Stories and Images of East End

[Karen H. Loughmiller]

Twilight of a Neighborhood is an ongoing project exploring the dramatic impact of urban renewal in Asheville's historic East End neighborhood. What was life like in the East End before urban renewal? How did urban renewal change the neighborhood? How were families and businesses affected? The truest and best history of any community is found in the memories of its members. We need your pictures and stories to help us bring to light and preserve the untold history of the East End during this period.

[Rob Neufeld]

See the photo gallery by clicking here.

[Rob Neufeld]

Mrs. Lucille Fletcher Miller donates East End painting
August 5, 2008

Mrs. Lucille Fletcher Miller has donated a 1957 painting of the East End to the
N.C. Collection at Pack Memorial Library. Mrs. Miller is the daughter of Clyde
and Janie Fletcher. The family lived on Sassafras St. in the East End in the
1940s and 1950s.

The painting, entitled “Gay Colors on Mountain St.”, is of interest as only the
second known artistic representation of the old East End. Painted by Ruth
Feldman, wife of the late Dr. Leon Feldman, it depicts the Mountain St./Pine St.
area. Mrs. Feldman gave the painting to Mrs. Miller during the course of a
friendship and working relationship that lasted over 37 years, until Mrs.
Feldman’s death in 2005.

The painting was created while Mrs. Feldman was taking a class in the City
Building. The class observed the East End neighborhood from the windows of the
City Building, then went into East End to sketch.

Mrs. Miller recalls Mrs. Feldman’s comment about the brightly colored homes
depicted in the painting: Our instructor told us, “These are happy people, so
don’t use drab colors!”

Mrs. Miller, who has had the painting for over 20 years, says, “I was holding on
to this painting because of the history it represents. When I saw the article
about Thelma Porter’s store and the library’s East End project, I knew I had
found the right place for this painting!”