Historic Hayesville Inc & Partners Showcase Historic Downtown
Wayfinding Signage & New Banners
Wayfinding signs are an asset for downtown areas and Hayesville is no exception due to occasional lack of connectivity with GPS in our county. New signage has been in the Hayesville Small Town/Main Street work plan during the past 2 years. HHI Board members have collected photos of various examples for good directions when traveling to regional meetings.
The Small Town Design and Promotion committees will be working on a final prototype to attract visitors and provide directions to historic downtown Hayesville.
The committees have also worked on new banner designs and a downtown map for walking and cycling trails.
STMS/HHI Board members discussed options for new downtown banners at their February 2018 meeting with a presentation from Tony Wiegold, owner of Signs Fast.
Banner designs have now been finalized. There are a limited number available and examples can be seen around downtown. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to stop by HHI next to the Post Office to view a sample with the final coloring and detail, complete an application form, customize as required and choose a location.
In addition to new wayfinding signs and banners, a vintage, custom wood sign will be restored, refinished and relocated on Hwy 64 Bus on approach to downtown across the street from the Quanassee Trail entry below the Old Jail Museum. STMS/HHI volunteers will complete the project.
Update -- the Welcome Sign has been Restored
HHI volunteer Stan Rasmussen (L) was joined by Steve Johns and Tommy Davis of Woodhaven Construction on March 18, 2021 to install the refurbished wooden sign on Hwy. 64 Business.
Motorists will now see a restored welcome sign after passing around the traffic circle and Moore Plaza as they travel toward downtown Hayesville. The sign was originally designed by Ted Cotton Sr. in 1972 to welcome visitors but was later replaced by new signage at Highway 64 intersections. Historic Hayesville Inc. recovered the sign for a restoration project in conjunction with Clay County Historic and Arts Council and Clay County Communities Revitalization Association. Stan Rasmussen volunteered to repair the wood surfaces, updated the historic courthouse steeple motif and matched original paint colors to complete the project.
Information about these downtown projects is available at the HHI Exhibit. If you would like to support these projects, a donation can be made using a PayPal Account or Credit Card.
Wayfinding Signage & New Banners
Wayfinding signs are an asset for downtown areas and Hayesville is no exception due to occasional lack of connectivity with GPS in our county. New signage is in the Hayesville Small Town/Main Street work plan. HHI Board members have collected photos of various examples for good directions when traveling to regional meetings.
Once the multi-year DOT main road improvements are finished, the Small Town Design and Promotion committees can begin working on a final prototype to attract visitors and provide directions to historic downtown Hayesville.
The committees have continued to maintain and update the very popular Downtown Map that assists visitors explore Hayesville town. The Downtown map can be picked up at several locations about town.
Downtown banners, made by local business, Signs Fast , are being replaced as necessary. There are a limited number available and examples can be seen around downtown. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to stop by HHI next to the Post Office to view a sample, complete an application form, customize as required and choose a location.
In addition to new wayfinding signs and banners, a vintage, custom wood sign will be restored, refinished and relocated on Hwy 64 Bus on approach to downtown across the street from the Quanassee Trail entry below the Old Jail Museum. STMS/HHI volunteers will complete the project.
Update -- the Welcome Sign has been Restored
HHI volunteer Stan Rasmussen (L) was joined by Steve Johns and Tommy Davis of Woodhaven Construction on March 18, 2021 to install the refurbished wooden sign on Hwy. 64 Business.
Motorists will now see a restored welcome sign after passing around the traffic circle and Moore Plaza as they travel toward downtown Hayesville. The sign was originally designed by Ted Cotton Sr. in 1972 to welcome visitors but was later replaced by new signage at Highway 64 intersections. Historic Hayesville Inc. recovered the sign for a restoration project in conjunction with Clay County Historic and Arts Council and Clay County Communities Revitalization Association. Stan Rasmussen volunteered to repair the wood surfaces, updated the historic courthouse steeple motif and matched original paint colors to complete the project.
Information about these downtown projects is available at the HHI Exhibit. If you would like to support these projects, a donation can be made using a PayPal Account or Credit Card.
Historic Hayesville, Inc. Centennial Exhibit
The Centennial Exhibit changes the display items with the seasons or for special occasions and events and has many unique items for purchase that make wonderful gifts.
