Built 1917 (1917) NRHP Reference # 80002802 Area 5 ha | Architect Seeley, Fred L. Opened 1917 Added to NRHP 1 February 1980 | |
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Location Grovewood Rd., Asheville, North Carolina Similar Bilt Industries Museum, North Carolina Homespu, Antique Car Museum, Battery Park Hotel, Smith‑McDowell House | ||
Biltmore Industries, Inc., also known as Biltmore Homespun Shops, is a historic industrial complex located adjacent to the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The complex of seven buildings were built about 1917 by Fred Loring Seely, and are constructed of hollow ceramic tile with stuccoed exterior wall surfaces. The buildings are The Eleanor Vance Building (1917), Charlotte Yale Building (1917), Carding and Spinning Building (1917), (Former) Weavers' Building (now Antique Car Museum) (1929), Boiler House (1917), Gatehouse (former Woodworking Building), and Guardhouse (1917). The complex produced high-quality crafts and fine hand-woven wool cloth. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
History
Mr. Fred Seely, Sr. died in March 1942. His wife, Mrs. Evelyn Grove Seely (daughter of Edwin Wiley Grove by his first wife, sweet Mary Louisa,) became the owner of the complex. This was during World War II and it was difficult to find able-bodied workers to work in the wool industry. Fred Seely, Jr. was off in the war but took the reigns of the family business when he came back from the war duties. Fred ran the business until 1953 when Mrs. Evelyn Seely died. Fred then began to sell off property. One man, Mr. Blomberg, wanted to buy a still from Fred. Fred said the only way to buy the still was to buy the whole complex of Biltmore Industries. The deal was made and Mr. Blomberg had a new endeavor. Mr. Blomberg converted the weaver building to an antique car museum and brought all of his antique cars from all over Asheville and put them on display for the public. He also made a museum for the Homespun Industry. These are still in operation today. There is also a fine artist gallery on site. This is the world renown Grovewood Gallery. Sherry Masters was in charge of the gallery for over 20 years. Also, there are several artists in residence that produce items such as high quality flutes, prime jewelry, impressive glass and pottery works. Mr. Blomberg's grandson, Harry, and his aunt (Blomberg's daughter) Barbara, are now the owners of the complex.