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Exhibits at the Center for Diversity Education are largely based on the research of students at UNC Asheville using the methodology of Facing History and Ourselves. Through the use of primary and secondary source materials, including first-person stories from local citizens, our exhibits amplify the emotional impact of world events and strengthen students' understanding of history. The exhibits are a great way to start a conversation in schools, community organizations, and businesses. Each exhibit is created to complement some part of the North Carolina Essential Standards and the Common Core, while being of benefit to citizens of all ages.
Read more about each of our unique exhibits below.
An Unmarked Trail
An Unmarked Trail: Stories of African Americans in Buncombe County 1850 - 1950 gives local history for specific goals in the North Carolina Essential Standards.
This exhibit can be split between 1850 – 1900 and 1900 – 1950 if the teacher or renter desires to focus on a shorter span of time or has limited space for a display.
The research for An Unmarked Trail was conducted by students from AC Reynolds, Asheville, and Roberson High Schools under the leadership of the Center and local educator, Tori Leslie.
Student Activity Guide for 1850-1900
Student Activity Guide for 1900-1950
Choosing to Remember
Choosing to Remember: From the Shoah to the Mountains shares the experiences of residents of WNC who are personally connected to the Shoah (Hebrew word for the Holocaust). Their stories create a timeline from the beginning of the Holocaust in the early 1930s to the present impact survivors and their families continue to face. Additional resources are available on the Holocaust Education page.
Coming to the Mountains
Coming to the Mountains: Immigration and WNC shares the stories of immigrants who began moving to WNC in the early 1800s through the present.
The focus of “Coming to the Mountains” is on the businesses, both historic and contemporary, that immigrants to our community have established.
In the Footsteps of the Pilgrims
In the Footsteps of Pilgrims: Historic Travels of Faith explores the stories of five local pilgrims and the journeys they traveled in the faiths of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.
Loving Families
Loving Families: GLBTQ Stories in WNC shares the joys and challenges of families in Asheville’s growing and vibrant gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender community and encourages citizens to explore the common ground shared by all families.
Mi Historia
Mi Historia: Contemporary Latinos in WNC provides a glimpse into the varied and important stories of Western North Carolina’s Latino immigrant population.
NEW: Check out Mi Historia's digital booklet!
Virtual Mi Historia Exhibit - part 1
Virtual Mi Historia Exhibit - part 2
Virtual Mi Historia Exhibit - part 3
View Study Guide
Potential Unlimited
Potential Unlimited features photos and interviews with twelve local citizens whose lives have been affected by disability in some way, including personal, family and professional experiences.
The exhibit was developed through UNC Asheville undergraduate student research and addresses a variety of issues associtated with disability, such as Universal Design, adaptive technologies, access, and respect.
The Pecking Order
The Pecking Order explores the continuum of interactions from targets, bullies, bystanders, and upstanders. The experience does not end in childhood, but is repeated in the workplace, neighborhoods and the politics of the world stage.
With All Deliberate Speed
With All Deliberate Speed: Desegregation and Buncombe County looks at the actions of individuals and institutions and the role they played in the integration of the community from the early 1950's to the turn of the century. In particluar, the exhibit features the activities of the Asheville Student Committee on Racial Equality (ASCORE) who worked to desegregate Asheville from 1960 - 1965.
WNC Goes Global
WNC Goes Global exhibit shares the words of wisdom from local entrepreneurs. Diverse business people share their perspectives on our changing economy, our relationships with countries around the world, and our ways of educating for success in this 21st century.
WWII Mountain Memories
WWII Mountain Memories: Homefront to the Front Lines is based on interviews from over 75 local veterans and civilians, presents the issues of diversity that were central to World War II including the Holocaust, the internment of the Japanese, the changing role of women, the segregated army, and much more.
Health Care Parity: Bending the Arc for Equality in Buncombe County
Health Care Parity: Bending the Arc for Equality in Buncombe County is based on attempts of Asheville physician Dr. Charles Blair to enhance awareness of and address health disparities affecting primarily African Americans. The exhibition also is based on a non-empirical study of Sharon Kelly West, RN on "Access and Availability of Health Care for African Americans of Buncombe County 1890-1960."
Check out the Health Care Parity's new digital booklet!
