COOLEEMEE – A Day of Reunion and Remembrance will begin with the sound of a mill whistle on the Zachary House grounds Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.

Visitors returning to their hometown will join family and friends for fellowship and reminiscing. Cooleemee’s two heritage museums will be open free to the public for tours.

Hot Diggity Dogs will be selling delights. Dozens of homemade cakes and other baked goods will be for sale to support the historical association’s museums and its pioneering “Discovering Our Heritage” kids program.            

At 12:30 a.m. church bus transportation will shuttle all who wish to participate down to Main Street for a group photograph in front of the remains of the old cotton mill. It is being demolished.

“There are some alive who worked there and many more whose parents, grandparents and ancestors worked in the mill who wish to pay their last respects to this important local landmark,” said Lynn Rumley.

Bagpipes, played by one such mill descendant, will end the ceremony.

Shuttles will carry participants back to the Zachary House. If driving, park at the Cooleemee Methodist parking lot on Main Street.