Byron Herbert Reece, “Georgia’s Appalachian Poet/Novelist” spent most of the forty plus years of his life, laboring as a subsistence farmer on his family’s homestead. His love of literature and gift for writing led to the publication of four volumes of poetry and two novels, all of which received national critical acclaim. The Farm and Heritage Center seek to acknowledge and honor both his literary legacy and his life in Southern Appalachia. The Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center is located one mile north of Vogel State Park on U.S. Highway 129 and south of the town of Blairsville.
The Grand Opening is scheduled for Sunday, June 3rd, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Those who visit the venue on this day will have free admission and will be the first to explore the farm and heritage center, learning about “Hub” Reece and his life as a farmer in the mountains of North Georgia.
Visitors to the site will find a Welcome Center with a gift shop and museum area; a Poetry Trail that highlights Reece poems representing the four seasons, inscribed on stone boulders; Mulberry Hall, the poet’s writing studio; five barn buildings housing 13 exhibits which feature home and farm artifacts, implements, and enterprises that portray life in Appalachia during the first half of the 20th century; and the Reece Gallery & Theater, located in the loft of the main barn, which will display photographs, books, copies of Reece’s writings, and other Reece material, along with the showing on a large screen TV of the award-winning video, “Voices … Finding Byron Herbert Reece.” In addition, visitors to the site stroll down a scenic walking trail along beautiful Wolf Creek.
At the Welcome Center, there will be brochures available that will guide visitors through a tour of the various exhibits. Docent-led tours will be available by reservation to large groups, such as school children and tour busses for a fee. A family of five may enter for a fee of $15.00, with additional members of the family paying the amount applicable to his/her age. Current members of the Reece Society will be admitted without charge. This opening represents many years of dedication and hard work by the Byron Herbert Reece Society. The newly constructed Pavilion will be available for family reunions, weddings, and other events, for a fee.
The Farm & Heritage Center will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. For further information, contact the Reece Society at reecesociety@gmail.com, or visit the Society’s website at www.byronherbertreecesociety.org.
