The Glenville Historical Society’s second annual Historical Tour featuring sites in the Norton Community will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 28.

The tour begins at the Norton Community Center where tour-goers will be given an overview of the community’s historic sites. From there the tour is self-guided, and participants will be provided brochures and maps.

Tour sites include historic homes, farms, points of interest and a toy museum. The Mountain Top property is at the end of the tour. Esther King Martin Metz, an Ashville native, designed the two-story cottage as a summer retreat just northwest of Cashiers in Jackson County circa 1923. This architectural pioneer is believed to be the first female to receive an architectural degree in North Carolina. She shared this place with her husband Charles, who designed the dam and lake on the property.

The Raggedy Anne and Andy Museum, now under the guidance of Kim Gruelle — a descendant of the beloved doll’s creator — is a relatively unknown attraction. Gruelle will host the museum visit and has donated a Raggedy Ann and Andy doll for a fundraising raffle. Raffle tickets, $5 each or 5 for $20, are available now from any GHS member and of course will be sold during the tour.

The proceeds from the tour and raffle fundraiser will be used as seed money needed to publish the Glenville Area Historical Record, the book of families, sites, life and culture from the past to the present.

The cost for the tour is $10. Tour and raffle tickets can be purchased by calling Marietta and Don Domkowki at 828.743.3004 or any GHS Board member. For additional information about the Glenville Historical Society and the 2012 Historical Tour call Carol Adams at 828.743.1658 or Pearl Krepps at 828.743.6744 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..