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The Charles Hall Museum

The Charles Hall Museum
229 Cherohala Skyway
423-253-6767

About Us:
Charles and Billie Nell Hall have devoted their lives to their community. Charles served as Tellico Plains Mayor for a total of 33 years, from 1951-1955. He also served as an alderman in 1961, recorder in 1962, and after again being elected mayor on September 5, 1963, held the post until resigning June 14, 1990. Charles was the state's youngest person to hold the position when first elected.

Charles and Billie Nell owned and operated the Tellico Telephone Company from 1954 to 1985. While raising a family of 4 girls, Charles & Billie Nell took part in many community organizations. Charles was a memeber of the town's fire department for 52 years, organizing and training 11 rural fire departments throughout Monroe County. Charles was named "Monroe County's Most Outstanding Citizen" in 1969 and served on the Monroe County Court from 1960-1966 and a County Commissioner from 1966-1972. Billie Nell joined the Cherokee Study Club and worked tirelessly to support education, beautification and positive public relations in Tellico Plains. She was also honored as the 1986 Tennessee Mother of the Year. Billie Nell was involved with Monroe County United Way, Monroe County Tourism Council, the board of directors for Overlook Mental Health Center, chairperson of the Task Force for Better Schools, and Cherokee Study Club President for four terms.

Along with the numberous organizations both have been involved with, Charles and Billie Nell led many projects that have developed this area. Charles was involved with the Kiwanis Club during the 1958 Wagaontrain. The Wagontrain was started to show the need for a road from Tellico Plains, TN to Robinsville, NC. Charles was either the wagonmaster or chief scout for 49 years. The Wagontrain ended in 1996. The road was completed in 1996, and opened on October 12, 1996. In 1997, the Tennessee State Legislature named the bridge over Laurel Branch on the Cherohala Skyway "The Charles Hall Bridge."

Charles played a leading role in the Tellico Dam construction. He attended the many congressional hearings on the project in Washington D.C.
The Charles Hall Museum and gift shop is 5000 square feet of local history, more than 200 guns, an extensive telehone collection, and an impressive coin collection. You can also find many antiques that were used by Tellico residents over the years. Mr. Hall has on display the most extensive collection of historical photos of the area. A gun collector since the age of 12, Mr. Hall has only half of his collection on display at the Museum. The Charles Hall Museum is packed with antiques from centuries past and the most impressive part.....98% of the items in the museum are one man's collection. The museum has been a life long dream of Mr. Hall's and now he is gets great pleasure in being able to share his collections with the public.

At this time The Charles Hall Museum does not charge an admission. Proceeds from your purchases in the gift shop keep the admission free and the museum doors open. We hope the next time you take a drive on the Cherohala Skyway, you drop in to say hello!

Photos