Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Provides Insight Into Appalachian History

Wednesday June 23, 2010
visitors can experience the history of the area through an interactive and educational tour

TOWNSEND, Tenn.- Have you ever wondered how settlers in the Smoky Mountains lived hundreds of years ago? What if you had an opportunity to see ancient artifacts dating as far back as 5,000 B.C.? At the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, located on Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend, visitors can experience the history of the area through an interactive and educational tour of the facility where they will see first-hand how the area has evolved from 5,000 B.C. to 1930- through Native American inhabitants to European settlers.

"The Heritage Center presents an in-depth history of the Smoky Mountains, and it is the first museum of its kind in the area, which is great for visitors and locals alike. There are artifacts uncovered in archaeological digs, authentic buildings and artifacts, along with recreational pieces included in the museum to create an experience for visitors to learn about the region's history and of course keep our mountain heritage alive," said Bob Patterson, director of the heritage center.

The $3.1 million, 17,000-square-foot museum opened in February 2006, and it offers visitors a glimpse into 7,000 years of history by demonstrating Native American and pioneer lifestyles through pottery, hunting, cosmology, medicine, music, games and trade. The center contains 11 historic outbuildings, two galleries featuring Native American and pioneer living, a Transportation Gallery displaying the evolution of the region's travel, a 100-seat auditorium and a 500-seat covered outside amphitheater offering a panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains.

"Heritage tourism is one of the fastest growing trends in the tourism industry-people don't simply want to visit an area, they want to learn about its history, experience its culture and find what makes it unlike any other area in the world. This museum is a tremendous asset to our visitors because it allows them to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present in Appalachia," said Herb Handly, executive vice president of tourism for the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Heritage Center's reconstructed outbuildings on-site include: a smokehouse, Montvale Station Stage Stop, a cantilever barn, wheelwright shop, a house used by Little River Lumber Company families, and an outhouse.

"These outbuildings on the property are not only intended to show visitors what traditional structures in the area entailed, they are used in educational programs for kindergarteners to eighth graders," said Hope Whitehead, curator of the heritage center. "When a child can physically walk into a structure instead of seeing it in a picture, everything seems to come together more clearly for them. Our instructors take the time to explain what the items in each structure are made of and where they come from."

In addition to the historic structures, visitors will soon be able to view a piece of true Tennessee history at the center-a moonshine still. During a time when there weren't liquor stores and a lot of people grew corn, producing moonshine was a way farmers in the mountains of Tennessee made money. The 450-gallon still was donated to the heritage center by Chuck Williams, whose father used to make moonshine in it underground at their Townsend home.

The Native American and Pioneer Galleries chronicle the lifestyle, music, games, and art of Native Americans, as well as their interactions and trade with the Euro-American settlers. These artifacts represent the Archaic Woodland, Mississippian and Cherokee eras. Each of the seven Cherokee clans is represented by a carved mask produced by a Cherokee member. Replicas also showcase the Cherokee summer and winter housing, as well as medicine use and structural representation. While some of the artifacts representing the Native Americans are replicas, all the items in the pioneer section were actually used by settlers.

The Coulter Cabin in the Pioneer Gallery showcases many artifacts on loan from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and others from McClung Museum at the University of Tennessee. The artifacts were found all over the one-million acres of the Smoky Mountains.

"Cades Cove is the most visited spot in the Smoky Mountains, and it contains a rich history that many visitors don't learn about through their drive or bike through the loop," said Patterson. "The Pioneer Gallery tells the story of the earliest settlers moving in the area with the main point of interest being a log cabin with replicas of authentic furnishings."

Visitors can also see what tools may have been housed in an early settler's barn and learn about the various industries popular in East Tennessee. Schooling and religion are not forgotten, as both have their own exhibit areas.

The Transportation Gallery depicts the evolution of travel in the region from footpaths to horsetrails to highways. On display are all types of vehicles from farming vehicles and a postal wagon, to a freight wagon, a surrey, and even road construction equipment.

"In this gallery visitors can learn about the vehicles that have been driven throughout the area's history, see various tools on display and learn about the aspects of road construction that has resulted in the roadways we have today," said Whitehead. "Since the displays on road construction are very specific, tourists get a better feel for how the region came together and just how important transportation was to the development and preservation of the Smoky Mountains."

The center not only houses galleries featuring historical artifacts, but also includes an arts and special events area that allows the museum to showcase a variety of traditional activities. Special crafts and events highlighted at the museum typically include candle making, a blacksmith, honey making, open hearth cooking, a Native American flute player and a gentleman tanning hides. There is also a library, which is still in the preliminary stages, but currently houses resource materials that are available for anyone interested in research projects or more in-depth information about the area.

Additionally, the heritage center includes classroom space, an auditorium and an amphitheater, which are designed for cultural and educational events.

The 100-person auditorium can be utilized for educational purposes. There is usually a continuous movie playing that is changed during special seasons, for different groups and for a specific visitor's interests upon request. Visitors can learn about mountain animals through educational DVDs, and the auditorium can also be used to host meetings.

The property's 500-seat amphitheater allows visitors to enjoy a play, listen to music or a storyteller with the backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. The ampitheater hosts regularly scheduled events, including a variety of musical entertainers. For a calendar of events, or for more information, please visit www.gsmheritagecenter.org or call (865) 448-0044.

For more information on the Townsend area, please call the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-525-6834, (865) 448-6134 or visit the bureau online at www.smokymountains.org.

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