Saturday, Feb. 6, will be particularly busy at the Chief Vann House State Historic Site in Chatsworth, Ga., with five intersecting activities during the day.
Two last all day. Three others take place in the afternoon.
First, a bit of history about the property. The house is named for James Vann, a Cherokee Indian leader and businessman in the 1790s who established the largest and most prosperous plantation in the Cherokee Nation, covering 1,000 acres of what is now Murray County. In 1804, he completed construction of a 2 1/2-story brick home that was the most elegant in the Cherokee Nation.
After Vann was murdered in 1809, his son Joseph inherited the mansion and plantation. Joseph also was a Cherokee leader and became ever more wealthy than his father.
When the Cherokee Nation was forced west by state and federal troops in the 1830s, the Vann family were relocated to the Cherokee Territory of Oklahoma and lost their elegant home in North Georgia. Today it survives as Georgia's best-preserved historic Cherokee Indian home.
The two daylong activities, which last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., are ongoing history programs and part of a series of Hidden Gems events in Georgia state parks.
* Trail of Tears Starting Point: This program challenges visitors to find the mark made when the Georgia Militia tossed a burning log onto the staircase of the mansion to smoke out the Vann family in March 1835. "The mark is still clearly visible and is one of the only definite individual starting points on the Cherokee Trail of Tears," says the website.
* Mad About Maps: In February, the Vann House is displaying an extensive collection of antique and rare maps throughout the mansion. One of the oldest even marks the former "Vann Town."
The three afternoon programs are:
* Food Preservation and Sustainable Living with DIY Vinegar: From noon to 1 p.m., visitors will learn how the Vanns made vinegar, a skill necessary for self-sustaining farm families for use in canning, medicine and cleaning. Guests will take home a bit of vinegar to try later.
* Introduction to Archery: From 1 to 4 p.m., visitors can learn the basics of this hobby using longbows, recurve and compound bows. The activity, which repeats Saturday, Feb. 20, is open to ages 8 and older, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. Call 706-695-2598 for more information.
* Tea Time: From 2 to 3 p.m., rangers will set up tea and coffee the way the Vann family and other residents served and drank it in the early 19th century. Visitors may enjoy a beverage and cookie to learn about this bit of Vann House history. Email questions to redtop.programmers@dnr.ga.gov.
Programs at Chief Vann House State Historic Site, 82 Georgia Highway 225 N, are free with regular admission: $6.50 adults, $6 seniors 62+ and $5.50 youths 6-17. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and last tours begin 45 minutes before closing.
For more information, call 706-695-2598 or visit gastateparks.org/ChiefVannHouse.