The Barber Shop

The contents of this art deco barber shop came from Chicago. It is said that this barber shop was located in the same area of Chicago that Al Copone was from. Al Copone himself could have gotten a shave and a hair cut in this very barber chair. During the fair you can get your hair cut by local barbers while listening to Ragtime music. Children's first hair cuts are welcome.

Blacksmith

The Blacksmith Shop was donated by several people in 1995. These people were Pledger Reid, Tom Wiggins LJ Hitt, Bill Thomas, Charlie Dingler, Wayne Lindsey and Steve Ruiz. This demonstration will be operated nightly by local blacksmith’s at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival. Be sure to check out the unique gifts these artisans make each day.

Cider Press

The Cider Press was donated by Dr. Marcus Mashburn who owned a local apple orchard. The Mashburn family had a roadside stand each fall where they sold apples, cider and fried pies. They moved their stand to the fairgrounds in 1995. The cider mill is operated by Pete and Catherine Amos and The Dr. Marcus Mashburn Family and friends. Don’t forget the fresh apple cider and homemade fried pies.

Cotton Gin

The first Cotton Gin was donated by Albert D. Bagwell and Myrtle D. Bagwell in 1995. It was moved from its original location in Hall County and was last operated in the 1950s. This cotton gin is a 1943 Lummus with three 80 saw gins, and is powered by a 1915 Fairbanks Morse 2 cylinder diesel engine. This engine is 100 HP and runs at about 250 RPMs. In 2004 the cotton gin burned. We saved the motor, cotton press and some small items. After a long search for a replacement gin, the Irvin gin from Leaf, Georgia was found. The Irvin gin was opened in 1925 by E. T. and Bond Irvin of Leaf, Georgia. They operated it until 1961. This cotton gin is a continental gin with four 80 saw gins and is powered by the Bagwell’s 100 HP Fairbanks & Morse 2 cylinder engine saved from the fire. After restoration it was dedicated by the Irvin family and the City of Cumming in October 2005. Souvenir cotton bales available for sale in the general store.

Doctors Office

Artifacts, photographs, historical data, furniture, medical equipment and supplies and staffing of the Heritage Village Doctors Office setup and continuance was made possible through the cooperation and hard work of: Baptist North Hospital staff, the Mashburn family, Mize family, Emory Lipscomb family, Kate Kelly family, Docia Roden family, Mayor Ford Gravitt and Mrs. Carolyn Gravitt, Forsyth Co. Historical Society, Dr. Rupert Bramblett, Mrs. Deanie Creamer, Dr. Michael Hogan and the City of Cumming. The Doctors office is staffed by Northside Hospital Forsyth

General Store

The General Store is set up in the back corner of the Exhibit Hall located in the center of the Fairgrounds and has plenty of souvenirs for everyone, such as cotton bales, tote bags, logo pins, T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. It is stocked with old time candies, canned goods, sorghum syrup, fudge, homemade jams & jellies, cider sluchies and hoop cheese to cater to a variety of tastes. Come in and visit the old General Store and go back in time.

Post Office

When you walk in to the Post Office you are walking into a piece of history. Each display is a authentic piece of Post Office equipment. This exhibit was made possible by the City of Cumming, former Postmasters L. T. Parks and Ray Taylor of the Cumming - Forsyth County Post Office and the Historians of the United States Postal Service.

Printing Press

The Printing Press was donated to the Fairgrounds in 1998 by Kathy Pruitt. It was manufactured by Chandler and Price in Cincinnati, Ohio, and can be dated in the 1920 - 1930's range. This pacitular press was originally located in the Old C & S Bank Building in Atlanta. The Forsyth County News staff this exhibit and provide free newspapers throughout the fair with articles highlighting daily fair activities.

Quilting Party

Each night of the Fair The Piece Makers Quilting Guild and the Cumming Sunset Quilters meet and sew some of the finest quilts you ever saw. Come and see for yourself how these beautiful works of art are brought together. They always have one of these beautiful quilts out for raffle during the Fair.

