Historic Vann House opens its doors this weekend

Relive 19thcentury life during Vann House days

Explore the lives of 19th- century Cherokees and Moravians by experiencing some of the same pioneering skills and games during Vann House Days this weekend at the Vann House historic site in Chatsworth, Georgia.

The historic mansion, the Cherokee farmstead, the slavery exhibit, lawns and gardens will be open 10 a.m .-4 p.m. Saturday, July 28, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, July 29.

Using a hands-on approach to learning history, Vann House Days brings the past alive with activities regularly under- taken by 1800s families. Visitors will join volunteers in corn grinding, churning butter, stickball, dart blowing and more.

Volunteer hosts and demonstrators will be spread throughout the grounds. The Vann House and grounds will be open for self- guided tours and staffed with volunteers from Friends of the Vann House to answer questions.

Abby the Archaeo Bus will be on- site Saturday, hosted by the Society for Georgia Archaeology. This traveling classroom helps kids learn about archaeology through puzzles and artifacts inside the bus. A real archaeologist will be inside the bus to answer questions and talk about an archaeologist’s work.

The Vann House was built in 1804 by James Vann, wealthy Cherokee chief and tradesman. The half- Scottish, half- Cherokee performed many interesting deeds until his murder in 1809. His son, Joseph Vann, nicknamed “Rich Joe,” inherited the plantation and businesses.

The Vann family was violently removed from their home in 1835, three years prior to the Trail of Tears, and their plantation was split apart by white settlers. The restored home stands today as a reminder of the Cherokee legacy in Georgia.

STAFF FILE PHOTO The Chief Vann House State Historic Site is located at the intersection of Georgia Highway 255 and Highway 52A.