History of the Cashiers Historical Society

The Cashiers Historical Society was formed in 1996 as an affiliate of the Village Conservancy, Inc. to save the Mordecai Zachary House two miles south of Cashiers on Highway 107. Owner Robert Red “Bubba” Tolbert wanted to sell the home and property only to someone who would restore and preserve it.

Tolbert, did not succumb to family pressures to divide the original handmade furniture among family members, but insisted on keeping everything in tact.

Thomas and Wendy Dowden purchased the Zachary-Tolbert house in 1997, and after initial feasibility studies and fund raising, the Dowdens donated the house and adjacent property to the Cashiers Historical Society.  The Society then began an extensive restoration project executed by Lupoli Construction of Highlands under the guidance of Harris Architects of Brevard.  Now on the National Register, the Zachary-Tolbert House is open for tours and special events. And programs have been developed for local school children at the site. Generous members gifts and proceeds from the yearly Cashiers Designer Showhouse made this restoration possible.

In addition to the Showhouse, the Society annually sponsors three other major events. All begun in 2003: Founder’s Day, a hands-on event for 3rd and 4th grade students in the area, Cycling thru History, a bike ride circling Whiteside Mountain and the Village Heritage Award, to honor a business that has creatively adapted an older structure to preserve the character of Cashiers.

In 2003 the Cashiers Historical Society was awarded the prestigious Gertrude S. Carraway Awards of Merit presented each year by Preservation North Carolina

This award is presented to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to promoting historic preservation. The awards have been given since 1975 and are named for the late Dr. Gertrude S. Carraway of New Bern

In 2004 a $15,000 grant was received from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina through the Cashiers Community Fund to prepare a Master Plan for the Zachary-Tolbert House. It is presently being finalized with plans for a pavilion for meetings and special events, hiking trails throughout the property, additional archeological work and the kitchen renovation. Also additional land was acquired from Mr. Dowden making the grounds over 5 acres. 

Cashiers Historical Society receives the Albert Ray Newsome Award

On Friday October 27, 2005, at a dinner in the foyer of the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, the North Carolina Federation of Historical Societies presented the Cashiers Historical Society with the prestigious Albert Ray Newsome Award. The Federation, under the auspices of the North Carolina State Office of Archives and History, sponsors the annual Albert Ray Newsome Award recognizing outstanding achievement in preserving local history by member organizations. Albert Ray Newsome served as secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission and as professor of history at UNC-Chapel Hill. He was a strong advocate for the study and preservation of local history. 

The Cashiers Historical Society stated in it's nomination for this highly coveted state-wide award that it had engaged in a multi-faceted on-going campaign to preserve the local history of Cashiers Valley and to become a model for Historical Societies interested in inspiring others to preserve their local communities. The Society received a $250 cash prize and a framed certificate.

The Cashiers Historical Society activities over the last 18 months include:

Restoration of the 1850 Zachary-Tolbert House

Construction of a Visitor Center

Archaeological Dig -  at the Zachary-Tolbert House, funded by a grant from the George E. Crouch Foundation, finding evidence of both historic and pre-historic occupation.

Cashiers Historical Society Website - http://www.cashiershistoricalsociety.org/ offering current news about the Society, updated on a continuing basis by volunteer webmaster Carol Higginbotham

Cashiers Symposium - presenting new information from scholars, authors, and historians on a timely subject.  (2005 - William Holland Thomas; 2006 Wade Hampton III; 2007 William Bartram)

Cashiers-Highlands Chamber Music at the Zachary-Tolbert House - generously underwritten by Tom and Wendy Dowden

Cashiers Rambles - well researched day trips organized by Jane Nardy, exploring local history

Cashiers Founder's Day - bringing together all 3rd and 4th grade students in Cashiers Valley for a day stepping back into time at the Zachary-Tolbert House sponsored in part by the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley.

Village Heritage Award - annual award given to an individual or business that has preserved a historic site vital to the village character of Cashiers, chaired by Bonnie Heinsma and Bob Bryan.

