Etching of George Willis Pack by Sidney L. Smith, 1883

“Pack: A Name That Will Endure,” an exhibition featuring historic documents and photographs of Asheville’s Pack Square, will be on view August 1-11 at UNC Asheville’s Blowers Gallery. The exhibition features items on loan from the Pack Square Conservancy, Pack Library and UNC Asheville’s Ramsey Library Special Collections. An opening reception will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, in the gallery.

“Pack: A Name That Will Endure” explores the history of the park as well as commemorates the contributions of George Willis Pack. The area now known as Pack Square got its start in 1793 when the first Buncombe County commissioners approved the building of the Court of Pleas & General Session. The land went through growth and changes, at times serving as home to the court house, a watering hole for livestock and a regional trade center. Then in 1900, Asheville philanthropist George Willis Pack gave the land adjacent to Court Square to the Buncombe County Commissioners so that the court house and county offices could be moved from the square. He indicated that “the county dedicate (the land) to the public, forever, to be used for the purposes of a public square park or place.” Pack’s generosity set a standard for philanthropy in Asheville and Pack Square is named in his honor.

The exhibition is just one event hosted by the Pack Square Conservancy to mark the 100th anniversary of Pack’s death. Established in 2000, the Pack Square Conservancy is a non-profit organization charged with planning, designing and raising funds to rebuild Pack Square. The 6.5-acre park now under construction will cost more than $17.5 million and will open in 2008.

Blowers Gallery, located on the main floor of UNC Asheville’s Ramsey Library, is open during regular library hours. Admission is free. For hours of operation, call UNC Asheville’s Ramsey Library at
828/251-6546 or Ramsey Library Special Collections at 828/251-6645.