Homewood History
HOMEWOOD HISTORY
In 1904, Dr. Robert Carole came to Asheville from Duke University to build Highland Hospital. In 1927 Homewood was built as Dr. Carole's private home. The English Stone Manor was designed to reflect the feel of Dr. Carole's time at Duke University. In time, additions were made to this main house, which included a 1,500 square foot piano room wrapped with cherry walls, and a stone turret.
Montford was developing as a post-Victorian neighborhood during the 1920s, with architects such as Richard Sharpe Smith, the supervising architect of the Biltmore House, designing homes.
Dr. Carole and his wife, who had toured Europe as a concert pianist, brought the renowned composer Bela Bartok to Asheville. Bartok gave private concerts in this elegant piano room. F. Scott and Zelda Fizgerald, the Vanderbilts and others would be entertained by Bartok. Later in the 40's, Mrs. Carole taught piano lessons to Nina Simone at Homewood. Ms. Simone would be driven up from South Carolina by her mother specifically for the occasions.
Dr. Carole referred to his home in Montford as his Beloved Homewood.
