57th Annual Cottage Tour & Bazaar at the Assembly
The Woman’s Association of the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly will host its 57th annual Cottage Tour & Bazaar on Friday, July 23. In light of current COVID restrictions, the day will include small-group, guided walking tours of historic buildings; the always-popular bazaar with fine art, jewelry, home décor and much more; a white elephant sale; 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 a guided walking tour of the Assembly’s most historic and utilized public structures, including the Winfield House (1904), the Auditorium (1927), the Gymnasium (1884) and Warren Chapel (1951) as well as the Cabbage Patch, the section of the Assembly where the oldest cottages are located.
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 white elephant 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.
Emily Frith of Corner Market Catering in Nashville will offer box lunches (must be pre-ordered for $15). The grill at Harton Hall will also be offering meals to go. Lunches can be enjoyed in one of the Assembly’s green spaces. 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 McCartys Pottery. Created by Assembly members, the late Lee and Pup McCarty, it has earned international recognition and is now owned and operated by longtime Assembly members, Jamie and Stephen Smith. This mainstay of the Assembly history is a must-stop, must-shop during any visit!
Walking tour tickets ($5 per person) and box lunches ($15) must be reserved and paid for in advance on the MSSA website <https://monteaglesundayschoola...; 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: Walking tours (four options): 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m.; 1 p.m., and 2:15 p.m.; Bazaar, white elephant and bake sale: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Harton Hall: meals-to-go will be available 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Pre-ordered box lunches will be scheduled for pick-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 (MSSA) 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 fund several times during the program season. Woman’s Association Motto: Each for the other, all for Monteagle.