When my friend Ann Shayne asked me to write about the 47th Monteagle Sunday School Assembly Cottage Tour and Bazaar, my response was a speedy, “Are you kidding? I’d be happy to.” Not only is she one of my favorite people, Monteagle is absolutely one of my favorite places.
Let’s face it, women run the world. Most of what we love best (think parks, zoos, art museums, greenways) is a result of some woman offering her time and talents (free of charge, I might add) to help make an event successful. With that being said, here’s why you want to pen, not pencil, this event on your calendar.
What’s not to love about a place steeped in history with lovely grounds and Victorian architecture?
Monteagle is a mere 85 miles down the road from Nashville and its high altitude offers a nice reprieve from the hot weather. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Monteagle Assembly, here’s a quick description: It is one of the last remaining chautauquas in the county with 161 Victorian cottages and buildings under the Nashville Register of Historic Places. Monteagle’s slow tempo and meandering ways truly change people’s lives for the better, providing educational, spiritual and physical guidance for the old and young alike. Kids zip around on their bikes, women take lectures on gardening and everyone finds respite in the cool mountain breezes. This has been going on for 127 years.
The Cottage Tour and Bazaar is Friday, July 23, and features six cottages inside the Assembly.
The moment you step into one of these charming Victorian abodes, you’ll want to spend the rest of your life there. They are whimsical, charming and quirky just like the Victorians. A yummy lunch will be served in the dining hall (also a historic place) or you can grab a box lunch. If you miss the Corner Market as much as I do, you can experience Emily Frith’s magic, as she is the chef for the day. The Bazaar features over 30 craftspeople and artists from the area. What a great way to stock up on holiday gifts. The proceeds from the event benefits the restoration of properties inside the assembly and local not-for-profits.
You may want to consider staying on the mountain to get the full benefit of clean, cool mountain air. The Adams Edgeworth Inn, a charming B & B inside the Assembly, is just one of many accommodations offered in the area. If hiking and swimming interest you, check out the trails in the South Cumberland State Park.
Ready to head East? Here’s some more details…
Monteagle Cottage Tour and Bazaar
Date: Friday, July 23
Cottage Tour Hours: 11am – 4pm
Bazaar: 9am – 4pm
Lunch Provided: Tasty and inexpensive
For more information: http://www.mssa1882.org
To get to know Ann Shayne better and thank her for finding the best tea punch recipe: www.masondixonknitting.com
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4 Responses to “Monteagle Cottage Tour: Only $15, Clean Mountain Air Free of Charge”
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I had no idea that they did a cottage tour! I graduated from Sewanee and houses in the Assembly were always in high demand for Parents’ Weekends, Graduation and Homecoming. It is such a charming, wonderful place! I will keep this in mind for future years.
Visitors to Monteagle should also skip down the road to check out the beauty that is the campus of the University of the South before heading back to Nashville!
I have been going for 20 years and would not miss the cottage tour and bazaar. The cottages are all unique and creatively decorated and the bazaar has great hand made, unique items for gifts as well as yourself at good prices. It is a fun day for all. Drive up for the day or spend the night and visit Sewanee, just down the road and lovely to see. There are many specatacular views off the mountain and other fun shops in Sewanee to visit. Ann Cowden
I have stayed at Monteagle off and on for over 30 years and each trip is memorable. Haven’t been to the Inn in about 5 years but eager to try it once more. Perfect grounds and activities for children. Wish I were in Tennessee on Friday. The tour and bazaar would be on the calendar.
I’m a little late on the scene to comment about the tour weekend in July, but have to agree that Monteagle Assembly holds a place in my heart, too, as well as my alma mater down the road, The University of the South. I usually make my trek back to the mountain in the fall or spring, but I see now I need to make a summer get a way as well. Thanks for talking about the tour and bazaar.