There are several rooms to explore, each offering a glimpse into the life and times of the area from long ago. The Exhibit is open on Fridays and Saturdays 11am to 4pm from April through December. Tours are available by request - please contact us by email at historichayesvilleinc@gmail.com or call (828) 389-9898.
Friends of Historic Hayesville volunteers start cleaning and setting up new displays early each year to get ready for the new season at the HHI Centennial Exhibit.
Click on the room names for a preview and watch for display updates.
Reception Area
Visitors are warmly greeted by volunteers in the reception area. The small, packed room is full of local area information and maps together with some very special, very old items, photos, books and ledgers. Many volunteers are long time residents and are happy to share stories of by gone times in Hayesville. The rooms are for self exploration but questions are encouraged and a volunteer can act as your guide.
Quilt Room
Historic Hayesville, Inc has a quilt room that is full of beautiful handcrafted quilts on loan for display. Of particular note is a Civil War era quilt and it has a story to tell.
The quilt pictured here is on loan from the Dan and Joey McGlamery Collection. It is estimated to be 150 years old!
The quilt was set together (bordered) with material from the wedding dress of Martha Ann McClure Killian. Martha Ann was the first wife of Dr. Daniel Wilkensen Killian and mother of Dr. Paul Bismark Killian. Martha Ann was also Dan's great-great grandmother. Martha Ann and Dr. Daniel Killian were married on August 27, 1861. She died in October or 1877 at the age of 37 and is buried in the family plot in Hayesville, NC. This quilt survived the Civil War by being buried under the Killian family's smokehouse. It is a prized piece of Killian history. It was passed down to her son, Dr. Killian, to his daughter, Ora McGlamery, and to her son, Dan McGlamery.
Many traditional and modern quilt designs are also on display. The display changes from time to time so there is always something new to see.
Christmas is a special time when the quilt exhibit includes seasonal masterpieces and there are gifts available for purchase.
Other items on display include books, photographs, paintings and even bumper stickers. There are some handcrafted items many of which have a story to tell too.
By way of example, this church model is made from the old split wooden shingles that used to cover the fixed awnings over the sidewalks in downtown Hayesville from the 1970’s to 2016. The model is based upon a historical photograph of the Union Hill Baptist Church on Burnt Schoolhouse Road, prior to its renovation and additions. The church roof lifts off to show the rows of pews etc. inside. This model was handcrafted by local attorney and historian, Gary Nichols.
Selections by other local area artisans are also on display and some are available for purchase.
Hayesville History Room
One of the rooms in the Exhibit is dedicated to items and articles from times past in Hayesville. Stories and photographs of individuals and industries make for very interesting eye-opening reading of how life used to be.
A visitor may find it difficult to believe that "back in the day", when the creation of the TVA Lake Chatuge was to displace 500 families, the project was put on hold because one of those families had a member who was seriously ill and could not be moved. The whole story can be read in the original newspaper articles that are available for view.
Artifacts and photographs highlighting the vibrant lumber industry and train line of yesteryear, fill shelves in the room.
On a top shelf you can see an exquisite local hand made lap dulcimer instrument – no wonder “music in the mountains” is synonymous with the Smokies and its people.
This was hand crafted by Gordon Parris, a local farmer who became a very accomplished craftsman. He designed and hand made many different mountain musical instruments including the famous Appalachian Mountains lap dulcimer. His instruments still play and all display his wonderful craftmanship. He also hand-crafted furniture and gunstocks.
Veterans Room
The Centennial Exhibit Veterans Room displays photographs and other war time memorabilia from the Civil War forward through the years to honor generations of soldiers.
Many photographs, together with uniforms and weapons and other items of interest, have been loaned by local families for display.
Some of those photographs are placed around the Veterans Memorial on the square for the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities in partnership with Allison Bristol VFW Post 6812 and the George Lee American Legion Post 532.
Hayesville is the only town that participates in the NC Small Town Main Street program that has a room dedicated to veterans.
The quilt is a fitting tribute.
Reference: The cartoon above has been specifically created for Historic Hayesville Inc to use by Paul Jamiol, an author, illustrator and cartoonist. The numbers for Iraq and Afghanistan are as of 8/31/2017.
Early Farmhouse Room
The Centennial Exhibit features an early kitchen/early home room complete with old but still working kitchen "appliances". Many of the once essential tools of the kitchen are now unrecognized and baffle young visitors as to their use.
Many local families have loaned items for the education of all.
