Writers' Workshop
Location and Directions
September 29 - October 3, 2008
at Wildacres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC
Wildacres is a true retreat, undisturbed by through traffic. The buildings sit atop a mountain called Pompey's Knob at an elevation of 3,300 feet. The property itself is 1,600 acres adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway surrounded by thousands of acres of the Pisgah National Forest.
Wildacres is not a holiday resort and does not cater to the traveling public. Rather, it is a very special retreat where nonprofit groups come to study and learn. Among the many groups using the facilities are music and art master classes, religious and interfaith groups, mineral and lapidary societies, medical, social science, natural sciences, academic, environmental and senior citizen groups. All groups must be non-profit and have planned educational programs. Three family-style meals with vegetarian options are served each day in the dining room.
Wildacres' buildings are modern yet rustic. Guests stay in two lodges which have 57 bedrooms. Each room has a private bathroom and accommodates two guests. There are no televisions or telephones in the rooms. Linens are supplied. The nearest village is Little Switzerland, North Carolina -- about halfway between Asheville and Blowing Rock. Wildacres is also near the 75-year-old Penland School of Crafts and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Many nationally recognized craftspersons have studios nearby.
See http://wildacres.org/Map.htm for a map and directions that you can print out.
Wildacres is two hours from Charlotte and an hour and a half from Asheville, which have the closest major airports. Participants flying into the workshop will need to rent a car to drive to the workshop site. Please let us know if we can help you identify other participants flying in with whom you may share this expense or we may be able to identify someone coming from the vicinity to pick you up, depending on your flight schedule.