CHHCO EST. 1990
About Cornstalk Heights Historic Community Organization
Harriman Est. 1890
Your advocate for Historic Preservation since 1990.
Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization (CHHCO), a non-profit organization, was started in 1990. Killeffer Park, one of the community’s premier parks, was under threat of being sold with construction of a planned housing project in its place.
A community organization was formed to protect and save not only the park, but the surrounding historic home district in Harriman as well. The organization successfully applied to the National Historic Register and became officially recognized as Cornstalk Heights Historical Community Organization. The application was partially approved due to the community’s uniqueness in being one of the first “planned” communities in the country.
The Harriman Cornstalk Heights District was listed in the national register of Historic Places in September 1990 for its historical significance.
1890-1940
Years Built
15
Members
History; Protected
Conservators of Harriman
a 5.01 (c)3
Our Purpose
A.
The organization
is organized to operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes with the meaning of Section 5.01 (c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue law), and more specifically:
B.
To work
to enhance the physical, economic and social enrichment of the City of Harriman in partnership with federal, state and local governments;
C.
To promote
the restoration, preservation, protection and use of Cornstalk Heights Historical Community, to encourage the understanding and appreciation of Harriman’s history, culture and architecture.
Officers and directors at large
2025-2026 Members
Membership, nor meeting attendance is limited to residents. Any who wish to participate may. Meetings take place the second Thursday of every month.
Donna Demyanovich
President
Originally hailing from Worcester, MA, I relocated to Tennessee from Palm Beach County, FL, and have called Harriman, TN, home for over two decades. My husband and I share a passion for historic homes, which led us to purchase and restore our residence to its original
charm.
Additionally, I own a building in downtown Harriman where I operate Donna Marie’s Event Venue. Life in Harriman is delightful, resembling an ideal community, and I often reflect on how I wish we
had made this move twenty years earlier. We have one daughter and her husband, along with four adult grandchildren residing in Connecticut, and we thoroughly enjoy our visits with them. Our two cats, Doubs and Cindy Lou, keep us entertained. My time is filled with managing my business, serving on several boards, traveling, and
indulging in photography.
Teresa Pitcock
Vice President
“I’ve always been a history buff, so when we moved here from Greeneville, a town steeped in Revolutionary history, I was excited about the 1890s beginnings and especially the inspiration of the Temperance movement.
I am the Vice Chair/President of CHHCO and have been an active member of the board for four years. I joined because I wanted to be directly involved with the restoration of Harriman Hall, formerly the First Christian Church. With it being the very first church completed in Harriman, we simply could not let it continue to sit there and die. We are saving her one donation and fundraiser at a time.”
Beth Johnson
Secretary
“I’m Beth Johnson, and I love serving as the secretary of CHHCO. I have a lifelong passion for historic homes and antiques, and I’m proud to be part of an organization that brings the community together to restore and preserve our historic homes and buildings.”
Robert Harnden
Treasurer
Mark Hellwig
Director of Marketing
Dakota Bishop
Director of Communications
Lee Townsend
Director At Large
Pat LaDue
Director At Large
Jerry Lively
Director At Large
Beverly Lively
Director At Large
Joe Jones
Director At Large
Dick McPherson
Director At Large
Heidi Barton
Director At Large
Lake Lowe
Director At Large
Kecia Smith
Director At Large