The story of William Holland School of Lapidary Arts begins with the vision of Harold and Mary Lou Sparks. While Harold served as the 8th president of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS) in 1983, they discovered that there were not any schools where you could go to learn the lapidary arts, only workshops a few times a year. So they set out to find a mountain top retreat where such a school could be built, where strangers from all states and other countries could come together to learn in a peaceful atmosphere and to share with one another.
With the help of many passionate members of rock clubs, who donated their time, talents and money, Harold and Mary Lou found a place in Young Harris, Georgia where they were able to realize this dream and bring about what we have today. Many would stop by to check on the progress of things and my father would put them right to work. "Have you ever installed insulation?" he asked one lady and the next thing she knew she was putting insulation in the walls. One couple came for the day and spent the week, calling home each night to say it would be another day before they would be home. Please feed the dog. All became one big family and there were many around the dinner table each night.
When it came time to choose a name for the new school, Harold chose William Holland who was the 3rd President of the SFMS and the only deceased president at the time. Even before the lodge was ready, classes unofficially started in the basement of the Sparks' home. Finally, in the spring of 1986, the newly completed lodge held the very first official classes.
Today we operate the Sparks Lodge, named after Harold C. Sparks himself, with 29 bedrooms and private baths on the upper level, 13 classrooms on the lower level with a large dining room and kitchen. The classrooms and dining room are now air-conditioned! Across from the lodge is the Seabolt Building. It houses classrooms, campground facilities and the George Kasper Memorial Library. The campground has 11 spaces with full hookups. On September 1, 2001, we opened Mary Lou's Cottage, which is used by the instructors. There are 8 bedrooms, a kitchen and common area. On July 30, 2005, we dedicated Otto's Lodge, adding 23 bedrooms to our lodging.
The school operates on a seasonal basis, offering classes from Sunday April 18th, through November 6th this year. At the current time we lease the facilities to the SFMS for two weeks a year and the remaining 27 weeks of the season are open to anyone interested in the lapidary arts. It is not necessary to belong to a rock club or to be a rockhound, but it helps. This is a school for the hobbyist, not just for lapidary, but for many areas in jewelry making.
All of our instructors are volunteers. Most sell the supplies needed by students in the classes they are teaching. This also helps them meet some of their expenses. In return for their time and expertise we provide room and board for each instructor and his or her spouse. We have wonderful instructors coming from all over the country who have volunteered their talents to make William Holland a unique and wonderful place for you. The week is busy with check-in starting on Sunday afternoon starting at 3:00pm. Supper is at 6:00pm. After a supper of roast beef, there are introductions and the classes meet for a short time. Classes start at 9 am Monday. Tuesday night we have an auction, with donated items by students and instructors. The money raised is used in the classrooms for equipment and supplies. It's a fun time for all. Wednesday, most take the afternoon off for sight seeing and field trips to some mines, or a good digging place that someone might know about. Thursday night is tailgating, where everyone can sell whatever. We have had a little of everything put out on Thursday evening. By Saturday morning everyone wants to stay for another week and some have already made plans for next year to join their new friends.
