Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center

heritage center cabin in spring

Hours

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday

Directions

3/4 mile beyond the traffic light at the Highway 321 and 73 intersection in Townsend, Tennessee, 3/4 mile from entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Admission

Adults (18-59) $6
Seniors (60+) $4
Children (6-17) $4
Under 6 Free
Admission Free with Membership 

(Contact us for membership application)

To travel thousands of years to the past, just leave your car in the parking lot.

clay pots Join us at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center to celebrate the cultural heritage of East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Moutains region. Our gallery exhibits, educational programs, demonstrations and festivals guide you on an historic journey through time to visit the diverse cultures of Townsend and Tuckaleechee Cove.

Native Americans of East Tennessee

Artifacts representing 5,000 years of Native American life related to hunting, pottery, foodways, ceremony, games, medicine, and trade.

Pioneer and Mountain Culture

Daily life, family and community, medicine, industry, recreation, and education.

Tennessee on the Move

A postal wagon, farming vehicles, a surrey, a freight wagon, and road construction equipment.

Historic Buildings

  • The Cardwell Log Cabin
  • The Montvale Station
  • Smokehouse
  • Two Cantilever Barns
  • Set-off House from Little River Lumber Company 
  • Wheelwright Shop
  • Sawmill
  • Underground Still/Shed
  • Granary

2009 Events

Dates subject to change.

June 7 - August 2
Rhythm & Roots: Southern Music Traditions
The Southern Arts Federation's Southern Visions: The Southern Arts & Culture Traveling Exhibits Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. Presented by NAI Knoxville, Humanities Tennessee, Southern Arts Federation and National Endowment Association.

 

Includes special programming during the exhibit period. Please go to EVENTS page (link below) to learn more.

June 12 - August 21, Fridays

          SUNSET MUSIC SERIES                  

Sponsored by Pilot Oil and BankEast

June 12 Hokum's Heroes

June 19 Blue Mother Tupelo

July 3 Sparky and Rhonda Rucker

July 24 John Myers Band

July 31 Wild Blue Yonder

August 14 Y'uns

August 21 Steve Kaufman

All concerts begin at 7:00 pm in the covered amphitheater. Admission $4 (free for Heritage Center members). Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks available for purchase on-site.
July 10, Friday
An Appalachian Celebration *
In partnership with Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont

August 29-30, Saturday & Sunday

Smoky Mountain Woodcarving Festival

Presented by the Townsend Artisan Guild

September 26, Saturday
Blue Ribbon Country Fair *

 Premium List

Entry Form
September/October
Fall Concert Series
October 17, Saturday
AAA Antique Car Event *
October/December
Holiday Concert Series
October
GSMHC Guild Golf Tournament
October 24, Saturday
UT Field School Fall Nature Photography Workshop
November 7, Saturday
Veterans Day Celebration
December
Smoky Mountain Christmas Member Event
*Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th Anniversary sanctioned event.

For a complete events schedule, visit our Events Page