Whimmy-Diddles & Dancing Pigs

Currently, the Smith-McDowell House Museum is displaying a small exhibit featuring traditional folk art toys, the work of Willard Watson's and other unknown wood carvers. Watson, a native of Deep Gap North Carolina, was an accomplished folk artisan. He played the banjo, was a flatfoot dancer, storyteller, and a wood carver. His wood carvings are drawn from experiences of isolated life in the Western North Carolina Mountains. For example, "Bouncing Pigs" illustrates a farmer driving a pig down what could be Drovers Road, more commonly called the Asheville- Buncombe Turnpike. The toys and games he carved have delighted both children and adults for generations.

This special exhibit is included with the cost of admission fee to visit the Smith-McDowell House Museum. Cost of admission is $5 for adults, $4 for students with a valid student id, and $3 for children ages 5 to 18.

The Smith-McDowell house Museum is a restored period house and history museum located at 283 Victoria Road on Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Campus.

Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm to 4:00pm. For additional information, call 828- 253-9231.