on the history and heritage of Western North Caroli-na. He also pens the monthly history column “Beyond the Banks” for the Hendersonville Times-News. Stay tuned for details on the book’s release date in August 2018 at the Henderson County historic courthouse where the board of the Heritage Museum will launch the new title. Ruscin will present a program and will be on hand to answer questions and sign copies of his new book.


ATTENTION HENDERSON

COUNTY GIRL SCOUTS

The Museum is now working on a Girl Scout patch program which will be coming in September this year. If you are a Girl Scout, you will then be able to earn a colorful badge from the museum you can wear with pride.

If you are not a Girl Scout, but from another children/youth organization, and would like to participate in a museum patch program, please contact the museum and we will work with you. Contact email: [email protected]

THEMIS by Terry Ruscin

Originally sheathed in copper paint, the galvanized tin dome atop the historic Henderson County courthouse sports a statue of Themis, the Greek goddess of divine justice and law and the mother of the fates. From her lofty perch for more than 100 years, Themis has watched the evolution of Henderson County, North Carolina. In 1987, city leaders set forth a provision that no structure can be taller than the dome of the historic courthouse. Louise H. Bailey once wrote (in her foreword to Terry Ruscin’s book, Hendersonville & Flat Rock: An Intimate Tour), “Few people notice, but the statue of ‘Lady Justice’ on the courthouse dome is said to be one of only three in the entire United States missing an important item. Terry Ruscin was quick to recognize that the blindfold the statue is supposed to be wearing is missing.”

(Photograph by the author.)

HENDERSON COUNTY ALWAYS UNIQUE


TIMES NEWS/BLUE RIDGE NOW May 19, 2018. Col. Joseph Gordon Clemons

Jr. Joseph Gordon Clemons Jr., Colonel U.S. Army-Retired, age 90, died peacefully at

home in Hendersonville, NC on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on

April 30, 1928, and reared in Plant City, Florida, he was the son of the late, Mary

Florence Burke Clemons and Joseph Gordon Clemons. In addition to his parents, he

was preceded in death by his only brother, Kenneth Richard Clemons, TSRG, U.S.

Marine Corps. He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and joined the U.S.

Army Air Corps, which later became the U.S. Air Force. As an enlisted man, he com-

peted for an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, suc-

cessfully entering in 1948. After graduating eighth in his class in 1951, on September

5, 1952, he married the love of his life, Cecil Bealer Russell in the Fort Meyer Chapel,

Ft. Meyer, VA., where her father, Army Major Walter B. Russell, was stationed. Dur-

ing a multifaceted military career, he held commands with K Company, 1st Infantry

Regiment, and the 198th Infantry Regiment. As a critical commander in the Korean War battle of Pork Chop Hill,

he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star. Gregory Peck played the role of Col. Joseph

G. Clemons in the film "Pork Chop Hill," which was released in 1959. In 1969, Col. Joseph G. Clemons returned

to combat duty in the Vietnam War and was noted for his innovative use of helicopters to support combat, medi-

cal resupply, and evacuation. In one mission, he landed to assist an isolated unit and directed that his personal pilot

evacuate the wounded, while he remained and directed fire support. For that action, he received the Bronze Star

with V device for Valor. He served in the military from 1946 until his retirement in 1977. In 1999, he was entered

into the Ranger Hall of Fame; in 2000, made a member of the U.S. Legion of Valor; and in 2007, he was recog-

nized as a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. A master parachutist as well as a

skilled skydiver, Col. Joseph G. Clemons skippered his 44-foot yawl from California to Hawaii with his wife, son,

and brother-in-law in 1977. In his private yacht delivery service, he enjoyed delivering boats not only across the

Pacific but to any destination requested. He also enjoyed flying his classic WWII Navions until he was in his early

80s. After retiring and continuing to live in Hawaii for almost 20 years, Joe and Cecil relocated to Hendersonville

in 1988, where Cecil and her family lived when she was a child. As an active parishioner at St. James Church of

Hendersonville, he served as Senior Warden, co-founded the Intercessory Prayer Team, as well as started the Sun-

day transportation team which continues today. He also volunteered hundreds of hours with the Meals on Wheels

program in Henderson County. He was married to Cecil Bealer Russell Clemons for 65 years. The couple had

three children; Michael Joseph Clemons of Macon, GA, Susannah Russell Clemons formerly of Kailua, Hawaii and

currently residing in Hendersonville and Joseph Gordon Clemons III, and his wife, Elizabeth of Luxembourg, EU;

ten grandchildren: Charles Joseph Clemons, Russell Joseph Clemons, Jan Stewart Shultis, Makana Akua Clemons,

Leigh Kulani Shultis, Kalani Shultis, Katherine R. Clemons, Kimberly R. Clemons, Abigail E. Clemons, Gordon P.

"Mac" Clemons; as well as three great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May

22, 2018 at St. James Church officiated by the Reverend Christiana Olsen. Burial with full military honors will be

held in the Russell Family Cemetery in Russell, Georgia on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. officiated by Rev-

erend William Russell and Reverend Montgomery Russell. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the

Armed Forces Retirement Home, 3700 North Capital Street, Washington D.C. 20011-8400. An online register

book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Direc-

tors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.

