Asheville Reporter

The City of Asheville, working alongside Western Carolina University (WCU), FEMA, and the State Historic Preservation Office, has reached a significant milestone in the archaeological assessment at Riverside Cemetery. This phase is crucial for protecting historic and cultural resources as the city proceeds with stump removal and restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene's damage.

WCU students from the forensic anthropology program participated in fieldwork during their spring break service project in the week of March 10. Their work focused on identifying historically sensitive areas to guide best practices for debris and stump removal. The project adheres to FEMA Environmental Historic Preservation guidelines, aiming to balance cleanup needs with the preservation of cultural resources.

The findings from this assessment will direct future debris management strategies within the cemetery, facilitating progress towards reopening it to the public. The City will continue to update on the project's timeline as it progresses.