Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress James Cross, an artisan brick mason, hand-turned many of the bricks on the Old Jail Museum during the renovations several years ago
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
As small as Clay County is, there are many non-profits making a big impact. Clay County Historical & Arts Council is one which has been around for decades- five of them to be exact. This week, the series on local non-profits continues by telling all about CCHAC, an important organization for local students and many other residents.
CCHAC plays a role in sharing local history, as well as cultural events. Probably most well-known for the Old Jail Museum and the annual Festival on the Square, CCHAC regularly brings arts and history to the community. All of these and more, exemplify the mission of Clay County Historical & Arts Council, “To sponsor and encourage educational activities in Clay County Schools, the community and surrounding areas, with particular emphasis on the historical and cultural heritage, and visual, performing and literary arts.”
Let’s look at some of these. The Festival on the Square is known throughout Western North Carolina as a family-friendly place to enjoy Appalachian music, visit arts and crafts booths and grab a variety of tasty food. Always held the second weekend in July, the event kicks off on Friday evening with a downtown Hayesville street dance. The main event lasts all day Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. The July 10 edition of the Clay County Progress will feature the complete schedule of events.
Whether you are new to the area or have lived here many years, the Old Jail is recognized as the big brick building on the hill as one enters downtown Hayesville. Built in 1912, the Old Jail Museum received major renovations in 2019. These included turning the building’s bricks and restoring them to their original color, as well as replacing the windows, installing new flooring and painting the inside. New storage and electrical help feature artists alongside the regular exhibits. There is even an old jail cell, a replica of the sheriff’s family kitchen, part of a doctor’s office, authentic Cherokee artifacts and more. The museum is free, thanks to grants and donations. The Old Jail Museum is at 21 Davis Loop Rd.
Behind the Old Jail Museum, CCHAC maintains a Native Botanic Garden. Complete with walking trails and quiet places to sit, the garden was carefully planned to contain only native plants, many of which attract birds and butterflies. Guests are welcome to visit the garden anytime of day.
Over the years, CCHAC has hosted many events for Clay County School students to be exposed to the arts. Thanks to funding from the organization, kids have created face mugs with Rob Withrow, seen jazz performances on their school stage and learned from historical performances. Some have benefited from drama camps, poetry contests, and more. CCHAC also helps sponsor and promote some of the free weekend community concerts on the Hayesville Square. Events are constantly being planned by the volunteers who oversee CCHAC so check the schedule online to learn more.
Reba Beck, co-president of Clay County Historical & Arts Council, shared her perspective. “Celebrating 50 years as an organization has given opportunity for us to reflect on our mission to provide art programs to the community and educational experiences for our schools. We have been able to look back with great satisfaction as we keep check on the how we have fulfilled this mission.”
Clay County Historical & Arts Council was established in Jan. 1974 from efforts by the Clay County Beautification Committee to preserve local history and native arts and crafts of Western North Carolina. By the end of Feb. 1974, they had enough support from Clay County residents to be incorporated. It was under the direction of their first president, Gertrude Price that Clay County Historical & Arts Council began.
The council founded a community theatre in June 1974, which spawned Licklog Players. Mountain Community Chorus was also a direct result of early council activity in 1974.
Through Clay County’s Board of Commissioners at the time, Clay County’s old jail was repurposed to house a history and arts museums. Additional exhibits added over the years help the museum represent early life in the Carolina mountains. The Festival on the Square started several years later and will celebrate 44 years in 2025.
During its fifty years, Clay County Historical & Arts Council has touched a lot of residents from very young to some of the oldest and many in between. They have also engaged with local and visiting artists, historians and those who enjoy Native American lore.
Many board members and other volunteers have been part of the group for decades themselves, but more help is always needed. Volunteer opportunities range from once-a-year, to several times per year. To learn more about programs, volunteering or how to help financially, visit: www.clayhistoryartsnc.org.
Clay County Historical & Arts Council is supported by grants from The North Carolina Arts Council, The Town of Hayesville, The Fred A. Moss Charity Trust Fund, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, N.C. Humanities, Granny's Attic Thrift Store and generous donors.