Hiwassee River Heritage Center

08/26/2026

A Spoonful of Flavor, A Vote for the Best! 🥄🫘

The International Cowpea Festival and Cook-off is coming up Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 in downtown Charleston, TN!

For just $5, a souvenir spoon gets you tastings from the competing chefs and serves as your ballot to vote for your favorite dish in the Cowpea Cook-off.

The festival also features live entertainment, local vendors, family activities, a photo contest and plenty of food and fun for everyone.

Spoons are available in advance at the Hiwassee River Heritage Center, while supplies last.

Come get your spoon, taste your way through the cook-off and be part of this beloved Charleston tradition!

Learn more about the festival:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/yc3w3pms
Plan your visit today:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/Hiwassee-River-Heritage


Tennessee | Fall Festival | Cowpea Festival | Foodies | Charleston TN

08/10/2026

A Look Back at the Twin Cities. 📖

Discover the history of Charleston and Calhoun with “Hiwassee Twin Cities After the Civil War,” presented by Laura Bryan Spann, a Calhoun native and CCH Historical Society researcher.

The presentation will take a closer look at a period of unrest that created divisions among communities and families during the Civil War. Learn how residents of Charleston and Calhoun worked to move forward in the years that followed and discover how the “twin cities” grew from 1868 to the present day.

Along the way, Spann will highlight the schools, churches, and businesses that played an important role in shaping both communities and their shared history.

⭐ When: Sunday, Aug. 16 at 3 p.m.
⭐ Where: Hiwassee River Heritage Center

Meetings are free and open to the public.

Plan your visit today:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/Hiwassee-River-Heritage


Charleston | Calhoun | local history | Historical Society

07/29/2026

The Countdown is On! 🎉 🥄

One of Charleston's favorite traditions is almost here! The International Cowpea Festival and Cook-off returns to downtown Charleston, Tennessee, on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, bringing a full day of great food, live music, local crafts, family activities and hometown fun.

The festival celebrates Charleston's rich agricultural heritage while bringing the community together for one unforgettable day.

From the famous cowpea cook-off featuring professional chefs to entertainment throughout the day and a vibrant marketplace, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Mark your calendar, gather your family and friends, and get ready to celebrate one of Southeast Tennessee's most beloved traditions!

Come visit us today:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/Hiwassee-River-Heritage
Be sure to visit the website for updates about this year's festival:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/Cowpea-Festival-Home

Tennessee Vacation Visit Cleveland TN Cowpea Festival | Charleston TN | family fun | local tradition

07/24/2026

Honoring the Remember the Removal Riders. 🚴

Last month, the Hiwassee River Heritage Center was honored to welcome the Remember the Removal Bike Ride participants as they retraced the path of their Cherokee ancestors along the Trail of Tears.

Their journey is a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, and enduring spirit of the Cherokee people. It was a privilege to be one stop along their route and to witness their commitment to preserving this important history for future generations.

The stories of the Trail of Tears continue to be shared every day at the Hiwassee River Heritage Center.

Plan your visit and learn more about the history that shaped our region:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/Hiwassee-River-Heritage

Visit Cleveland TN Tennessee Vacation
Trail of Tears | Cherokee heritage | Hiwassee River | history | remembrance

07/17/2026

Make History Part of Your Summer. ☀️📚

Summer is the perfect time to explore, ask questions, and make new discoveries together. At the Hiwassee River Heritage Center, families can experience local history through engaging exhibits, fascinating artifacts, and stories that bring the past to life.

Whether you're introducing young learners to the region's Cherokee heritage, exploring Civil War history, or simply spending quality time together, there's something for every generation to enjoy.

Create lasting memories this summer and discover the stories that make the Hiwassee Valley so unique:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/Hiwassee-River-Heritage

Tennessee Vacation Visit Cleveland TN summer learning | family activities | local history | museum | Cherokee heritage

06/30/2026

The Hiwassee River Heritage Center will be closed Saturday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. 🇺🇸

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday as you celebrate with family, friends and community. We look forward to welcoming you back during our regular hours. ❤️

06/04/2026

06/02/2026

Where Art and History Meet. 🎨

Six newly commissioned paintings are now on display at the Hiwassee River Heritage Center, celebrating the history, culture and natural beauty of the Hiwassee Valley.

Created by local artists and sisters Beth Hetzel and Becky Hetzel Fowler of Hetzel Art Studios & Gallery, the collection features native plants, wildlife and symbols inspired by Cherokee culture and the landscapes that have shaped this region. The artists spent countless hours researching their subjects and worked with advisors from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to help inform the artwork.

Funded through Visit Cleveland TN's ARPA allocation, these stunning paintings offer a new way to experience the stories of the Hiwassee Valley and the people who have called it home.

Visit the Hiwassee River Heritage Center to see them in person:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/Hiwassee-River-Heritage


art | history | culture | Charleston TN | heritage center

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day from the Hiwassee River Heritage Center. 🇺🇸

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice allows us the freedoms we enjoy every day, and we are deeply grateful for their courage and dedication.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day as we spend time with family, friends, and our community. ❤️

05/13/2026

The upcoming Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society meeting will feature the unveiling of newly commissioned paintings that will soon be displayed on the exterior walls of the Hiwassee River Heritage Center. 🎨

Artists Becky Hetzel Fowler and Beth Hetzel of Hetzel Art Studios & Gallery will discuss the inspiration behind the works, the historical elements featured in the paintings, and the creative process that brought them to life. The paintings were commissioned by Visit Cleveland TN.

Join the Historical Society for this special look at how art and local history come together to tell the story of the Hiwassee Valley.

⭐ When: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3 p.m.
⭐ Where: Hiwassee River Heritage Center

Meetings are free and open to the public.


art | history | Charleston TN | heritage | community