Vance Birthplace

Zebulon Baird Vance was one of the South's most dominant personalities and influential leaders during the Civil War era.  He served his home state of North Carolina as both a military officer and Governor during the Civil War.  A staunch Unionist before the war, Vance reluctantly adopted the Confederate cause when South Carolina was attacked by Union forces.  He became known as the "War Governor of the South" for his commitment to the war effort – North Carolina trained and equipped more soldiers than any other Southern state – and for his compassion for the soldiers and their families during the privation of the war years.  A decade after the war, Vance again served as Governor and was elected four times to the US Senate.

Zeb Vance was born and raised on a pioneer farmstead in the Reems Creek Valley, near Asheville.  The Vance Birthplace is now a State Historic Site and features a five-room log house – reconstructed around an original chimney – and six log outbuildings: a corn crib, springhouse, smokehouse, loom house, slave house and tool house.  The furnishings and household items on display are representative of the period from 1790 to 1840 and include a few pieces original to the home.  The Vance Birthplace visitor center features exhibits and a short film on the life of Zebulon Vance.

Vance came from a distinguished family of Scots-Irish.  His grandfather, who purchased the farm property, fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War.  His father served as a captain in the War of 1812.  Vance's uncle and brother both served in the US Congress.    

Vance Birthplace Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday  9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed on major holidays.

Vance Birthplace Admission Fees
Admission is free.  Donations are accepted.
*Prices are subject to change without notice & from what is listed on this website.

Vance Birthplace Location
Vance Birthplace
911 Reems Creek Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
(828) 645-6706
www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/vance/vance.htm