An application is currently in the final stages for a “Special Use Permit” from the USDA Forest Service for the use of the historic Russell Farmstead. If the application is accepted, work towards construction of the farm could begin as early as fall of 2009.

The plans include the preservation of the remaining buildings of the Russell Farm in addition to the establishment of a separate farmstead using the buildings collection of the Oconee Heritage Center. A site plan detailing where structures are proposed along with an overall proposal for parking, footpaths and tenant quarters.

The Oconee Heritage Center has been collecting historic structures for several years including the dogtrot log cabin from Buzzard Hollow, KY a one-room cabin from Gum Log, GA, smokehouses, a blacksmith shop and several others. The time period that will be interpreted will be between the years of 1875 and 1925. The vision for the Southern Appalachian Farmstead is to create a living-history farmstead, or a working-farm museum, at which visitors will be able to experience life on a traditional mountain farm at the turn of the twentieth century.

Lee and Joyce Barrett of Westminster have ensured that people will have a place to preserve and learn about Westminster’s history. The building located at 126 Main Street in Westminster has been donated to the Oconee Heritage Center to serve as a satellite museum of the OHC. Donated in memory of their fathers, Johnny D. Jones and Charles G. Barrett, the building will become the home of the contents of the England’s General Merchandise Store along with other Westminster exhibits.

“We are so happy to be able to do this to honor both of our fathers and their love for Westminster,” says Joyce Barrett. Both Joyce’s father, Johnny D. Jones, and Lee’s father, Charles G. Barrett, previously owned the building which was donated. The announcement was made beginning at the Pavilion on Main Street in Westminster on January 3rd. Everyone who attended the meeting was then given the opportunity to view inside the “Barrett-Jones Building.” Reflecting back on his father and father-in-law, Lee Barrett remarked, “Our aim is for the vision of our fathers to be realized. Johnny’s vision was progress and Charles’ vision was preservation. With this donation, we feel that the OHC can fulfill both of these visions.”

This particular building on Main Street was built prior to 1898 and still maintains a lot of its original character with approximately 2,500 square feet of space. Over the years, the building has served as home to “The Bargain Store,” “Plunder Junction,” a video store, antique shop, flower shop and a law firm.