Vann House State Historic Site

Saturday, Feb 22^nd, Tony and I went to Georgia to do a little hiking at Fort Mountain State Historic Park… and we passed this Historic Site on Rt 52 between Chatsworth and Dalton. so we stopped.
It is a beautiful park and we had gorgeous 65 degree sunny weather to enjoy the park.
We stopped at the park and went in. During the 1790s, James Vann became a Cherokee Indian leader and wealthy businessman. He established the largest and most prosperous plantation in the Cherokee Nation, covering 1,000 acres of what is now Murray County. In 1804 he completed construction of a beautiful 2 ½-​story brick home that was the most elegant in the Cherokee Nation. After Vann was murdered in 1809, his son Joseph inherited the mansion and plantation. Joseph was also a Cherokee leader and became even more wealthy than his father.
When In the 1830s almost the entire Cherokee Nation was forced west by state and federal troops on the infamous Trail of Tears. The Vann family lost their elegant home, rebuilding in the Cherokee Territory of Oklahoma. Today the Vann House survives as Georgia’s best-​preserved historic Cherokee Indian home. A guided tour allows visitors to see the house which features beautiful hand carvings, a remarkable «floating» staircase, a 12-​foot mantle and fine antiques
It cost only $ 6 per adult to tour the site including the museum inside the Visitors center and the outer buildings around the plantation home.
At the park visitors center there are some restrooms and picnic tables for your use. NO grills and there is a small gift shop.
Hours: Thursday-​Saturday /​9AM-​5PM
Last tour begins 45 minutes before closing (gates locked).
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

FACILITIES:
* 109 Acres
* Guided House Tour
* Visitor Center (film, exhibits and artifacts)
* Gift Shop
* ½-​Mile Nature Trail
* 6 Picnic Tables
* Bus Parking

We had a trip to the Vann House on our radar for quite some time. They do an annual candle-​lit tour of the house and a few buildings on the grounds. And I’m glad we went! This place was quite the glimpse into our state’s past. There’s enough here to make any history buff happy – a wonderful educational experience for all ages, with an interpretive center that is rich with information.
The house is a very nicely restored Mansion once owned by a Cherokee Chief, James Vann. Construction on the house was completed in 1804. The «Friends of the Chief Vann House» take a great deal of pride in their restoration efforts, and there are plenty of volunteers around during the candle-​light tour to clue you in on history and trivia about the occupants.
They don’t seem to pull any punches when talking about the Trail of Tears, and how the Cherokee were treated back then. Vann House was working plantation with slaves, so there is also a good deal of information about the treatment of the estate’s slaves, getting down to some history on specific individuals. The amount of research that has been done on the Vann House is impressive.
They also have «Vann House Days» during the summer. And the site is not far from New Echota Historic Site. Next time we’ll visit both when we’re in the area. Holler if you’re coming with.

Old restored mansion from late 1700s owned by Chief Vann of the Cherokee Indian people. Lovely historic home that is a sad reminder of the Trail of Tears. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.