Cherokee County Museum

The Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society, Inc. was formed in 1969 by a group of citizens concerned about the rapid loss of Cherokee County's historical heritage to development and progress.  The group now consists of nearly two-hundred members and has taken great strides to educate the public about the significance of the county's numerous historical sites.  The Society is pleased to announce the opening of the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum at 301 College Drive in Gaffney, South Carolina on May 17, 2008.  The artifact-based, interactive facility adds a new dimension to the area's already rich culture.  In addition to the History & Arts Museum, CHAPS, Inc., owns Possum Trot School, located at Exit 102 on I-85, and the Vincent-Blanton Burying Ground. CHAPS is often involved in the upkeep of the Furnace Mill historic site, a property owned by Cherokee County, by assisting volunteers in periodic cleanups.  Located at Furnace Mountain and once known as Nesbitt's Furnace, this Revolutionary War ironworks has been damaged extensively by vandals.  While the mill was destroyed by fire, the waterwheel remains.  The mill was still in use during the 1960s. Built in 1869 as the first African American church in the area, Mulberry Chapel is constructed of clapboard over a log frame.  The building has not been used for regular services since the 1940s.  CHAPS, Inc., is currently in negotiations to assist in the stabilization of the structure.