 Founded to Serve |
 Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. |
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Founded to Serve |
Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. |
A conference center offering its facilities to nonprofit groups which conduct educational or cultural programs and seminars. It is a true retreat, undisturbed by through traffic or noises of the city. In 1946, it was dedicated by I.D. and Madolyn Blumenthal, of Charlotte, NC, to the improvement of human relations and interfaith dialogue. Since 1972, Wildacres has operated as a public foundation. 
Wildacres is situated on 1400 acres at an elevation of 3,300 feet atop a mountain called Pompey's Knob, near the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is halfway between Asheville and Blowing Rock in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The primary support of Wildacres comes from its own resources and The Blumenthal Foundation. Wildacres receives gifts from individuals, businesses and foundations interested in the philosophy and programs that are held there. Among the many groups using the facilities are music and art master classes, religious and interfaith groups, mineral and lapidary societies, medical, social science, natural sciences, academic, environmental and senior citizens groups. All groups must be nonprofit and have planned educational programs. Each
group plans its own program
and furnishes
its director and staff. Wildacres supplements the programs with the aid
of its staff and equipment and some recreational equipment, including
scenic
nature trails, There are two lodges, a dining hall building, a library and auditorium, a mineral and lapidary workshop and a pottery studio. All buildings are heated. Meals are served family style. All sleeping rooms have private baths and have either two twin beds or one double and one twin bed. There is a spacious lobby and several large and small meeting rooms. When weather permits, the patio can also be used for assemblies. Wildacres has a lending and reference library and gem and mineral displays.
Points of interest in the area include the North Carolina Mineral Museum, Mineral and Gem Mines, Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Overlooks, Crabtree and Linville Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain, two 18 hole golf courses and tennis nearby, and Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Rockies. Wildacres
is about 3 miles from
the Little
Switzerland post office. Nearest towns are Spruce Pine and Marion, NC.
Access is available from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Gooch Gap, located
between
mileposts 336 and 337. Distance from Charlotte is about 112 miles.
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One
of the unique facets of the Southeast Federation of
Mineralogical Societies is the Workshop
Program, which offers members the opportunity to gather for week-long,
hands-on seminars taught by experienced instructors. Whether you are a
newcomer
to the lapidary arts and want to learn the basics, or whether
you’re an old
hand who wants to learn something new or move on to the next level, the
Workshop Program has something for you.
We look forward to seeing you in 2010.
SFMS WORKSHOP INFORMATION CLASS SCHEDULES: - LOCATIONS: Wildacres and William Holland - Registration Information and Forms The SFMS Workshop
classes are open to all SFMS members, all AMFED Federation members and
anyone from the general public that is willing to join a gem club -
either a local one to them or one we provide to them.
The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. sponsors four Gem, Jewelry and Mineral workshops each year. These are held at Wildacres, near Little Switzerland in North Carolina, and at the William Holland Retreat near the small town of Young Harris in northeast Georgia. Both facilities offer double accommodations with a private bath. Twin bed rooms and a number of rooms with a double bed and a twin bed arrangement are available. A broad range of courses related to the lapidary arts are taught by qualified instructors from throughout the Federation. All instructors are volunteers who are not paid for the highly skilled and professional experience that they bring to the workshops. The workshops are well equipped for common lapidary activities such as cabochon cutting, faceting, and silversmithing. Additional equipment is brought in when new or special courses are taught.
551 Grayce Lane Hiawassee, GA 30546 706.896.3256 cell phone 252-571-5050 klmorris45@hotmail.com SFMS Education Chair |
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The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. Send e-mail to: sfms@amfed.org |
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horseshoes, ping pong, volley ball, basketball and a canteen. Wildacres
is not a holiday resort and does not cater to the traveling public.
Only
group reservations are accepted with a maximum of 120 people. Small
groups
can be accommodated at the same time. Due to health regulations, no
pets
are allowed. 
All
facilities at Wildacres are designed in an attempt to blend the graces
of modern life with the beauty of the wilderness." Facilities can be
reserved
for one to seven night periods from mid April through October.