In 1805, Cherokee Chief James Vann opened his new home to the Moravian missionaries in order to hold one of the first Christmas celebrations in the Cherokee Nation. In honor of this historic event, the Vann House Historic Site will be holding its traditional “Candlelight Tours” on Friday and Saturday, December 9th and 10th from 5 until 9 each evening. The public is invited to come enjoy the sights and smells of a nineteenth century Christmas in one of America’s best-preserved Cherokee homes. The House will be decorated with only natural greenery and handmade items similar to what the Moravians would have used so long ago.

The highlight of this year’s Candlelight Tours will be the presence of Ms. Jane Walker, an author from McRea, Ga. who has written the very historical novel centered around the lives of Cherokees and Moravians at the Springplace Misson. Titled “In the Lion’s Paw,” the book’s main character is teenager Rise Ross who is a student at the Moravian Mission School when the story opens. The novel then traces her life not only through the trials of a young girl growing up but also the tribulations she and her people faced in the 1830’s which resulted in the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee were crushed by the “lion’s paw” for forced removal from their homeland to Oklahoma.

Copies of the book will be available for $25. Guests will be able to meet the author and get autographs during both evenings of the Candlelight Tours. Walker visited the Vann House and interviewed several area residents while researching the book.

The museum at the Vann House will also be open during the event and visitors can view exhibits as well as a short film before starting the tour. Luminaries will light the paths between the museum and the Vann Mansion. Inside the house, visitors may tour at their own pace and visit with Friends of the Vann House volunteers who will be in every room to share the history of the Vanns and their home. To complete the tour guest can see four restored Cherokee log buildings, also lit by candles. Complimentary hot apple cider and Moravian cookies will be served beside a warm fireplace inside Vann’s reconstructed kitchen.

The Vann House is located at the intersection of GA. Hwy 225 and 52 Alternate in Spring Place, just west of Chatsworth. The Candlelight Tours, first held in 1978, are made possible through the efforts of the Friends of the Vann House, and auxiliary of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society. Admission to the program is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors 62 and over, $3.50 for youth 6 to 18, (plus tax), and children 5 and under are free. For more information contact the site at 706-695-2598 or vann.house.park@dnr.state.ga.us.