SVM to host walking tour of Hemphill Estate
Spring Nature Ramble offers immersive experience in ‘Haven of wilderness’
The Valley Echo
April 8, 2024
The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center will host a Spring Nature Ramble through the Hemphill Estate in Black Mountain, April 19. Photo courtesy of SVM
A leisurely stroll through fields and forests, hosted by the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center at 9 a.m., Friday, April 19, will explore the flourishing flora and fauna of a rarely visited piece of privately owned wilderness.
The Spring Nature Ramble through the Hemphill Estate in Black Mountain, led by naturalist Nora Murdock, offers an immersive experience on land preserved by one of the earliest families to settle in the Swannanoa Valley.
Registration for the event, which is $60 for SVM members and $70 for non-members, is available at swannanoavalleymuseum.org.
Hikers will visit a pristine landscape that is rich in biodiversity and natural beauty, as Murdock, an eighth-generation resident of Western N.C., lends her expertise to the identification of area vegetation and wild life. The wildlife biologist and ecologist, has served as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Natural Park Service field biologist for nearly 40 years.
“Whether you're a newcomer to the region or a seasoned resident, seize the exceptional chance to delve into the captivating world of flora and fauna within the well-preserved haven of wilderness at the private Hemphill Estate in Black Mountain,” SVM said in a statement announcing the Spring Nature Ramble.
Once owned by Arthur Joe and Mary Hemphill, the estate is among multiple properties conserved by family. Following Arthur Joe’s sudden passing in 2009 and Mary’s death at the age of 80, in 2017, Mary bequeathed 25 acres of land within Black Mountain’s city limits to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for the creation of a park.
The couple’s residence and adjoining properties were sold to fund the park, with additional commercial property earmarked for conservation easements.
Notably, this wasn’t the Hemphills’ first venture into conservation; in 2003, they placed 350 acres in McDowell County under a conservation easement. With no biological children, the couple devoted their love to the community, often caring for children in need, and demonstrated a profound commitment to environmental stewardship and historical preservation
The expedition will meet at a designated spot near the estate trailhead, and specific directions will be provided for registered participants. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks or lunch, ample water and layered clothing for a comfortable and enjoyable day outdoors.
For more information on the Spring Nature Ramble through the Hemphill Estate in Black Mountain. contact the Museum at 828-669-9566 or email svmvolunteer@gmail.com.