The Gourd Place
A gourd museum and craft studio in the Sautee valley, open by appointment
The short answer
Gourds are one of the oldest crops people have grown, and the Gourd Place turns them into pottery, crafts and a small museum. It's a quirky, genuinely local stop, run by founders Priscilla Wilson and Janice Lymburner, who bill it as the oldest retail gourdcrafting business in the United States.
Visit details
From the Gourd Place website, October 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visits | By appointment. Book through the Gourd Place website or email |
| Same-day or far-ahead visits | Email [email protected] |
| Phone | 706-865-4048 |
| Where | Duncan Bridge Road (GA-384), about 5 miles from Helen |
| Accessibility | Buildings are handicap-accessible |
Because visits are by appointment, don't just drive up. Book first, and confirm the address and directions on the owners' directions page.
What to expect
The site lists a gourd museum, Gourdcraft Originals, and Gourd Impressions Pottery, plus a memoir by the owners called Gourd Girls. Ask when you book what's on view that day and how long to plan for. It's a small place, so think of it as a short, memorable stop rather than a half-day.
Pair it with the rest of the valley: the Old Sautee Store, Stovall Mill Covered Bridge and Hardman Farm are all in the same part of White County. The Sautee Nacoochee Center lists art exhibits and community events.
Photos from the valley
Scenery around the Sautee community
Woodland setting in the Sautee valley
Wooded paths in the area
A mountain creek in the area
Spring wildflowers in the area
Mountain views from the Sautee valley
Fall color in the Sautee community
Getting there
The Gourd Place is on Duncan Bridge Road (GA-384), about 5 miles from Helen. The owners' directions say that from Cleveland you take GA-75 toward Helen, turn right onto GA-384 about five miles north of Cleveland, and drive 2.3 miles. Coming from Clarkesville, take GA-17 west toward Helen, turn left onto GA-255, go four miles to a four-way stop, and turn right onto GA-384 for 2.5 miles.
More to explore
Nearby places in the valley
Know before you go
The Gourd Place is a small, owner-run stop, and the one thing that trips people up is the booking. There are no walk-in hours, so schedule through the Gourd Place website first. The site mentions a gourd museum, retail shops and grounds for touring, and it doesn't publish admission prices, class offerings or event dates, so ask when you book.
Book ahead
Accessibility
Allow a short stop
Make it a loop
Gourd Place questions
Can I just drop in at The Gourd Place?
No. Visits are by appointment. Book through the Gourd Place website or call 706-865-4048; for same-day visits or visits more than seven days ahead, email [email protected].
How far is The Gourd Place from Helen?
The owners say it's five miles from Helen, on Duncan Bridge Road (GA-384) in Sautee Nacoochee.
What will I see there?
The website lists a gourd museum, retail shops and grounds for touring, along with Gourdcraft Originals and Gourd Impressions Pottery.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The owners say the buildings are handicap-accessible.
What does it cost?
The website doesn't list admission prices, so ask when you book.
