Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The birthplace of former North Carolina Gov. Zebulon Baird Vance is offering visitors a chance to explore one of the state’s most controversial historical figures — and the times he lived in.
Vance was born in 1830 at Reems Creek in what is now northern Buncombe County. He went on to become the only North Carolina governor to serve two terms during two very different periods in the state’s history: first as governor of the Confederate state of North Carolina during the Civil War, and later as governor of North Carolina after the war.
But Vance’s legacy is complicated. He was well educated and known as a powerful and persuasive speaker who could connect with both wealthy and working-class audiences. He was also born into a family that enslaved at least 34 people between 1790 and 1865.
The property was once a plantation where the Vance family grew corn and raised hogs. That agricultural operation helped build the family's wealth and prominence, ultimately contributing to Vance's political career.
Visitors to the historical site can see a one-room cabin dating to the 1790s, believed to be representative of the slave quarters on the property. The site also preserves physical connections to Vance's early life, including the home's original fireplace.
In 1898, the City of Asheville erected a monument honoring the former governor. More than a century later, in 2021, the monument was removed amid controversy over Vance's history as an enslaver. His birthplace, however, is a historic site rather than a monument — a distinction site manager Jordan Jenkins sees as an opportunity to examine history rather than erase it.
“Whether or not you agree with Zebulon Vance and his choices as a politician,” Jenkins said, there is still much to learn from “the world he grew up in and the world that he helped shape” as governor.
The Vance Historic Birthplace is located a few miles east of Weaverville and is open Tuesday through Saturday.
#history #slaveryhistory #civilwarera
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WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
The birthplace of former North Carolina Gov. Zebulon Baird Vance is offering visitors a chance to explore one of the state’s most controversial historical figures — and the times he lived in.
Vance was born in 1830 at Reems Creek in what is now northern Buncombe County. He went on to become the only North Carolina governor to serve two terms during two very different periods in the state’s history: first as governor of the Confederate state of North Carolina during the Civil War, and later as governor of North Carolina after the war.
But Vance’s legacy is complicated. He was well educated and known as a powerful and persuasive speaker who could connect with both wealthy and working-class audiences. He was also born into a family that enslaved at least 34 people between 1790 and 1865.
The property was once a plantation where the Vance family grew corn and raised hogs. That agricultural operation helped build the family's wealth and prominence, ultimately contributing to Vance's political career.
Visitors to the historical site can see a one-room cabin dating to the 1790s, believed to be representative of the slave quarters on the property. The site also preserves physical connections to Vance's early life, including the home's original fireplace.
In 1898, the City of Asheville erected a monument honoring the former governor. More than a century later, in 2021, the monument was removed amid controversy over Vance's history as an enslaver. His birthplace, however, is a historic site rather than a monument — a distinction site manager Jordan Jenkins sees as an opportunity to examine history rather than erase it.
“Whether or not you agree with Zebulon Vance and his choices as a politician,” Jenkins said, there is still much to learn from “the world he grew up in and the world that he helped shape” as governor.
The Vance Historic Birthplace is located a few miles east of Weaverville and is open Tuesday through Saturday.
#history #slaveryhistory #civilwarera
MORE: wlos.com/news/local/america-250-vance-buncombe-county-north-carolina-birthplace-governor-zebulon-baird-slavery-owner-civil-war-history-politics-community-controversial
_______________
Follow WLOS on social media:
WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: facebook.com/News13
WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13
WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: instagram.com/wlos_13
Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit wlos.com
Stream our newscasts LIVE: wlos.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@wlos.com
Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340
--
WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