Cashiers Community Gathering - a meeting, facilitated by Candace Matelic and funded in part by a grant from the Cashiers Community Fund an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, in which over 100 residents of Cashiers came together to:

1. articulate what makes Cashiers distinctive as a place, what is special about the people, what people care about—now and always—and summarize the community’s compelling issues and enduring needs 

2. explore how the community can work together to deepen appreciation of its unique heritage and preserve its distinctiveness as a place, and 

3. discuss how CHS can build a collaborative future to serve the Cashiers Valley community 

Publications: (samples were included in the application)

An Award for the Entire Community of Cashiers

"Winning the Albert Ray Newsome Award recognizes the Cashiers Historical Society and more importantly, honors the support of the many in our community, and beyond, who have made our preservation efforts possible at the Zachary-Tolbert House and throughout the area. Through gifts of time, services, and much needed money, the community has joined together to make things happen," said Jan Wyatt as she accepted the award on behalf of the Cashiers Historical Society. 

She concluded: "Our goal is to help everyone connect rich heritage, cultural traditions and customs of Cashiers with the present, as we identify and preserve that which is special about our place". 

left to right: Jo Ann Williford, North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Jan Wyatt accepting Albert Ray Newsome Award for Cashiers Historical Society, and Kevin Cherry, President, North Carolina Federation of Historical Societies 

GROUP POLICY GOAL STATEMENTS, CASHIERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, STRATEGIC PLANNING, March, 2007 

POLICY GOAL ONE:  CHARACTER OF COMMUNITY

The Cashiers Historical Society will respect, embrace, and nurture the Village character of the community.

Rationale:  This Policy Goal will comply with one of the two major statements in our mission:  ( The Mission of the Cashiers Historical Society is to foster public appreciation of the history of the Cashiers Valley and to preserve and protect the historical and cultural character of the community.)

Sub-Goals:

Actively seek appointment and involvement in key planning, design, and environmental decision-making organizations.

Identify and initiate (two to three times annually) partnerships with community-based groups to host activities on-site.

Actively engage and encourage participation by the community in our commitment and support of the Village character

Continue to develop programs reflective of our Village character.

Continue Oral History Program.

POLICY GOAL TWO:  SITE DEVELOPMENT

The Cashers Historical Society will design and implement a site that is an appealing resource for community interaction.

Sub-Goals:

Develop and implement a heritage landscape plan in coordination with archaeological efforts.

Implement a process for determining the direction of the kitchen dependency.

Determine the necessity and resources required to acquire additional properties.

Design trails on the site to provide access to key historical sites and to provide recreational opportunities for the community.

 Preserve and maintain the Z-T House, its permanent collection, the pavilion, and the grounds.

Develop and implement an archaeological program.

POLICY GOAL THREE:  MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

The Cashiers Historical Society will achieve a recognized and respected public image as a guiding force in the preservation of the heritage and character of Cashiers Valley.

Rationale: Through organization, education, and relationships, the community will value and preserve its Cashiers Valley unique heritage and character.

Sub-Goals:

Articulate and celebrate the heritage and character of Cashiers Valley.

Develop and implement a cutting-edge marketing and public relations plan.

Expand our partnerships with other community organizations.

POLICY GOAL FOUR:  PROGRAMS

The Cashiers Historical Society will engage the public in its mission by developing superior, creative, and innovative programming, research, and education targeted to the specific audiences of its constituents.

Rationale:  To engage the community and the public at large, it is necessary to maximize program results through publishing collateral materials and permanent product and web-site content.

Sub-Goals:

Develop and implement an interpretive plan for visitor experience at Zachary-Tolbert House.

Develop the necessary budget and funding resources.

Define on-site and off-site programming for the following audiences:

Cashiers Historical Society members

Children

Scholars, educators, historians, archaeologists, curators

Year-round residents

Seasonal residents

Heritage tourists

Developers, civic planners, elected officials

Affinity groups

Develop the necessary volunteer and staffing leadership to support proposed programming.

Develop criteria (including appropriate benchmarks) for evaluating results.  

POLICY GOAL FIVE:  GOVERNANCE

The Cashiers Historical Society will reexamine its Bylaws and Governance to make it a more effective organization.

Rationale:  In light of changes in Board membership, the Cashiers Historical Society will reexamine the philosophy and practices of its governance.

Sub-Goals:

Hold an annual retreat (mandatory for all new Board members and urged for all Board members), including an orientation workshop to educate the Board with the mission, goals, policies, and procedures of the Cashiers Historical Society. 

Review the Cashiers Historical Society Mission and By-laws and explore possible revisions to same.

Appoint a Coordinator of Volunteer Services who will actively engage the membership to recruit and solicit volunteers and new members from the local community.

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