Saw Mill

The "Moore Saw Mill" was donated to the Fairgrounds by the Moore family in 1995. It was originally located in Silver City, and operated by Michael H. Moore and Len D. Moore. The Moore saw mill was in operation until 1990. Now the saw mill is powered by a tractor or a steam engine nightly at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival and Gas and Steam Engine Expo. In 2005 the saw mill was relocated across from the cotton gin. The Warren G. Castleberry family donated their sawmill to the fairgrounds. The Moore and Castleberry sawmill’s were combined to equip our current sawmill exhibit.

Shingle Mill

Syrup Mill

The Fairgrounds acquired the Syrup Mill in 1995 and is operated nightly at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival. Mules work the press to squeeze the juice out of the syrup cane, then it’s cooked down in a 3'X12' copper pan to make the sorghum syrup. The syrup made at the Country Fair and Festival is sold every night and is available at the general store.

The Water Wheel Corn Mill

The Corn Mill was donated to the Fairgrounds by the John Mathis Family in 1995. Its original location was in the Chestatee community and is said to be over 100 years old. The corn mill was originally owned by Weldon Mathis, Weldon passed it down to his son John Mathis, and John passed it down to his son Terry. This mill was in operation until about 1950. Now the corn mill is operated nightly at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival. Various stone ground mill is available at the general store.

The Grist Mill

The Grist Mill was owned and operated by Harley Thomas in the Silver City community of Forsyth County. The Mill was donated to the Fairgrounds in 1995 by the Bill Thomas Family. It is powered by an International Harvester gas engine and is operated nightly at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival. Various stone ground mill is available at the general store.

Dentist Office

This is a early century dentist office with the old dental chair, x-ray machine, drills ,and tools of the trade. The dentist office is staffed by local dentist throughout the fair.

The Steam Engine Shed

The Steam Engine Shed is home to many of the counties old working steam engines. These tractors have all been restored and are used during the fair to pull the saw mill, and are displayed and used for various chores at the Steam and Gas Engine Expo. in November. At the 4th of July Parade these steam engines lead the parade with whistles blowing.

Cumming/Forsyth County Historical Society

The Historical Society has a booth set up in the Walt Harris cabin located in the Indian Village. They have item’s on display and have many historical books on Forsyth County for sale. You might even meet the author of these books at their booth.

Old Baptist Church

The Old Baptist Church is a representative of what churches at the turn of the century were like. The church has pictures of many of the early Baptist Churches in Forsyth County. The church has old wooden pews, an old piano and pump organ. When you enter the church you may hear some old time singing going on.

Old Methodist Church

The Old Methodist Church is a representative of what churches at the turn of the century were like. The church has pictures of many of the early Methodist Churches in Forsyth County. The church has old wooden pews, an old piano and pump organ. When you enter the church you may hear some old time singing going on.

One Room School House

Pictures of local graduation classes are displayed on the wall in the School house. The old school desks with ink wells, corner stool, dunce cap, and teachers desk will take you back to the old school days.

Chicken House

The chicken house is operated by Tysons. It has old equipment that was used in raising chickens at the turn of the century. It also has modern equipment set up to show the many advances in the chicken industry. Baby chicks are plentiful to keep the kids attention.

         Indian Village

In an effort of City of Cumming leaders to preserve the heritage of the community and better educate people about the rich history of Native Americans in Forsyth County, the Indian Village comes alive with traditional music, dance storytelling and various native American exhibits. The village consists of a log tavern, 2 log cabin homes, a council house, corn crib, smokehouse and covered bridge. The tavern, owned by chief James Vann in the early 1800’s, was moved to the fairgrounds from Old Federal Road on the Etowah River to be restored. Vann known for bringing Moravian missionaries into the Cherokee territory to witness and educate the children, was at one time one of the richest men in the United States. He opened these taverns along river corridors to give people a place to stop during their travels and operated the river crossing. The Cherokee Council House is a seven sided log building, which represents the seven clans of the Cherokee Indians. The Indian Village is rich in Cherokee history but also has intertribal exhibits, which portray the culture and heritage of various native Americans tribes. The Walt Harris cabin located in the Indian Village was donated by the Michael Bennett family serves as the Forsyth County Historical Society booth. The tavern was donated by the Eldo Grogan family and the William Mills family.