Chief Vann House
State Historic Site
Called the "Showplace of the Cherokee Nation", this two-story classic
brick mansion was built by Chief James Vann in 1804. Decorated with beautiful Cherokee
hand carvings done in natural colors of blue, red, green and yellow, the home features a
cantilevered stairway and many fine antiques.
Although Vann was "Feared by many and loved by few," he contributed more to
the education of the leaders of the Cherokee Nation than anyone else. He was responsible
for bringing the Moravian missionairies to his people to teach the children and he
supported the Christian civilization as a means of progress for the Cherokee. Still an
Indian, Vann was a polygamist who had three wives and five children. He was killed in 1809
for having shot his brother-in-law during a duel the previous year. Vann's young son,
Joseph, inherited the house and his father's various businesses.
The Vann House passed out of the hands of the family when "Rich Joe" Vann
unknowingly violated state law by hiring a white man to work for him. The government
seized his properties and the house was awarded to a white land lottery winner in 1834.
ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS (Subject to Change)
Moravian Christmas
Chief Vann House Days (July)
Located on the outskirts of Chatsworth
at the Intersection of Georgia 225 and Georgia 52
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Fort Mountain State Park
Cohutta Wilderness Area
New Echota State Historic Site
Chieftains Trail
HOURS
Open year-round
Tuesday - Saturday, 9AM - 5PM
Sunday, 2PM - 5:30PM
Closed Mondays (except on some legal holidays)
Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Small admission fee. Group rates available with advance notice. Bus parking available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Chief Vann House
State Historic Site
Route 7, Box 7655
(706) 695-2598
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GEORGIA'S PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES:
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Communications Office
205 Biutler Street SE, Suite 1258
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 USA
(404) 656-3530
Toll-Free in Georgia: (800) 342-7275
Toll-Free outside Georgia: (800) 542-7275
Information for this page provided by the Chatsworth-Murray County Chamber of Commerce (706-695-6060).
