Downtown Brevard: A Tour of Rosenwald’s Black History
“This tour began with a woman, a church van and a story worth telling. It continues because some histories are too important to leave behind.”
Rosenwald is a historically significant African American neighborhood nestled just minutes from downtown Brevard, North Carolina. Named for the Julius Rosenwald Fund which helped build schools for Black children across the South during the era of segregation, this community carries stories of resilience, culture, faith and belonging that deserve to be heard.
This self-guided audio tour — researched, written and narrated by Nicola Karesh — takes you on a 2.5 mile journey from downtown Brevard, past the old Tannery site and into the heart of historic Rosenwald. Through archival research, oral histories and community storytelling, the tour brings this neighborhood’s past and present to life in a way no textbook can.
This tour was brought to life in partnership with community elders, historians and residents who have long been the keepers of Rosenwald’s story.
How to Experience the Tour
The tour is available through VoiceMap — a platform designed for immersive, narrated walking experiences. Download the VoiceMap app on your phone and you are ready to go.
You can experience it three ways:
* On foot in Brevard, NC — walk the actual streets and let the history meet you where it happened. Approximately 45–60 minutes.
* Virtually from anywhere — follow along from your living room, classroom or community space, wherever you are in the world.
* As a group learning experience — ideal for schools, libraries, heritage organizations and community groups. Purchase individually or contact Nicola to discuss group use.
Cost: $5.99
Purchase & Get Started
👉Click here to purchase and begin your tour:
https://voicemap.me/tour/brevard-north-carolina/downtown-brevard-a-tour-of-rosenwald-s-black-history
After your experience, please leave a review — it helps more people find their way to this history.
Group & Guided Tours
Interested in a custom guided experience for your group, school, organization or event? Nicola is available for in-person guided tours in Brevard by arrangement, as well as historical talks and presentations that can accompany or complement the self-guided tour.
Group learning experiences are also available for schools, libraries and heritage organizations — a meaningful, accessible way to bring African American history into educational and community settings.
* Custom in-person guided tours — Brevard, NC by arrangement
* Historical talks and presentations for groups and events
* Educational group experiences for schools, libraries and heritage organizations
nicolakaresh@gmail.com – To enquire about group and guided tours
“I love how we come to know each other, sharing our stories, our hearts, our rich histories and cultural backgrounds.”
— Nicola Karesh
Morning Glory Inspirations 