Background

Chief Vann House Historic Site: Showplace of the Cherokee Nation

Explore Georgia's best-preserved Cherokee plantation home, the Chief Vann House, and discover the history and culture of the Cherokee Nation.

4.7

Visit Georgia's best-preserved historic Cherokee Indian home, the Chief Vann House, also known as the 'Showplace of the Cherokee Nation' [2, 6]. Built in 1804 by Cherokee leader James Vann, this elegant two-story mansion offers a glimpse into Cherokee life in the early 19th century [2, 3].

A brief summary to Chief Vann House Historic Site

Local tips

  • Take the guided tour to see the beautiful hand carvings and unique 'floating' staircase inside the house [2, 6].
  • Explore the grounds, including the nature trail and 19th-century Cherokee farmstead [2, 9].
  • Check out the visitor center for exhibits about the Vann family and the Trail of Tears [2, 12].
widget icon

Getting There

  • Driving

    The Chief Vann House Historic Site is located at 82 GA-225, Chatsworth, GA 30705. From I-75, take Exit 333 in Dalton and go east on GA Hwy 52 to Alt Hwy 52, then turn right [3, 10]. Continue to the intersection of Alt. 52 and Hwy 225 at the 4-way stop and turn left onto Hwy 225; the Vann House is immediately on the right [10]. Parking is available on site [3].

Unlock the Best of Chief Vann House Historic Site

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Chief Vann House Historic Site

The Chief Vann House, located in Chatsworth, Georgia, stands as a testament to the history and cultural assimilation efforts of the Cherokee people in the early 19th century [2, 5]. Constructed in 1804 by Chief James Vann, a wealthy Cherokee leader and businessman, the mansion was the first brick home in the Cherokee Nation and became known as the 'Showplace of the Cherokee Nation' [3, 4, 5]. Vann, whose father was a Scottish trader and mother was Cherokee, established a prosperous plantation covering 1,000 acres [5, 6]. He invited Moravian missionaries to educate Cherokee children, and they contributed to the house's construction [3, 5]. The house features beautiful hand carvings, a remarkable 'floating' staircase, a 12-foot mantle, and fine antiques [2, 3, 6]. The doors, known as Christian doors, feature a cross and an open Bible [5]. Visitors can take a guided tour of the house and explore the grounds, including a nature trail, a 19th-century Cherokee farmstead, and the Vann Kitchen/Workhouse Exhibit [2, 9]. The site also includes a visitor center with exhibits about the Vann family, the Cherokee Nation, and the Trail of Tears [2, 12]. After James Vann's death in 1809, his son Joseph, also a Cherokee leader, inherited the house [2, 6]. In the 1830s, the Cherokee Nation was forced west on the Trail of Tears, and the Vann family lost their home [2, 6]. Today, the Vann House survives as a reminder of the Cherokee legacy in Georgia [2, 7].

Popular Experiences near Chief Vann House Historic Site

Popular Hotels near Chief Vann House Historic Site

Select Currency