Valley Rewind: In 1913, Franklin Silas Terry began acquiring land in Black Mountain for himself and his cousin—and eventual second wife—Lillian Slocomb Emerson Terry. The location was chosen for its proximity to the Southern Railroad and to Lillian’s family in North Carolina. The home Eventually became known as IntheOaks. Terry, a Connecticut native, made his fortune in the electric industry as the first Vice President of the General Electric Company. He later founded the National Electric Lighting Association (NELA), a major force in the early electrification of the United States. He was first married to Grace Downes, with whom he had four children. Lillian was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She married her first husband, Neil Emerson, in 1906. After his death in 1909, she and her only child moved to New York City and later lived in Europe until the outbreak of World War I. Throughout their lives, Lillian and Franklin remained in close contact and eventually married in 1921, two years after Terry’s divorce from Grace Downes. Franklin Terry commissioned architect Franklin E. Wallis to design the Tudor-style main home. Wallis had previously worked under noted architect Richard Morris Hunt and had contributed to early plans for Biltmore. He also designed the National Electric Company’s research facility in Columbus, Ohio. Construction on the main house began in 1919 and was completed in 1921. Immediately following its completion, the Terrys hired the prominent Asheville firm Smith & Carrier to build an expansive entertainment wing. This addition included a swimming pool, bowling alley, gymnasium, and an upstairs bath and dressing room. Richard Sharp Smith, who had been brought to Western North Carolina to supervise the construction of Biltmore, later partnered with Albert Heath Carrier, whose engineering expertise helped shape many of their projects. Final work on the entertainment wing was completed by Francis George Hasselman of New York City. This photo from our collections was taken during construction of the new entertainment wing. On the caption of the photo "Francis Geo. Hasselman" is credited as the architect and "J.M. Geary" as the builder. If you are interested in seeing IntheOaks for yourself, you can purchase tickets for a soirée being held on June 6th or tickets for tours on June 7th and 8th. Visit www.intheoaks.com to learn more. . . #blackmountain #appalachianhistory #blackmountainnc #HistoricPreservation #wnc #SupportHistory #ashevillehistory #buncombecounty #NorthCarolinaHistory #MontreatCollege #IntheOaks #SwannanoaValleyMuseum #localhistorymuseum (fb)

After years of being closed to the public, IntheOaks will reopen its doors once again. Built in the 1920s and designed by architects Frank E. Wallis and Richard Sharp Smith, both of whom worked on the Biltmore Estate, for Franklin Silas Terry, the first vice president of General Electric, and his second wife Lillian Estelle Slocomb Emerson Terry. IntheOaks was once known for the extravagant parties the couple hosted that were uninhibited by Prohibition laws of the time. Later, the estate was under the ownership by the Episcopal Diocese and became known as Camp Henry, a retreat that welcomed hundreds of summer campers and prominent faith leaders—including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham. Now owned by @montreatcollege , @intheoaks_nc is beginning a new chapter as a future event venue with the goal of preserving its rich history for generations to come. Come see it for yourself! 📅 June 7 & 8 – Tour the historic home and its beautiful grounds: 🔗 https://intheoaks.com/open-house/ 🎷 June 6 – Experience an unforgettable evening inspired by the original Terry soirées, with food, wine, and live jazz—all in support of restoration efforts: 🔗 https://intheoaks.com/fundraising-event/ ❤️ Can’t attend but want to help keep this legacy alive? 🔗 https://intheoaks.com/support-the-restoration/ Let’s make sure IntheOaks continues to be around for generations to come. . . #blackmountainnc #swannanoavalley #ashevillehistory #blackmountain #NorthCarolinaHistory #localhistory #wnc #appalachianhistory #buncombecounty #IntheOaks #HistoricPreservation #MontreatCollege #SupportHistory #OpenHouse #FundraiserEvent (fb)