UNC Asheville Acquires Julian Price Papers

UNC Asheville's D. Hidden Ramsey Library Special Collections Department has recently acquired the Julian Price Papers. The more than 10,000 documents and 2,200 photographs were donated by Price's widow Meg MacLeod. "Julian was one of so many people who loved this city and helped it to blossom," said MacLeod. "He had an incredible sense for what people cared about and wanted, before they asked for it, like more downtown living spaces. I'm happy that his collection will be located at UNC Asheville so more people can learn about this sweet, shy man's quirky style of making change happen."

UNC Asheville is the sole repository for Price's collection. "This collection is not only the history of one man's life but also a history of Asheville in the 1990s," said Helen Wykle, UNC Asheville Ramsey Library Special Collections coordinator. "Some of the great business, social and cultural changes that took place in the city during those years can be traced back to the energy and vision of Julian Price. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful collection of historical papers."

The collection contains correspondences, articles, pamphlets, programs, books, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia detailing Price's business and philanthropic efforts in Asheville. The papers also document Price's early life and his career in radio and civic life in Oregon and California. In addition the collection includes more than 2,200 photographs which Price took, primarily of Asheville, which he used in his advocacy and in his CityWatch Magazine.

Price, a Greensboro native, was a pioneering businessman and philanthropist in downtown Asheville from 1990 until his death in 2001. He was the founder of Public Interest Projects (PIP) Through PIP, Price invested over $15 million in downtown Asheville buildings and downtown businesses, including many of Asheville's most successful historic renovations and business endeavors. Among the buildings renovated by Price and PIP are: the Asheville Hotel (now Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe), the Old Penneys Building (now Mobilia), 65-69 Biltmore (now Laurey's Catering and Asheville Wine Market), the Vanderbilt Apartments exterior renovation, the Orange Peel, and the Carolina Apartments. Some of the downtown businesses Price or PIP invested in are: Salsas, Zambra, the Laughing Seed, the French Broad Food Coop, the Marketplace, Blue Moon Bakery, the Fine Arts Theater, and the Orange Peel. He was also instrumental in the renovation of the Grove Arcade, Pack Place, and the Public Service Building. In addition, Price was the creator of the Dogwood Fund at the Community Foundation, which has provided more than 200 grants totaling some $2 million to such local nonprofit organizations as the Eagle/Market Development Corporation, Project STEAM, Affordable Housing Coalition, Pisgah Legal Services, WCQS Radio and the YWCA.

The papers are available to the public during regular Ramsey Library Special Collection hours. Special Collections is open from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday on the third floor of UNC Asheville's Ramsey Library.

For more information, call Special Collections at 828/251-6645 or click on http://toto.lib.unca.edu/.

Media Contacts:

• Helen Wykle, UNCA Ramsey Library Special Collections Coordinator, 828/251-6621
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526