Field Trips - Chief Vann House | Department Of Natural Resources Division

Ranger-Led Programs

To book a field trip, call 706.695.2598.

Group rates (15+): $4.75 for youth, $6.00 for adults
General admission: $5.50 for youth, $6.50 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (62+)

Rate changes effective July 1, 2023

Group rates (15+): $5.25 for youth (6 - 17), $6.50 for adults, $3.75 for 5 and unders
General admission: $6.00 for youth (6 - 17), $7.00 for adults, $5.25 for seniors (62+)

Guided Tour of Chief Vann House, Grades: K-12

Explore the Vann House with a ranger from top to bottom, inside and out. Discussion topics can vary from historic life without electricity (youngest ages) to an in depth discussion about the 1830 Indian Removal Act.

Program length: 30-45 minutes
Program cost: Standard Admission/Group Rates
GSE: SS2H1, SS2H2, SS2G2, SS3H1, SS3H2, SS3G3, SS4H2, SS8H2, SS8H4, SS8H5, SSUSH7, SSUSH10

Guided Tour of the 19th-Century Cherokee Farmstead: Grades K-12

Explore three restored, antique, hand-crafted cabins made by the Cherokee people of the early 19th century. This farmstead exhibit includes a corn grinding activity and interpretive gardens to highlight the plants and crops Cherokee used for daily life. Interpretive gardens are seasonal.

Program length: 30-45 minutes
Program cost: Standard Admission/Group Rates
GSE: SS2H1, SS2H2, SS2G2, SS3H1, SS3H2, SS3G3, SS4H2, SS8H2, SS8H4, SS8H5, SSUSH7, SSUSH10

Cherokee Tools and Weapons During Assimilation: Grades K-12

See a comparison of tribal, pre-contact tools next to the European variations that Cherokee adopted into their culture as colonists ingrained themselves into North America. Great program for discussing where crafting materials came from and how they could be used.

Program length: 30-45 minutes
Program cost: Standard Admission
GSE: SS2H1, SS2H2, SS2G2, SS3H1, SS3H2, SS3G3, SS4H2, SS8H2, SS8H4, SS8H5, SSUSH7, SSUSH10

Vann Kitchen/Workhouse Cabin: Grade K-12

Explore our two-story cabin exhibit that delves into the life of an enslaved African living in the Cherokee Nation. Though very little is known about the 100+ slaves who lived on the Vann Plantation, they were undoubtedly the largest source of wealth for the Vanns. Learn the history of enslavement and what became of the slaves who endured life in the Cherokee Nation.

Program length: 30-45 minutes
Program cost: Standard Admission
GSE: SS2H1, SS2H2, SS2G2, SS3H1, SS3H2, SS3G3, SS4H2, SS8H2, SS8H4, SS8H5, SSUSH7, SSUSH10

Archaeology Dig Boxes: K-8

Learn the basics of archaeology, artifacts, excavation, and laboratory work, and how archaeology has enhanced interpretation of the Vann House.

Program length: 30-45 minutes
Program cost: Standard Admission
Great for demonstrating the scientific process and expanding the conversation about historical research.

Play with Clay: Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

Give kids the chance to make their own pottery to demonstrate life without plastic and mass produced goods. Let kids take home their own piece of art they craft while learning about archaeology and pre-assimilation, Southeastern Native Americans.

Program length: 30-45 minutes
Program cost: $2 per student

Additional Information for Groups:

Call the site to set up a group tour.
Late arrivals may forfeit some of their scheduled time or guided tours of other stations.
Payment can be made at the time of arrival.
Large groups will be broken up to groups of 20-25 to accommodate space inside the Vann House. Groups of 200+ will require separate arrival times.
We are happy to reschedule for rain or freezing temps. Please call the site the day before to make arrangements wherever possible.

Ranger-Led FAQ:

Q: What comes included with the program cost?
A: Guided tour of the historic plantation home, indoor climate controlled restrooms, picnic area (holds 100), and a variety of other short programs according to time. See above.

Q: Do you offer a discount to Title 1 schools?
A: Title-one rate not offered.

Q: How do these programs relate to what I am teaching?
A: Our tours and programs are designed to explain how the Cherokee were living during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This includes daily activities and a discussion about sweeping changes across the Cherokee Nation during this time of Western assimilation. Topics include enslavement, The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Cherokee Trail of Tears, reasons behind removal, and the development of the Southern Confederacy, land use, Cherokee government, Moravian Missionaries and the Springplace Moravian Mission, and more. Students can see, touch, and smell history and learn what it really meant for the Cherokee to be pulled from their homes.

Q: Is there a cost or limit for chaperones?
A: Bus drivers and teachers that are assisting in supervision and guidance of the students will receive complimentary admission. Parents and family attending the tour will be charged the adult group rate.

Q: How early in advance do I need to book our program?
A: We request at least two-weeks advance notice. Payment can be made on the day of the event, in cash, check, or credit card.

Q: Is there a picnic area?
A: We have a picnic area that holds roughly 100 people, shade sheltered, not rain proof. Public restrooms available.

Outreach Programs

We can offer a guided, virtual tour of the Vann House. Let our interpretive ranger take you through the entire house and farmstead from the comfort of your own classroom.

Program length: 1-1.5 hours
Program cost: $2 per student

We offer a free learning tool for teachers. Call the site to request information on borrowing our Trail of Tears Association: Travel Trunk that includes a collection of items to help demonstrate the 19th-century Cherokee including pots, dolls, seeds, books, learning handouts and more. The trunk must be picked up during our normal hours of operation and returned in the same condition to the site.

Self-Guided Explorations

Educators and group leaders have the opportunity to experience the Chief Vann House on a self-guided basis. While the only way to see the inside of the Vann House is on a guided tour, self-guided exhibits include the 19th Century Cherokee Farmstead Exhibit, the Two-story Cabin-Vann Kitchen/Workhouse Exhibit, walk our 1-mile medium difficulty nature trail that takes you to our Moravian Mission site, and the indoor museum gallery. Guided tours of these exhibits can be arranged based on timing and staff availability.

The guided Vann House tour, all exhibits, trail, and parking are included in admission. Our hours of operation are Thurs-Sat: 9am-5pm, Sunday 1-5pm. Closed Sundays December-March. Tours of the Vann House are held hourly with the last tour of the day beginning at 4pm.