The Annual Village Heritage Award

Written By: Sandi Rogers, Cashiers Historical Society | Issue: August 2023

In 1996 a group of individuals met and organized with the purpose to preserve the history of Cashiers.  It was also in 1996 that Cashiers Historical Society was formed.

During most of the first years of the Society, the membership was dedicated to the preservation of the Zachary-Tolbert House.  However, the membership remained focused on its overall mission to preserve the heritage of the entire Cashiers Valley through stewardship, advocacy and education.

To help ensure the character of the Valley, CHS began taking a more proactive role in raising awareness for the Valley’s historic buildings and commissioned architectural historians to research and assemble a list of historic sites in Cashiers.

From this research CHS established the annual Village Heritage Award twenty years ago in 2003.  The purpose of the award is to recognize and celebrate annually the historic preservation in Cashiers of an existing structure that has been nominated by local residents.

Based on the criteria, residents nominate a property that is an adaptive reuse of an older existing structure and also, enhances village feel and a sense of community. Additional criteria include that the property has an attractive landscaping using native material and moderate lighting.  Nominees must also be located within certain boundaries.

Past recipients beginning in 2003 are Alexander Gardens, the Van Epp House, Viewfinders Building, Mountain Laurel Shops, Zonnie Sheik Cottage, Tommy’s Café, Laurelwood Mountain Inn, Village Green Commons, Cashiers Community Center, Old Cashiers Post Office, Cashiers-Glenville Recreation Center, Dovecote House, Fiddlehead Designs, Grace Anglican Church, Sashay Around, Cornucopia, Narcissus, Hotel Cashiers, Whiteside Art Gallery and McKee Properties.

Nominations for the 2023 Village Heritage Award must be submitted in writing.  Nominating forms will be available at CHS office or found online at cashiershistoricasociety.org/village-heritage-award beginning Friday, August 4 with nominations due Friday, September 1.   Presentation of the Village Heritage Award will be at the annual Preservation Celebration with the date of the event to be announced later.

A final thought: Dwight Young of the National Trust for Historic Preservation on a visit to Cashiers in 2021 stated “In truth, every area has its own character, which defines its heart.  How that community grows and continues to be defined relies on the preservation of its character.”

Knowing the history of an area’s buildings helps generations to see the past.  Fortunately, CHS is a group that has an interest in preserving the Cashiers of yesterday and today for tomorrow.