Clay County Historical and Arts Council

Clay County Historical and Arts Council The Clay County Historical & Arts Council was formed in 1974 to preserve the local History and Native Arts and Crafts of Western North Carolina. Mrs.

~OUR MISSION STATEMENT~

According to our By-Laws, the mission of the Clay County Historical & Arts Council is to sponsor and encourage educational activities in Clay County Schools, the Community and surrounding areas, with particular emphasis on the Historical and Cultural Heritage and Visual, Performing and Literary Arts. How We Began~

In recognition of the need to preserve the local History

and Native Arts and Crafts of Western North Carolina, the Clay County Historical and Arts Council was established through the efforts of the Clay County beautification Committee in January 1974. By the end of February, 1974, the Council had gained enough support from Clay County residents to be incorporated. Gertrude Price was elected as the first president. It was under her direction that the Clay County Historical and Arts Council began operations. Out of the early community theater founded by the council in June, 1974, the Licklog Players emerged. The Mountain Community Chorus was also a direct result of early Council activity in September, 1974. It is important that every viable Arts Council has a home out of which to operate. Through the efforts of the then county commissioners, the old Clay County Jail building was secured for the purpose of housing both a History and Arts museum. The building has also served as a center for cultural events in the county throughout the years. Several additions to the building such as the Gertrude Price room and Dr. Killian’s office have been added over the years so that what now functions as the Historical and Arts Council Museum truly represents early life in the Carolina mountains.

The votes have been forwarded to our Board~ Stay tuned to find out what our newest video series will be called! THANK YO...
08/29/2026

The votes have been forwarded to our Board~ Stay tuned to find out what our newest video series will be called! THANK YOU to everyone that commented, called and emailed votes in!

What a wonderful celebration of Appalachian voices at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville! Scribes on Stage...
08/27/2026

What a wonderful celebration of Appalachian voices at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville! Scribes on Stage: Appalachian Storytellers brought the region’s rich history, humor, heart, and traditions to life through the power of spoken storytelling.

Thank you to the storytellers, organizers, and everyone who attended for an unforgettable evening honoring the traditions and creativity of our mountain communities.

https://youtu.be/AOt0kY-AEJM
**Volume is high for our hearing-impaired viewers, adjust to your personal comfort level**
**Capturing the evening on camera came with a unique lighting hurdle in the theater, but the powerful stories and warm atmosphere still shone through.

Step into the colorful world of watercolor with Qinghong Wei in CCHAC’s latest Artist Spotlight Video Series. Filmed at ...
08/24/2026

Step into the colorful world of watercolor with Qinghong Wei in CCHAC’s latest Artist Spotlight Video Series. Filmed at the beautiful Starry Farm in Hayesville, North Carolina, this feature introduces Qinghong’s expressive work, creative process, and passion for sharing art and community with others.

As a watercolor artist and teacher serving communities throughout Western North Carolina and North Georgia, Qinghong inspires students and art lovers alike through her dedication to creativity, learning, and connection. Watch, enjoy, and discover the artist behind the brush.



https://youtu.be/iLUk1yjtCKU
https://clayhistoryartsnc.org/artist-spotlight

The Yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the small demonstration plot in the Clay County Native Botanic Garden is ...
08/23/2026

The Yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the small demonstration plot in the Clay County Native Botanic Garden is now in bloom. These flowers will transform into seedheads which will be eaten by songbirds. This native bunch grass is very ornamental, grows readily from seed and tolerates a wide range of soil types, growing best in full sun. The plant provides year-round cover for birds and mammals and is highly resistant to deer grazing.

We would love more of your feedback on our new Video Series Name~
08/14/2026

We would love more of your feedback on our new Video Series Name~

Help Us Name Our New Website FeatureThe Clay County Historical & Arts Council is launching a brand-new interview section...
08/01/2026

Help Us Name Our New Website Feature

The Clay County Historical & Arts Council is launching a brand-new interview section on our website—and we need your help naming it.

This upcoming feature will showcase interviews with newcomers to Clay County, conducted by our Media Representative, Tess Thomas. We’re excited to highlight the stories of those who came from somewhere else but have chosen to make Clay County their forever home.

We’ve come up with a few name ideas to get things started:

1~Stories From Elsewhere

2~Welcome to Clay County

3~Planting Roots in Clay County

4~Newbies

5~You Came From Where?

