If you are a car enthusiast, be sure to save some time to visit the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum [https://www.grovewood.com/antique-car-museum] located in Grovewood Village adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn. It is only 2 ½ miles from Applewood Manor at 111 Grovewood Rd. The museum was founded by Asheville’s legend, Harry D. Blomberg, to showcase his prized collection of vintage automobiles, including a rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham as well as antique automobiles dating back to the time of wooden steering wheels and polished brass headlights. Here are some of the cars on display:
- 1915 Ford Model T Touring Car (Copperhead)
- 1916 Willys Overland Touring
- 1925 Dodge Touring
- 1926 Cadillac Seven-Passenger Touring Sedan
- 1927 LaSalle Phaeton
- 1927 REO Flying Cloud
- 1928 Chandler Sedan
- 1928 Pontiac Sedan
- 1929 Chevrolet Sedan
- 1929 Ford Model A Coupe (with rumble seat)
- 1932 Chevrolet Coupe
- 1940 Buick Century
- 1940 Packard Coupe
- 1950 MG TD Roadster
- 1954 Cadillac Sedan
- 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
- 1959 Edsel Corsair
Harry D. Blomberg was one of Asheville’s greatest benefactors. He made a fortune in the automobile industry as Asheville’s Cadillac-Pontiac dealer and remained an active businessman, civic leader, and leader in the Jewish community until his death in 1991. He belonged to the Kiwanis Club, the Masons, and the Shriners and served on the board of directors of St. Joseph Hospital. He saved Julia Wolfe’s boarding house, Old Kentucky Home, from demolition in 1941, then sold it back to the Wolfe family three months later because he believed it belonged to them. The house is now a memorial for Julia’s son, famed author, Thomas Wolfe. Blomberg named the museum after Cathryn Estes, the first wife of General Motors president EM Estes, and Barbara Winn, granddaughter of Pontiac executive Lonnie Holmes.
There is more to meet the eye at Grovewood Village than automobiles. The historic site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, a force in American craft that was originally backed by Edith Vanderbilt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property serves as an arts and crafts destination preserving an important part of Asheville’s history. In addition to the Antique Car Museum, the facility includes working artist studios, and the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum remembering Asheville’s weaving industry. For more information go to https://www.grovewood.com/antique-car-museum.