Skip to main content
NC Archives logo NC Archives

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • Researchers
    Researchers
    • Services
    • Collections
    • Digital Collections
    • Finding Aids
    • Preservation
    • Researchers FAQ
    • TranscribeNC
    • Your Story is North Carolina’s Story
    • Outer Banks History Center
    • Western Regional Archives
  • Government
    Government
    • Digital Records
    • Retention Schedules
    • Records Management Services and Training
    • State Records Center
    • Government FAQ
  • Educators
    Educators
    • Using Primary Sources
    • Lesson Plans
    • Virtual Tours
  • About
    About
    • Visit
    • Events
    • Press Releases
    • Social Media
    • North Carolina State Historical Records Advisory Board
    • Traveling Archivist Program
    • Statement on Equity in Archival Access and Collecting
  • Contact
    Contact
    • Staff List
    • Questions about Services or Research
  • Support
  • Search Catalog
  • NC.gov
  • Agencies
  • Jobs
  • Services

Search Rooms Open by Appointment

Public research spaces in Raleigh, the Western Regional Archives in Asheville and the Outer Banks History Center will open to the public on a limited basis. Learn more
NC Archives »  
Researchers
»  
Western Regional Archives
»  
Visit the Western Regional Archives

Visit the Western Regional Archives

Contact Information

Phone: (828) 250-3120
Email: wrarchives@ncdcr.gov

Staff List and Contact Information 
Information on the Western Office of the Office of Archives and History is also available.

Address:

Western Regional Archives
176 Riceville Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805

Guidelines for Researchers

Effective date November 12, 2020

Changes Wellness and Protection
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 1:00-4:00 pm. Appointments required.
  • No more than 2 researchers may be in the Search Room at any time.
  • Records and other shared items may be quarantined up to 48 hours.
  • Visit our website for up to date information and more details.
  • If you are feeling sick or unwell, stay home.
  • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
  • Staff will have gloves and face coverings and assist researchers behind plexiglass barrier.
  • All staff and researchers will wear face coverings in accordance with Executive Order 147.
Enhanced Hygiene Social Distancing
  • Hand sanitizer is available for patrons.
  • Modified procedures to reduce passing items between patrons and staff, such as suspending registration cards and call slips filled out by patrons.
  • Surfaces, microfilm machines and other high contact areas will be cleaned in between hours of operation.
  • Spaces where patrons may not sit are marked on tables to allow 6 feet of separation. Please do not move the chairs or signs.
  • Markers on the floors will show you where to stand when waiting for assistance.

Safety First

Know your Ws! Wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth. Wait 6 feet apart, avoid close contact. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

The State Archives of North Carolina’s highest priority is the health, safety, and well-being of our staff and community members. In addition to all relevant Executive Orders (EO 147, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper – Executive Actions), the Archives follows the guidelines recommended by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and staff follow the highest standards of safety and disinfecting. Until further notice, we have implemented additional precautions and procedures with the understanding that guidelines and visitation may change. Please check our website for updates or contact us at wrarchives@ncdcr.gov or 828-250-3120.

Preparation for Your Visit

To maintain social distancing, fewer reference staff will be available in the State Archives Search Room. Typically, we want everyone to visit the State Archives and experience working with original and intrinsic documents. Our goal during this time is to assist you remotely as much as possible, but we realize some of you need to conduct research on site. Due to limited hours and room capacity, visitors can take preliminary steps to manage their time in the archives.

  • Search the Archive’s catalog to identify materials you would like to see before you visit.
  • Visit the North Carolina Digital Collections to explore our digital resources.
  • Email us at wrarchives@ncdcr.gov if you have any questions about our holdings or reference services. Perhaps we can assist you remotely if you have concerns about conducting research in person.
  • If you are interested in conducting genealogy research or looking for general information on state agencies, you might find resources through the North Carolina Government and Heritage Library.  Contact them at slnc.reference@ncdcr.gov or 919-814-6790 with your question.
  • If you want an up to date status of the search room, call us at 828-250-3120. Any specific questions regarding our safety guidelines or our records can be emailed to wrarchives@ncdcr.gov.
  • If you are unable to acquire records remotely and need to visit the Search Room, you will need to make an appointment. We will accept no more than 2 researchers at a time, Monday-Friday, 1:00-4:00 p.m. To make an appointment email Heather South at heather.south@ncdcr.gov or call her at 828-250-3121.
  • In addition to the aforementioned regulations, we ask that you consider these other suggestions during our limited operation.
    • Bring your own laptop computer or electronic device. All public computer terminals in the Search Room will be closed. We have wi-fi access for those needing online services. If necessary, reference staff can provide limited online services in the Search Room.
    • Bring your own pencil; pens are not allowed in the Search Room. If you did not bring a permitted writing device, we can provide a golf pencil that you can keep or discard after use. Reference staff will complete call slips but you may bring your own lists of records you want to request.
    • Bring your own camera/phone. We will still provide copies for a nominal fee. However, to avoid touching shared material, we encourage you to bring a camera or smartphone to photograph records. Photocopy requests will be quarantined for 48 hours and copies will be mailed or available for pickup at a later date.
    • Pack lightly. We will still issue lockers for any personal items prohibited in the Search Room, but please try to leave items at home or in your vehicle.
    • If a staff member is consulting with a patron at the reference area, please wait in the designated place or six feet from others.
    • Please note that hand sanitizer is good for people, but not for archival records. When you apply hand sanitizer, please wait until it is dry before touching archival records, boxes, and volumes.
    • The only public accessible spaces in the building are the Archives Search Room and third floor restrooms. Patrons should not visit other floors and office spaces in the building.

Planning a Visit?

There are regulations governing the use of the Search Room. Please review them prior to you visit. 

Holidays

The Western Regional Archives is closed on official state holidays, which are:

  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
  • Good Friday
  • Memorial Day
  • July 4th
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans Day (November 11)
  • Thanksgiving (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)
  • Christmas (usually December 24-26)

Map

176 Riceville Rd, Asheville, NC 28805

Western Regional Archives

  • Collections and Services
  • Visit the Western Regional Archives

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Contact Information

State Archives of North Carolina

109 E. Jones St. Raleigh, NC 27601
4614 Mail Service Center

(919) 814-6840

The State Archives of North Carolina is a Division of

@NCArchives Twitter Feed

Tweets by @NCArchives

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Flickr
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Employee Directory
  • Accessibility
  • TERMS OF USE
  • PRIVACY
  • OPEN BUDGET
NC Archives
https://archives.ncdcr.gov/researchers/western-regional-archives/visit-western-regional-archives