History

Data@Museums

Smith-McDowell House Museum

Staff at the Smith-McDowell House Museum use census records to tell the story of the home's residents
and to teach visitors how to conduct research using primary documents.

Photo courtesy of the Smith-McDowell House Museum.

The Smith-McDowell House Museum is the oldest surviving dwelling in Asheville, NC. The museum uses census records as part of their educational program. In the activity "Behind the Big House," students learn about slavery using primary source material, including the 1850 Census slave schedule and the 1870 Census population schedule. Students then take home instructions on how to conduct a census of their own family.

To learn more about Asheville, NC, and life in the 19th century, visit the Smith-McDowell House Museum .