Preserving Regional History & Cultural Heritage

The Society's early focuses were the state’s tri-centennial celebration in 1970 and the national bicentennial celebration in 1976. By providing commemorative items, such as coins, ashtrays and books, CHAPS worked for Cherokee County to be designated as a Bicentennial Community. Support for the establishment of a National Overmountain Victory Trail project was another focus of early efforts.

During the 1970s, CHAPS supported the efforts of its membership in the publication of local history books including Cherokee County Through the Lens of June H. Carr, The Journal and Genealogy of Michael Gaffney, The Old Iron District, and A History of Limestone College. Projects to find and record all available cemetery marker stones, identify and list items on the National Historical Register and the placement of official South Carolina Historical Markers at significant sites around the county were initiated and continue.

During the next three decades, CHAPS participated in many projects and offered numerous educational opportunities, such as the creation of the Gaffney Residential Historic District, a Downtown Historic Business District, maps of county cemeteries and historical locations, videos of historical sites, publishing the Cherokee County Pictorial, cleanups at the county’s Furnace Mill site, Beaverdam and Mulberry Church restorations and tours to Smith’s Ford, Dillsboro, Cooperville Iron Works, etc.

In 1992, a property transfer resulted in the moving of the 1887 Possum Trot Schoolhouse from its original location. Clemson University donated the structure and Hamrick’s Inc. generously permitted the use of their nearby land for its use as a living history site. Recently, Possum Trot was relocated on-site to the historic mustering grounds at the Cherokee County Museum. 

In 1999, Society members voted to purchase the historic Central Elementary School building and property. Through the support of members, local residents, area businesses and local and state governments, a Grand Opening Gala of the Cherokee County History & Arts Museum was held on May 17, 2008. Since then, CHAPS has continued the renovation and expansion of the facility, resulting in the development of interactive children’s STEM rooms, a local sports hall of fame, archives, research areas and additional exhibit and rentable spaces. With thousands of visitors each year, the Cherokee County Museum, as it is now called, has become a top destination for the community. 

In 2001, the old Gethsemane Methodist Church Cemetery was donated to CHAPS, and the site was dedicated as the Vinson Blanton Burying Ground during the annual Overmountain Victory March on October 7, 2002. The site contains fifty-five gravesites of local families, including veterans of the American Revolution. 

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