HERO OF PORK CHOP HILL DIES

Photo by Rick Hazzard

Board of Directors: Ms. Carolyn Justus, Chair Ms. Nancy Edwards, Treasurer Ms. Phoebe Blackwell Ms. Patsy Farmer Jones

Mr. Bob Justus

Ms. Sheila Kelly

Ms. Barbara Lackey

Mr. Terry Robinson

Mr. Jim Toms

Mr. J. Michael Edney, Ex-Officio - Commissioner Representative

Our Board of Directors The Henderson County Heritage Museum Board of Directors is dedicated to fulfilling its responsibilities to the Henderson County Board of Commissioners to design and operate a heritage and history museum in the restored Historic Courthouse located on the block in downtown Hendersonville between First and Second Avenues and Main and Church Streets.

Heritage Museum Staff: Anne Ridings, Office Manager, (828) 694-5007

[email protected]

Eric Gilliland, Museum Supervisor (Weekdays): 828-694-1619 [email protected] Barbara Green, Museum Supervisor (Weekends): 828-694-1619 [email protected]


Some of our greatest historical and artistic treasures we place in museums;

others, we take for walks. - Roger Caras

There is no depositary for military photos in Henderson County. All photos in the Veterans

Hall were donated by either the individual in the photo or their immediate family. If your

daddy’s picture is not in the hall, it’s because we did not get it donated to us. Call the Museum office, 694-5007, for how to go about donating your daddy’s or your mommy’s

military photo.

NEW AUTHOR HEATHER ADAMS SIGNING

This event will be held June 2nd in the

Historic Courthouse Community Room. Au-

thor will do a reading; books will be available

for purchase; refreshments will be provided.

Hope to see you there.


Sunday, April 20, 2018 By Ed Nielsen Special to the Times-News Gene Carman turned 100 years old on May 11, and his daughter, Carrie Carman, a local veterinarian, hosted a party at Hendersonville Health & Rehabilitation. Gene has resided there since falling at his home in Dana in November and injuring his hip. There were dozens of well-wishers in attendance, including many from Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Henderson County Aviation Museum, both organizations to which Gene belongs. Also, Gene’s son, Randy, a retired Knoxville policeman was there to help celebrate. The Fire Marshal strongly recommended against putting candles on Gene’s cake. Gene was born in Massillon, Ohio. His family moved to the Detroit area when he was 9. Upon graduating high school, he went to work for General Motors in their Parts Division. His job was to ensure the right parts got to the right dealers at the right time. In early 1943, Gene and his family discussed his going into the service. They decided the war effort could use his logistics expertise and that he’d probably wind up in a stateside desk job, making sure our troops got beans and bullets when they needed them. But the Army had other ideas. Despite his experience and desire to become an officer, Gene wound up training to be in a tank unit. One day, his unit had a chance to take a test for possible aviation assignments. Gene volunteered to take that test and scored well. He began an extensive training program at bases across the country. He got his commission and was deployed as a navigator bombardier to the island of Corsica, off the Italian coast. On June 2, 1944, Gene began flying bombing missions in B-25s over Italy and southern France. On Aug. 8, 1944, he was on his 30th mission when he and his crew were shot down. They landed safely and, with the help of the French resistance, avoided the Germans for three days, but they were captured. Fortunately, the war was near its end and the outcome evident to all. When an American infantry battalion surrounded them eight days later, the German commander surrendered to Gene.

LOCAL VETERAN CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13


In 2012 , Gene published 'Assault on Avignon,' his combat memoirs based on a diary he maintained throughout the war. After the war, Gene returned to his job at General Motors and moved up the corporate ladder, first in Detroit and then Chicago. He then moved on to more lucrative opportunities with other organizations in Texas and Knoxville. Gene moved to the Hendersonville area in 1997. All the stained-glass windows at Trinity Presbyterian are Gene’s handiwork.

Story and photo reprinted courtesy of the Hendersonville Times-News.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Gene Carmen left, Ed Nielsen right cowrote “Assault on Avignon.” Photo by Patrick Sullivan, Times News.

NOTE: Several of Gene Carmen’s military souvenirs are featured in one of the cas-es in the Heritage Museum’s Veterans Hall.


MUSEUM LEGO DISPLAYS Did you know that there are two cases of Lego displays at the museum? Most often they include a find it game as well and are generally changed out every 8-12 weeks. Museum Board of Directors member Phoebe Blackwell had kids who loved Legos and, now with 8 grandchildren, she is still buying them for kids to play with. There are not many toys that can be 40 years old and still delight a child, but Lego is one for sure. Legos started in Denmark and the name comes from Leg Godt, which in Danish means “Play Well.” Come check out the latest displays; you may be surprised what Lego is up to these days.

Some displays like the photo above

are pure creations by Phoebe;

some like those in the two photos

below may be 30 or 40 years old.

Town Airport 1985

Race Cars

ranging

from 1986-

1996.

Speedway

buildings

created by

Phoebe


In the photo top left are 3 of Phoebe’s children with their Legos; Andy is on the right. In the photo below it

is Andy’s son, Kaden, playing with Legos his dad played with. In the photo directly below, you can see

there is almost always a special Apple Festival display.

Aquanauts1995

Legos continued from page 14

Newsletter

designing and

publishing by

Phoebe Blackwell,

Get your copy of the latest books

by different authors, flags, toys

and so much more in our gift

shop but please don’t shop until you drop!


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