The Woman’s Association of the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly will host its 58th Annual Cottage Tour and Bazaar on Friday, July 22. The much anticipated event will include tours of five representative cottages; a self-guided tour of historic buildings; the always-popular bazaar with fine art, jewelry, home décor and much more; Butterfly Boutique (resale); lunch options from the Corner Market; and the “famous” Bake Sale.
The annual event is designed to share with the public the Assembly’s unique history and mission, to showcase its representative turn-of-the-century structures, and to highlight the Chautauqua Movement and the Assembly’s association with the Chautauqua Network. This year’s tour will feature five distinctive cottages: Mint Julep, Comfy Cozy, Wayside, Balcony Place and Leaning Oak.
The bazaar, open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., will feature local arts and crafts and splurge-worthy fine art and jewelry from more than 40 selected local and regional artisans. The nearby Butterfly Boutique sale of donated items from members and friends is a bargain-lover’s delight held in the Writers’ Grove located near the Woman’s Association Winfield House.
At 10:45 a.m., guests are invited to attend a special presentation by Elizabeth Heiskell, instructor at the Viking Cooking School; TODAY Show contributor; special guest on Food Network’s The Kitchen and Chopped, CMT’s Pickler and Ben and The Hallmark Channel. She is also a cookbook author and creator of Debutante Farmer, a bloody Mary mix that won acclaim as Southern Living’s food award for one of “the best new products in the South.”
Emily Frith of Corner Market Catering in Nashville will offer box lunches to be enjoyed in one of the Assembly’s green spaces (must be pre-ordered for $18). The grill at Harton Dining Hall will also be offering a buffet lunch featuring soups, salads, and an array of comfort food specialties, sides and desserts. Guests will also enjoy the annual bake sale where the Assembly’s best cooks bring their sweet and savory specialties, and the Snack Shop will be open for popcorn, chilled candy bars, bottled water and souvenir T-shirts.
Be sure to stop in at cottage 116, The Gallery. In addition to art and gifts, the Gallery is one of a select few to carry award-winning McCarty Pottery. Created by Assembly members, the late Lee and Pup McCarty, Mississippi-based McCartys has earned international recognition. The Gallery is a mainstay of the Assembly history a must-stop, must-shop during any visit.
Advance tour tickets ($15, $20 day of) and box lunches ($18) must be reserved and paid for in advance on the MSSA website (MSSA1882.org) using PayPal or by calling the MSSA office at (931) 924-2286 or by stopping by the office. Parking passes ($5 per car) can be purchased on the day of the tour at the North Gate entrance.
Schedule of events
Bazaar, Butterfly Boutique and bake sale: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cottage tours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lecture by Elizabeth Heiskell, The Debutante Farmer: From the Fields to the TODAY Show, 10:45 a.m. in the Auditorium
Harton Dining Hall: Buffet available 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Pre-ordered box lunches can be picked up 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Gallery, cottage 116, 9 a.m-4 p.m.
Organized in 1887, the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly Woman’s Association has played a vital role in the development of the Assembly by providing hospitality, funds and meeting space for all aspects of the summer program. The Association’s cottage, “Winfield,” is the center for many activities during the Season, from Sunday School to parents’ meetings, workshops, children’s story hours, and card parties. It also houses the Assembly library and is staffed by a resident hostess/librarian. The MSSA Culinary Guild, a program of the Woman’s Association, celebrates and supports the local South Cumberland food and farming community and the production and enjoyment of great food. Members maintain the Assembly’s Humphreys-Martin Family Herb Garden and enjoy coming together for food, beverages, and fun several times during the program season. Woman’s Association Motto: Each for the other, all for Monteagle.