Reece Society Third Annual Meeting

The third annual meeting of the Byron Herbert Reece Society was held on Saturday, June 10, on the campus of Young Harris College.  Bert Lance, one of Georgia’s most noted public servants, delivered the keynote address on the subject of “The Magic of Choestoe.”  In his message, Lance marveled at the rich heritage of this spot in Union County known to the Indians as “the place where rabbits dance.”  He cited numerous individuals who were reared in this region and went on to positions of prominence in education, government, literature, ministry, and other arenas of service.  Among those persons were Lance’s father, Thomas Jackson Lance, who became president of Young Harris College, and Georgia’s Appalachian Poet/Author, Byron Herbert Reece.

Some 85 participants gathered to hear Lance’s address and to receive positive reports on the activities of the Reece Society, including the continuing development of the Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center on the 9.3 acre site in Choestoe where Reece and his family lived.  The first phase of the restoration of the barns on this property has been completed, and plans are underway for the installation of agricultural exhibits that will highlight the kind of farming conducted by families like the Reece’s during the first part of the 20^th century.

Following a delicious lunch in the College dining hall, a ceremony of unveiling and dedication of the Reece historical marker was conducted at the farm site.  This marker, which features biographical information about Reece, is the first one installed in Union County by the Georgia Historical Society.  In addition to  the GHS, other sponsors of the marker include the Reece Society, Union County Government, Union County Historical Society, and Young Harris College.  John Kay, chair of the Reece Society, presided over the ceremony, which included remarks by Christy Crisp, program director of the Georgia Historical Society; Steven Reece (grand-nephew of Byron Reece), who unveiled the marker as a family representative; and Lamar Paris, Union County Commissioner. 

The Reece Farm and Heritage Center is located one mile north of Vogel State Park on Highway 129.