HOMEWOOD HISTORY
In 1904, Dr. Robert Carole came to Asheville from Duke University
to build Highland Hospital. In 1927 Homewood was built as Dr. Carole's
private home. The English Stone Manor was designed to reflect the
feel of Dr. Carole's time at Duke University. In time, additions were
made to this main house, which included a 1,500 square foot piano
room wrapped with cherry walls, and a stone turret.
Montford was
developing as a post-Victorian neighborhood during the 1920s, with
architects such as Richard Sharpe Smith, the supervising architect
of the Biltmore House, designing homes.
Dr. Carole and his wife, who had toured Europe as a concert pianist,
brought the renowned composer Bela Bartok to Asheville. Bartok gave
private concerts in this elegant piano room. F. Scott and Zelda
Fizgerald, the Vanderbilts and others would be entertained by Bartok.
Later in the 40's, Mrs. Carole taught piano lessons to Nina Simone
at Homewood. Ms. Simone would be driven up from South Carolina by
her mother specifically for the occasions.
Dr. Carole referred to his home in Montford as his Beloved Homewood
.
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