About Sautee Nacoochee
 |
Twin magnificent and historic valleys – named according to lore and legend for two star crossed lovers of warring Native American tribes - make up the unincorporated area of White County that has become a pivot point for the arts, activism, community and preservation. The Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys – both listed on the National Register of Historic Places – are primarily the naturally occurring, lowland landscape punctuated by the sites and assets that give the area its vibrant character. Even the mapping department in White County asserts that Sautee Nacoochee defies definitive boundaries as pride of place has propelled innovative expansion.
Dedicated to Preserving and Protecting
Although Sautee Nacoochee lacks conventional city government, clearly the "mayor" of this hamlet is the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the region and to nurturing the creativity that thrives here. The Association maintains the Sautee Nacoochee Center, a restored red brick schoolhouse, that is home to dual galleries, a history museum showcasing Cherokee heritage, gold strikes, timber and railroads, the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, art and dance studios, a heritage site and nature preserve, an intimate theater, an environmental studies room and a conference and special event facility. The Community Association was instrumental in establishing the official Historic Districts and brought acclaim to Sautee Nacoochee by securing its nomination as one of “The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America.”
Arts programming, among other endeavors, remains one of the Center’s most valuable community resources. In addition to fostering children’s activities in music, dance, theatre and visual arts, the Center hosts the 50 member Sautee Nacoochee Community Chorale, art studio workshops, speaker luncheons for seniors, gallery exhibits, Contra dances, feature films, sustainable living forums and Open Stage nights. The Center’s six week long SummerFest is highlighted by the home grown folk life play, Headwaters, now in its fourth season, which serves as an unvarnished Valentine to and about the people, places and perceptions that shape the Valleys, and is consistently ranked as a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society.
Gracing the outdoor stage on Center grounds in September is the annual two-day music fete, Sautee Jamboree, which has grown in size and stature since its inception. A casual and family friendly gathering on lawn chairs and blankets, the Sautee Jamboree brings together as many as nine bands with roots firmly planted in many genres - bluegrass, country, jazz, blues, rock, even Zydeco -over the course of the festival. The 2010 jam reached new and auspicious heights with the star sets of Michelle Malone and the Grammy award winning, Indigo Girls.
Sautee Nacoochee Center
The Sautee Nacoochee Center also participates in the Northeast Georgia Arts Tour – a four county self-guided walking and driving tour of studios, galleries and shops with demonstrating artists – by mounting the 12 Rivers Art Festival, a juried selection of exhibitors offering fine art and craft from around the Southeast. The Center’s own galleries offer a rotating medley of work that can be viewed at local banks and libraries. See the Sautee Nacoochee Center’s entire schedule of events, as well as volunteer and membership opportunities by logging on to www.snca.org
Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia
Connected to the Center by a glass enclosed walkway is the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia. Constructed of native Southern yellow pine with shade porches and steeply sloping rooflines reminiscent of open pottery sheds, the Folk Pottery Museum allows visitors to interact with exhibits that trace 200 years of the region’s folk pottery history. Dioramas, videos, narratives, displays and photos document the evolution of pottery from its mid-1800’s utilitarian use to today’s decorative, highly collectible pieces. The fascination with earth, water and fire endures with contemporary folk potters, many of whom may be found on the Museum- researched Folk Potters Trail. Experience the timeline of this nationally known, grassroots arts form by visiting www.folkpotterymuseum.com
Beautiful Surroundings
For visitors who relish living history and architectural assets Sautee Nacoochee offers some of the most photographed sites in North Georgia. Configured within a few miles of the intersection of Highways 17 and 255 are the storybook covered bridge, Crescent Hill Baptist Church, a community raised Amish barn and the gazebo ornamented Indian Mound – gracefully surrounded by black and white cows like a protective necklace.
Savor all that is Sautee Nacoochee.
