In 1991, an archaeological survey of 16th-century Spanish artifacts was conducted at the request of the Cherokee County Historical Society. This project was partially funded by a federal grant. Over 600 prehistoric and historic archaeology sites have been recorded in the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office's statewide inventory for Cherokee County.
A comprehensive architectural survey was conducted in 1980-81. This survey was a cooperative local-state project accomplished with grants and staff assistance from the Historic Preservation Office.
Since 1980 the Historic Preservation Office has awarded Cherokee County projects federal matching grants totaling $15,650. Legislative grants have totaled $121,100. The federal funds supported county-wide archaeological and architectural resources surveys and restoration work at the John C. Campbell Folk School. The legislative grants also supported the Campbell Folk School restoration project as well as projects in Murphy and Andrews.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National Register listings in Cherokee County include six individual properties and one historic district, the John C. Campbell Folk School, a unique 366-acre campus historic district associated with the appreciation and promotion of the culture of the Southern Appalachians.
PRESERVATION PLANNING
The Historic Preservation Office facilitated projects involving the Whittaker Apartments and the Hiwassee Powerhouse.
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS
The Historic Preservation Office assisted the Cherokee County Historical Museum Council in publishing the findings of the architectural survey in Marble and Log: The History and Architecture of Cherokee County, North Carolina in 1984.
The Cherokee County Courthouse and Harshaw Chapel in Murphy, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, and the Valleytown Cultural Center in Andrews have all received technical assistance from the Historic Preservation Office. In 1998, staff participated in an assessment of historic assets in downtown Andrews as part of a study sponsored by Handmade in America.