The City of Asheville, in collaboration with Western Carolina University (WCU), FEMA, and the State Historic Preservation Office, has completed a key phase of the archaeological assessment at Riverside Cemetery. This assessment is a critical step in ensuring that historic and cultural resources are protected as the City moves forward with stump removal and continued restoration efforts following the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
During the week of March 10, WCU students from the forensic anthropology program conducted fieldwork as part of their spring break service project. Their expertise supported the identification of historically sensitive areas, helping to guide best practices for debris and stump removal. The project is being carried out under FEMA Environmental Historic Preservation guidelines to balance necessary cleanup with the preservation of significant cultural resources.
The assessment findings will inform the next steps for debris management within the cemetery, allowing for continued progress in reopening the site to the public. The City will provide updates on the project timeline as work advances.
For more information about the recovery process click here.