A new book about Swannanoa was just released on August 19. Part of Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series,”Swannanoa” was written and compiled by local author Anne E. Chesky Smith for the Swannanoa Valley Museum. Smith is a former Board member of Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa, and currently serves as Executive Director of the Swannanoa Valley Museum.

With the help of more than 200 vintage images, the book tells the story of Swannanoa, from the earliest settlers to modern times. “Swannanoa” contains a treasure trove of rarely seen photographs, the majority of which were donated from the private collections of local residents.

If you’re a newcomer, “Swannanoa” provides a wonderful portrait of the community you now call home. And if you’re an old timer, you’ll enjoy seeing images of familiar places and faces from Swannanoa’s past – some may even be of you, your family or friends!

When asked what lasting impact she hoped the book would have, the author had this to say:

I hope this book will preserve a small community’s history, a history that is in danger of being lost forever. I hope it will inspire those who read it to continue to recall and record their memories of the past and the present. I hope it will encourage Swannanoa’s residents to act to preserve what we have left of our historic and natural spaces that made the community that we all love today. And I hope this book will help to create a deeper sense of community between Swannanoa’s oldest families and the valley’s newcomers.

“Swannanoa” is available at area bookstores, the Swannanoa Valley Museum, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at 888-313-2665 or online. Cost is $21.99. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Swannanoa Valley Museum.