Chief Vann House Historic Site

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Chief Vann House

The Chief Vann House is located near Chatsworth, Georgia. It is Georgia Historic Site and is on the National Register of Historic Places. West of Chatsworth, Route 225 leaves the main highway and heads south. As the road rises the dramatic brick house suddenly appears as if out of nowhere. The house has a commanding view of all land around it and a stunning view of the Cohutta Mountains, fewer than 10 miles to the east. This brick home is one of the oldest remaining structures in northern third of the state of Georgia since 19th century of the Cherokee Nation (see New Echota). The brick house was built in 1804 by Chief James Vann. He lived in his dream home until he was killed at Buffington’s Tavern in 1809. Joseph Vann, his favorite which was neither his youngest or eldest child, then inherited the house.

Chief Joseph "Rich Joe" Vann.

Cherokee Chief Joseph "Rich Joe" Vann (b. Near Chatsworth, Georgia, February 11, 1798 - d. in the explosion of his steamboat, the Lucy Walker during the race October 6, 1844) was already prominent enough at age 20 to merit a visit from President James Monroe in 1819. Through the 1820's Rich Joe proved every bit as shrewd as his father James and expanded the family wealth. He was also the first Assistant Chief of the Cherokee Nation under the new 1839 Constitution, serving with Principal Chief John Ross as a statesman for the Cherokee nation. After the Georgia Gold Rush, Joseph hired a white man to run the plantation. Although the man never actually worked for Vann, the Cherokee had unknowingly violated a new Georgia law forbidding whites from working for Cherokees without a permit. The infamous Georgia Guard tried to take over the house. A man, Spencer Riley, who claimed to have won the house in the Land Lottery of 1832 also tried to take over the house and Rich Joe, his wife and family were caught in the midst of the struggle between Riley and the Guard. Col. Bishop, leader of the Guard, took a smoldering log and threw it on the cantilevered steps, smoking Riley out of the house. It was not long time until Joseph and his family were finally forced out of the house in March, 1835 for having unknowingly violated a new law making it illegal for Native Americans to hire whites. After this episode Joseph and his family fled and eventually settled in Webbers Falls, Oklahoma by following the Trail of Tears. They never returned to Georgia or their house. Joseph eventually established a steamboat line that operated along several rivers. On October 6, 1844, while his steamship Lucy Walker was headed to New Orleans, a boiler exploded sinking the ship, killing him and 60 passengers.

[edit] Restoration Museum and Robert E. Chambers Interpretive Center

In November of that year Col. Bishop imprisoned John Howard Payne for 13 days on the grounds. Payne, noted as composer of "Home, Sweet Home" had been charged with sedition for supporting the claims of the Cherokee over the state of Georgia in Vann House. After many years and many owners, Vann's house was altered and expanded through 1952. The house passed through numerous hands and was in disrepair; its roof had come off and the elements were taking their toll. At the time, the sites like Vann House were purchased by the Georgia Historical Society and State of Georgia. A restoration project began in 1952 and was completed 12 years later, officially opening to the public in 1958. Now it became one of Georgia state parks including New Echota where Vann's Tavern is. The State of Georgia, Cherokees, and others donated to build a museum called the "Robert E. Chambers Interpretive Center" in 1999 next to Vann House. It was opened on July 27, 2002 to public and honor the Cherokee people and their history. The new center also highlights the lives of Chiefs James and Joseph Vann while featuring the history of the Cherokee Nation over the past 200 years, including the infamous Trail of Tears.

[edit] Tour of the Vann House

When you are given a guided tour of the Vann House you will most likely enter through the dinning room door. You are stepping in one of the most preserved Cherokee home in existence. In the dinning room they have set out for you the typical Cherokee meal such as turkey and ham. Also in the dinning room you notice how the floor goes from a smoother surface to more of a rough surface in the north part of the room. The last private owner who owned the house used it as a storage facility for the last few years he owned it. He stored hay throughout the house which unfortunatlly rotted through the floors, so when the state bought the house in the 1950's they had to replace all of the floors on the downstairs only able to salvage the north part of the dinning room. The hallways possesses one of a few very unique staircases with the "floating staircase".