Hiwassee River Heritage Center

Mission: To discover and preserve the important stories of the community and share them accurately and appropriately with everyone, but especially future generations.

The Hiwassee River Heritage Center was once a small bank branch that sat empty for almost three years. Through fundraising, “friendraising,” and big dreams realized, the Charleston-Calhoun-Hiwassee Historical Society purchased the property and renovated it to become a heritage center. HRHC Phase I was opened in May 2013 with a goal to expand as soon as possible. More fundraising including federal grants, foundation grants, corporate gifts and individual giving, saw a dream realized with the Phase II addition and reopening of the newly expanded Hiwassee River Heritage Center in March 2019.

Offers a place to discover important stories in the Charleston-Calhou area and more at this recently opened interpretive center, designated by the National Park Service as a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.