The mission of the Cashiers Historical Society is to preserve the heritage of the entire Cashiers Valley through stewardship, advocacy, and education. In 2003, CHS began taking a proactive role in preserving the valley’s historical character by raising awareness of its historic buildings.
A preservation committee commissioned architectural historians to research and compile a list of historic sites in Cashiers. From this research, CHS established the annual Village Heritage Award.
Based on the criteria, residents nominate a property that is an adaptive reuse of an older existing structure and enhances the village’s feel and sense of community. Additional criteria include that the property has an attractive landscaping using native materials and moderate lighting. Nominees must also be located within certain boundaries.
The 2025 Village Heritage Award was presented to The Library Kitchen & Bar for their continued preservation of the Monteith-Jennings House, located at 184 Cherokee Trail, Sapphire, NC 28774.
The Library Kitchen & Bar is a prime example of the thoughtful reuse of a historic structure. The Jennings family originally owned the property as a working farm that sustained their neighboring resort, the Fairfield Inn. The Monteiths lived in the house at the center of the farm, which provided produce and livestock for the Fairfield Inn. After E.H. Jennings died in 1947, the land surrounding the house was subdivided and developed into the Sapphire Valley resort. The two-story, weatherboarded, side-gable house retains its original center-hall plan and some of its original horizontal wall and ceiling sheathing.
The Monteith-Jennings House was a critical part of early tourism in our area, and the Cashiers Historical Society is thrilled that The Library Kitchen & Bar has thoughtfully adapted the site into a restaurant known for its hospitality.
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, and The Orchard.
A Preservation Celebration was held on October 30, which included a community gathering and the unveiling of the VHA plaque.
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