Photo by Tess Thomas A paper cake about six feet tall, was constructed of paper products and adorned with numbers representing the decades.
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
How do you celebrate a 50th anniversary? Well, the Clay County Historical & Arts Council threw an anniversary celebration at the Beal Center.
All past and current board members were invited to the celebration on Thursday, April 18. Then stories were shared by some of the folks who were involved in CCHAC 50 years ago.
Jane Hindsman recounted the early days of CCHAC in 1974. “Gertrude Price was part of a beautification group, which CCHAC came from,” Hindsman said. Some other highlights she mentioned: a monthly newsletter called Artifacts; CCHAC had interns, one of whom helped bring Licklog to fruition. It later became the Peacock Playhouse.
Harry Baughn talked about his work with CCHAC. “I was a photographer and I taught some classes for them,” he said. “One time we got the whole North Carolina Symphony to Hayesville in the high school gym. People cheered, yelled and stomped their feet. The conductor told them they’d never had a reception like that.”
Fannie Watson talked about the Nelson Village the group could not take on, and the Thompson House, which had to be torn down. When Watson was a social worker, a client had shown her a quilt made by her relatives on the Trail of Tears. The lady agreed to donate the colorful quilt filled with history to CCHAC for its Old Jail Museum, where it still hangs.
Watson smiled as she talked about the first Festival on the Square. “I never slept the night before because you’re so worked up about what could go wrong,” she added. “I love this Historical & Arts Council. It is very close to my heart.”
Sandy Mazza pointed to a necklace she was wearing, showing how it depicts all of the main historical buildings in town — the old courthouse, Old Jail, Kelly’s Drugstore and more. She also reminisced about the first few Festivals on the Square. “Charles (Penland) would stripe off where the booths would be,” she said. “We used to have all of the civic organizations as part of it. The Lions Club, Civitans and even Boy Scouts.”
Rob Tiger ended the evening of memories with a song, after sharing a few memories of his own. “Our band, The Fires Creek Outlaws, used to play at the courthouse door. Clay Logan was part of it,” Tiger laughed. “The first time we had the festival, we had professional traveling musicians. Later we started giving local entertainers the opportunity to perform.” Tiger organized the entertainment for many years, starting in the 1980’s. “Patty Moore took it over and does a great job.”Then Tiger sang “Lightning Road.”
CCHAC president Reba Beck talked about the organization’s accomplishments since Feb. 6, 1974, when they were designated a nonprofit. She introduced David Anderson, whose family donated a collection of Gideon Laney photographs in the 1980’s. The photos are being displayed at the Old Jail Museum. Anderson presented Beck with a decades old copy of the Clay County Progress, which talked about the photos.
Some other highlights of the evening included:
• The late Carl Moore was honored for his contributions of a book about Clay County, which has benefited CCHAC.
• An inspiring rendition of “Amazing Grace” by Annie Lloyd.
• A “cake” about six feet tall, surrounded with delicious cupcakes.
• A delicious array of finger food.
• Tables of scrapbooks and old photos, along with some more recent.
• Recognized Old Jail Museum docent Molly Seaver for her years of service to the museum.
• List of some of the group’s regular achievements, such as: adult and student art instruction, drama camps, concerts on the square, “Songwriter’s Showcase” sponsor and much more.
The event program described Clay County Historical & Arts Council. “Fifty years of history is worth pausing to reflect on a foundation laid, a vision developed and a mission constantly moving forward,” the back page said. “Laying a foundation for this organization was in the hands of several persons who saw the crumbling remains of what had been the Clay County jail from 1912 to 1972. As they sought to save the building form decay, the visions for preserving the history of the county led to developing exhibits telling stories of the Cherokee people, early pioneers and the African-Americans who lived here. Efforts to preserve history soon expanded to include promoting the arts and providing art activities free to the schools and community. Providing free programs meant becoming a Designated County Partner with the North Carolina Arts Council, annual grants and regular reporting of activities and accomplishments.”
Beck and CCHAC co-president Marsha Christy reminded everyone about the Old Jail museum officially opening for the season on Memorial Day weekend. Volunteers and new members are always needed, the ladies said.
Visit: www.clayhistoryartsnc.org or the CCHAC Facebook page for more photos and information. The Old Jail Museum is at 21 Davis Loop Road in Hayesville.