The Chief Vann estate included several hundred acres at the time of the early 1800s. It was owned by the Cherokee Chief James Vann. During the Trail of Tears, the family was forced out. The home was built in 1804. One of the most historic homes in Georgia is that of Chief James Vann in the area known as Murray County, Georgia. James Vann was part Cherokee and European descent, but very influential in the Cherokee nation. He was born in the mid-1760s and died about five years after he built the house. It was not destroyed during the Civil War, and is worth visiting. The family became one of the wealthiest families on the east coast. The home is the only original building on the property. There is a fifteen minute film to watch before touring the home. The guided tour is included in the admission and very reasonable. See the three story house similar to the way it was when it was built. Also, on the property are 1800-era cabins built by Cherokee from the general area. They were moved and set up to give an idea of what it was like during that time. President James Monroe is probably one of the most famous guests who stayed overnight because of a snow storm during his 1818-1819 presidential tour. The Chief Vann house was used as the first Western School & Christian Mission. The Moravian missionaries were among the first in the nation to work among the Cherokee. Also, they began the first Christmas Celebration in the house, and so the historic site has hosted a tradition since 1978 of lighting the home with around 300 candles or so. It is a major undertaking, but is a sight to see. The Vann’s lost their home and the missionaries were forced to discontinue their work due to the Trail of Tears. More can be learned by contacting the historic site.
H ISTORIC HOME BUILT 1804
Chief Vann House Historic SIte Address: 82 GA-225, Chatsworth, GA 30705 Phone: (706) 695-2598 Website gastateparks.org/ChiefVannHouse