6~Clay County Transplants

7~You’re Not From Here, Are Ya?

8~Enter your own

Do you have a favorite from the list, or a creative idea of your own? We’d love to hear it! Cast your vote in the comments by including the number of your choice—and if you’re posting on behalf of someone else, be sure to include their name as well.

Our board members will vote on the final name at their next meeting in early September, so be sure to get your input in before voting closes on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Midnight Sharp!

If you share this post for us, please make sure people know to comment on This Original Post on Facebook. Comments on your pages will not be seen nor counted.

THANK YOU!!

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Help Us Name Our New Website FeatureThe Clay County Historical & Arts Council is launching a brand-new section on our we...
08/01/2026

Help Us Name Our New Website Feature

The Clay County Historical & Arts Council is launching a brand-new section on our website—and we need your help naming it.

This upcoming feature will showcase interviews with newcomers to Clay County, conducted by our Media Representative, Tess Thomas. We’re excited to highlight the stories of those who came from somewhere else but have chosen to make Clay County their forever home.

We’ve come up with a few name ideas to get things started:

1~Stories From Elsewhere

2~Welcome to Clay County

3~Planting Roots in Clay County

4~Newbies

5~You Came From Where?

6~Clay County Transplants

7~You’re Not From Here, Are Ya?

8~Enter your own

Do you have a favorite from the list, or a creative idea of your own? We’d love to hear it! Cast your vote in the comments by including the number of your choice—and if you’re posting on behalf of someone else, be sure to include their name as well.

Our board members will vote on the final name at their next meeting in early September, so be sure to get your input in before voting closes on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Midnight Sharp!

If you share this post for us, please make sure people know to comment on The Original Post on our social pages.

THANK YOU!!

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

The American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) is one of two species common in the mountains of NC. We have a bumper crop th...
08/01/2026

The American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) is one of two species common in the mountains of NC. We have a bumper crop this year in the Clay County Native Botanic Garden. This nut is not as tasty as the commercially grown varieties (also known as filberts or cobnuts) but just as appealing to the squirrels. The quirky fringed husk will be dried out in a month or two and will split to reveal the round brown nut inside. Early settlers and Native Americans roasted them and ground them into flour for filbert bread. A tea was made from the bark to treat fever and hives.

CCHAC’s One on One with Clay County History continues with a fascinating conversation featuring Lisa Turner and Jerry St...
07/29/2026

CCHAC’s One on One with Clay County History continues with a fascinating conversation featuring Lisa Turner and Jerry Stadtmiller—an inspiring couple whose shared passion for aviation has shaped a lifetime of craftsmanship, storytelling, and preservation.

Jerry Stadtmiller is a skilled builder and restorer of antique airplanes, dedicated to bringing aviation history back to life through careful craftsmanship and a deep respect for early flight.

Lisa Turner is the author of seven books, a few of which are: *House Keys: The Essential Homeowner's Guide, *Your Simplest Life: 15 Unconventional Time Management Shortcuts – Productivity Tips and Goal-Setting Tricks So You Can Find Time to Live, *Dream Take Flight: A Shy Girl Breaks The Rules, which is about the building of her own airplane, and *For the Love of an Airplane; which is about Jerry.
She also writes articles for the Clay County Progress newspaper and several magazines, including Kit Planes, Vintage Airplanes & Sport Aviation. Her work reflects a unique blend of practical knowledge and heartfelt storytelling, often inspired by her experiences and interests.

Together, Lisa and Jerry share their journey, their love of aviation, and the meaningful ways they contribute to preserving history in Clay County and beyond.

In this episode, viewers will discover:
*The art and process behind restoring antique airplanes
*Personal stories from a life immersed in aviation
*Insights into Lisa Turner’s books and writing journey
*The importance of preserving history through both craft and storytelling
For a guided tour or information on BIPE, Inc. use the following links to connect with Jerry.

Jerry Stadtmiller
BIPE Inc.
6138 Airport Road
Andrews, NC 28901-9165
(561) 818-4221
Email: [email protected]
WEB: www.Bipeinc.com

Join us

https://youtu.be/xlaNp4RqCQ8
https://clayhistoryartsnc.org/one-on-one-with-clay-county-history

Address

21 Davis Loop Rd
Hayesville, NC
28904

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18283896814

Website

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