By Victoria Ewing Ware
Guest Writer
A key element of the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association mission is to preserve the heritage of Clay County, N.C. including that history that began long before Clay County was formed. The heritage and culture of the first residents of this area, the Cherokee people will be celebrated at the 12th Cherokee Heritage Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.
As early as 1550, in what is now Hayesville, there was a thriving community of Quanassee, part of the Valley Towns district of the Cherokee nation. The core of Quanassee was located around Spikebuck Mound, north of town on the bank of the Hiwassee River. You can visit this historic archaeological site constructed long before the first English explorers arrived in the area in the 1690s with a short walk on the Quanassee Path.
The Quanassee Path is a 2+ mile Cherokee Heritage Trail that links several exhibits and provides opportunities to learn about the Cherokee culture through art, historical displays and nature. The Cherokee Cultural Center located in the Moss Memorial Library houses art, books, maps and artifacts from the area. Around the corner from the library, visit the stunning 2022 mural of a Cherokee man painted on the side of the Clay Chamber of Commerce building. The Clay County Historical & Arts Council’s Old Jail Museum contains numerous examples of Cherokee heritage and related historical information.
Adjacent to the museum is the outdoor Cherokee Homestead Exhibit which includes a replica of a 17th century winter house, a summer house, garden, dug-out canoe, public art and is the site for the Cherokee Heritage Festival. South of there is the Cherokee Botanical Sanctuary, home to many varieties of native plants.
Two new sections were recently added to the Quanassee Path. One section runs from Town Creek to the botanical park and includes a footbridge across the creek. The other donated to Hayesville by Shelah Whitney runs along Town Creek.
Each September CCCRA shines a spotlight on Clay County’s Cherokee history by hosting the Cherokee Heritage Festival. This is a free family-friendly affair featuring Cherokee dancers, artisans, tours of the Cherokee Botanical Sanctuary and activities for children of all ages.
Next week in part 2 read about what to expect at the 12th Cherokee Heritage Festival.