Black Stories in Census Tract 2 is an exhibit on view at Pack Memorial Library to Honor Stumptown, Hill Street, and South Montford Legacies

Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library is proud to announce the opening of Black Stories in Census Tract 2, a curated multimedia exhibit by Garnet Prose + Projects and STM Multimedia, in partnership with the Historic Stumptown Neighborhood Association and with support from the Friends of Buncombe County Special Collections, Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County, and Dogwood Health Trust.

The exhibition will be on display at Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC) within Pack Memorial Library through April 21, 2026.

Black Stories in Census Tract 2 illuminates the social, cultural, and historical impact of Asheville’s historic Black neighborhoods. By centering the lived experiences of elders and descendants, the exhibit honors the families whose roots shaped the Stumptown, Hill Street, and South Montford communities and is underpinned by years of community-centered research and oral history collection led by Ami Worthen (Garnet Prose + Projects) and contemporary multimedia documentation led by Elizabeth Lashay Garland (STM Multimedia).

“The stories of Stumptown residents continue to inspire others by revealing the strength, creativity, and care that sustained the community despite systemic barriers and displacement,” says Garland.

“Stumptown stands as a testament to the power of community in the face of exclusion, where families built homes, institutions, and networks of support that fostered dignity, pride, and belonging. Though physical spaces were disrupted by redlining and urban renewal, the spirit of Stumptown endures through memory, tradition, and storytelling—reminding us that place is not only defined by geography, but by the people who shaped it and continue to carry its legacy forward.”

Pairing historical archives with modern digital storytelling, the exhibit fosters a cross-generational dialogue, allowing younger residents to see themselves as part of the legacy of elders.

Closing Event On Tuesday, April 21 at 5 pm, Pack Memorial Library will host a documentary screening that brings Stumptown’s history to life through film, creating an opportunity for deeper reflection, community dialogue, and shared learning. The screening will serve as a gathering point for elders, descendants, students, and the public to engage directly with the stories presented in the exhibit and continue the cross-generational conversation around memory, place, and preservation.

About the Organizers Black Stories in Census Tract 2 is organized by Garnet Prose + Projects and STM Multimedia. The project is supported by the Dogwood Health Trust, the Asheville-Buncombe Community Land Trust, Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County, the Friends of the Library, and Buncombe County Special Collections. The exhibition and closing event are presented as part of the Carolina Record Shop, a program of Buncombe County Special Collections featuring creative perspectives on community history.

STM Multimedia is a dynamic creative multimedia company rooted in storytelling, arts, and cultural enrichment. They have produced documentaries, promotional videos, and podcasts capturing stories in their rawest form. https://www.instagram.com/stmmultimedia/

Garnet Prose + Projects is a narrative-weaving and project collaboration firm founded by Ami Worthen, a writer and researcher dedicated to community-centered history and collective liberation. https://amiworthen.com/

Historic Stumptown Neighborhood Association works to preserve and celebrate the heritage of one of Asheville’s most significant historic Black communities. https://montfordandstumptown.com/

Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC) is located on the lower level of Pack Memorial Library in downtown Asheville. BCSC preserves and provides access to archives and reference materials about the social, cultural, and natural history of Asheville, Buncombe County, and Western North Carolina. https://specialcollections.buncombenc.gov/