Trash/Recycle Receptacles for the Square
A Small Town/HHI project for new trash/recycle receptacles was unveiled in 2018 in front of the Town Hall and was completed in 2021 with all available receptacles placed around the square.
This project was steered by the Design Committee and used a local business to produce the receptacles which are placed inside the historic courthouse square and around downtown. Several examples of the trash and recycling receptacles can already be seen around the square. Each one has a beautiful aluminium representation of the courthouse. The recycling receptacles have a slightly different top design with smaller openings to discourage real trash disposal.
All receptacles were made by Lidseen of North Carolina, Inc. of Hayesville and were delivered in August. Ray Swanson and Melvin Swanson from Lidseen of NC set up this recycle bin with STMS Design Committee Chair Deborah Nichols. The recycle bin was produced as part of a grant received by the town and is paired with one of the waste bins donated by Clay County Communities Revitalization Association.
The recycling receptacles have been purchased using a grant from the Division of Environmental Assistance & Customer Service. Trash receptacles have been purchased by Historic Hayesville Inc., which is looking for donations from organizations or individuals to offset this expense. Recognition will be given to those who make donations to Historic Hayesville Inc. for at least one trash receptacle.
A small plaque will be placed on the trash receptacle, such as the one shown here, that is in recognition of the donation from the American Legion Family. The American Legion Family of Post 532, including Sons of American Legion and Post 532 Auxiliary, combined their three contributions for a waste bin which will be located on Herbert Street close to the Veterans Monument.
2020 Steins and Wine Event was cancelled.
2021 Steins and Wine Event was posponed until May 21st 2022.
Plans are underway and we expect several NEW participants.
More details to follow but in the meantime, check out the 2019 event info and participants.
The 2019 Steins and Wine Around the Square
AND
“A Taste of Hayesville”
featured
Mountain Area Wineries and Breweries
and food from area restaurants.
An annual favorite, a fundraiser sponsored by Historic Hayesville Inc. for downtown projects, the 2019 ticket sales will be donated to the Clay County Historical and Arts Council for Old Jail Museum repairs.
From late afternoon into the early evening, this event signals that the fall season is upon us and is a wonderful way to kick off seasonal activities, festivities and the holidays with friends.
Wineries and Breweries welcomed attendees as they would at their individual tasting rooms or bars.
Visitors could purchase a glass or bottle to enjoy as they relaxed listening to music.
“ A Taste of Hayesville”, that debuted at the 2018 event, has become a firm favorite and gave area restaurants an opportunity to have visitors sample their food.
Besides the wine, beer and "A Taste of Hayesville" tables, popcorn and soft drinks were available for purchase and water was available courtesy of Miller Well Drilling.
Tap images for 2019 participant information.
2019 BREWERY PARTICIPANTS
A new addition to the event this year was Wehrloom Meadery from Robbinsville, NC. Mead is neither beer nor wine although it is often referred to as honey wine. This alcoholic beverage was produced throughtout "ancient" Europe, Africa and Asia. Mead has been found in Pharoh's tombs and is the "stuff of legend" in Norse mythology. Many old scripts from around the world reference mead. There has been a resurgence in interest so for more information visit their website.
Corks and Cups showcased their wine bottle & wine glass holders, cheese slicers/servers and other host/hostess party pieces, all handmade of fine hardwoods.
Music for the evening was provided by
Moon Hamilton, A Member of the Young Harris College Guitar Ensemble, playing classical guitar & violin, and local favorites, George Boothroyd on guitar & Andy Ward on mandolin, A Musical Duo.
The list of exhibitors varies from year to year as new breweries and wineries join old favorites to make this event a “must do”.
It has been recognized as part of the "wine trail" for the Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA, (American Viticultural Area) an area of 100,000 acres of which only 130 acres are under vine – but that is continuing to grow as more “boutique” wineries get established.
Participating craft breweries are fast becoming a part of the WNC Brewers Alliance.
HHI is pleased to play a part in promoting economic growth of the area by providing this platform for new wineries and breweries to be successful.
The Hayesville Steins and Wine Around the Square event was the first of its kind in the area. It was born out of efforts by The Town 100 Committee that wanted to showcase a “Wine Around the Square” event in celebration of Hayesville's Centennial Anniversary in 2013. However, that required changes to local ordinances so that alcohol could be served. With approvals in place the event was a great success and has grown into the popular, now annual, “Steins and Wine Around The Square” of today.
This event is a Historic Hayesville, Inc. fundraiser to benefit downtown projects.