Support Us Button Widget

Uncover the untold stories of Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute at Pack Memorial Library

Learn about the history the historic space research station during this History Hour event.

A photo of the starry night sky at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute

Views of the night sky go for miles at PARI.

Photo by Tim Reaves

Underground tunnels with nuclear missiles, a secret submarine base, an city of aliens beneath the surface — these are a few of the myths that surrounded the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) after it was taken over by the Department of Defense during the Cold War. Former CIA executive Craig Gralley will take you deep into PARI’s lore at Pack Memorial Library’s “History Hour: The Untold Stories of PARI.”

Craig will lead the journey from PARI’s past to its present with information from his latest book, “Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute: An Untold History of Spacemen & Spies.”

The free event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 10:15 a.m., hosted by Buncombe County Special Collections and the Asheville Museum of History. Register to attend, or join from home via Zoom.

More from AVLtoday
In partnership with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Buncombe County will acquire Deaverview Mountain, meaning the 343-acre mountaintop tract will be conserved as a public park.
Spirit Halloween will strike South Tunnel Road twice, with stores in neighboring shopping plazas.
At this year’s North Carolina Awards, all recipients have made a valuable impact on WNC. Meet the locals who earned NC’s highest honor.
The City of Asheville has partnered with a UK-based entertainment company to begin initial phases of developing a public-private arts facility.
The shop announced it will reopen this November inside The Wyre in the upper RAD. Did we mention there will be dessert pizza?
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Whether you love them sliced or only baked in a pie, local apples taste better when they’re picked fresh.
Hit up these bars + restaurants to see the upsets on the big screen.
Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village and Zadie’s Market in Marshall received $50,000 grants through the trust’s Backing Historical Small Restaurants program.
The art market is throwing “Take II,” a bash celebrating its return to the River Arts District nearly a year after Helene.