Across town from the Biltmore Estate,
a group of concerned citizens drew inspiration
from Vanderbilt’s successes and in
1899 established the Appalachian National
Park Association to lobby for protection
of vast areas of the southern Appalachian
region. Led by Chase P. Ambler, its secretary
and treasurer, the association turned
a regional interest into a national movement
that culminated in the passage of the
Weeks Act 100 years ago this year. Ashe -
ville is indeed where the forest preservation
movement took root.