The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is excited to be partnering with the Blowing Rock Historical Society and the Blowing Rock Fire Department on its upcoming exhibition, 1923: The Blowing Rock Fire, open to the public from May 9-July 26.
The exhibition takes a detailed look at a significant point in Blowing Rock’s history that left the town anxious to start anew. A reception for this exhibition and others on view will be held during BRAHM’s Summer Exhibition Celebration on May 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. following Blowing Rock’s Art in the Park. The event is free and open to the public.
“It is hard to imagine the utter helplessness that this community would have felt as they tried to battle a raging fire with only buckets of water,” says Lee Carol Giduz, BRAHM executive director. “Today, this town is blessed by a well-equipped and beautiful fire station. We take for granted that we are protected. This exhibit, 1923: The Blowing Rock Fire, reminds us of a tragic and frightening event, but also shows the resilience of the people of a small mountain town.”
Visiting the village for the first time, you’d hardly find a trace of evidence of the devastating fire of 1923. But for those living here at the time, the event was very real, and without a fire department in place, citizens ran back and forth with buckets of water, fighting to stop the fire in its tracks. Those unable to assist watched from across the street in the town park. The fire was so significant that over half the town was taken, but like any such event, it offered opportunity for renewal.
After the fire, the official Blowing Rock Fire Department was founded, and the town worked together to gather funds to purchase its first fire truck by 1926. The Blowing Rock Historical Society and the town fire department have been working closely together to restore the original fire truck to be revealed this summer. The Museum is excited to be supporting such a monumental event in our towns history and invites the community to come celebrate.
General admission to the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is $7 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, active military, and children ages 5 and up. Donations are accepted for admission to the Museum on Thursdays. Located at 159 Chestnut Street on the corner of Chestnut and Main in Blowing Rock, the Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday). For more information, please call 828-295-9099 or visit www.blowingrockmuseum.org.
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