Photo courtesy of Sierra Hayes Photography Beal Center Executive Director Claudia Musgrave.
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Clay Counties Beal Event Center has a new person in the directors chair. Claudia Musgrave officially became Executive Director of the Beal Event Center on December 1, 2023, but she had been volunteering at events there for more than a year.
Many locals may know Musgrave as the owner of Blair Creek Nutrition. Through her business, she met a lot of people from around the community over the past few years. That led her to helping out with various events, such as Festival of Trees at the Beal Center.
It was her continued presence as a volunteer which prompted members of the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association board to suggest she apply for the executive director role when it opened. “After lots of thought and prayer, I decided to sell my business and go for this,” Musgrave explained.
When asked to describe her job, Musgrave laughed, “I handle everything except the accounting. I do the bookings, some cleaning, decorating, whatever is needed.” She studied business, marketing and management during her time in college, which included time at a branch of the University of Tennessee.
She is excited to follow her vision for the Beal Center. “I want it to become a go-to spot and keep local businesses involved as much as possible,” she smiled. “I want there to be a happy medium which brings community involvement and community outreach, but also business-minded, too.”
Paul Price, CCCRA Director and Chairman of the Historic Courthouse Committee, said they are pleased Musgrave took the job. “We are very excited to have Claudia join the Beal Center team,” he said. “She brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for serving our community and its citizens.” CCCRA has overseen the Historic Courthouse, now known as the Beal Center, since restoration began several years ago.
In Musgrave’s words, “CCCRA is still over the Beal Center. We are a leg on the chair at which it sits.” She listed the additional improvements which have been done since the restoration. “Acoustic panels have been added, as well some other little details and touches,” she said. “It still has that classic look but 21st century modern combined together so everyone is happy. If it was not for the generosity of Ron Beal helping with the restoration, we would not be here. He is one of the most sincere people I have ever met.”
Musgrave shared some of the events which will happen on the Hayesville Square for 2024. “We are bringing back movies in the square, which will appeal for the younger community of teens and families with kids,” she said. “Concerts in the square and Halloween will be on the square again. The Festival of Trees was amazing. As long as I’m involved, we will have things for kids.”
Musgrave grew up in a small town about an hour north of Memphis, Tenn. She moved to western North Carolina three years ago, to be closer to her parents, who had moved to the area while she was in college. They live in the Hiwassee Dam area, but are looking to move to Clay County.
“I did not know about the Beal Center and wondered what that cool, old building in town was,” she added. “A lot of other people I have talked to have never been in here and don’t know what it is either.” She encourages everyone to check it out.
The Historic Clay County Courthouse is now the Beal Event Center, located at 25 Herbert Street in Hayesville. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturdays by appointment only. Call (828) 415-1623; visit: www.bealcenter.org or like The Beal Center on Facebook.