Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center

heritage center cabin in spring

Hours

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday -Saturday
1 - 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.

Eleven Historic Buildings

  • The Cardwell Log Cabin
  • The Montvale Station
  • Smokehouse
  • Two Cantilever Barns
  • Set-off House from Little River Lumber Company 
  • Wheelwright Shop and more!

Events
Spring Heritage Festival
May 3, Saturday
Presented by Integrity Development Group, Inc.
Media Sponsor: The Daily Times
Schedule (all times and programs subject to change)
Heritage Happening: "Flavors of Our Heritage"
(by invitation)
May 17, Saturday
Presented by the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Guild
Item list
"Hoofbeats in the Heartland"
A Civil War exhibit from the Tennessee State Museum
May 23 - July 13
Member Reception May 29, 5 - 7 PM
Presented by Citizens Bank of Blount County
Dr. William Bass
"Dr. Bass - Books and Bones, Part II"
Anthropologist and Author
Saturday, May 31
Sunset Concert Series
Concerts begin at 7:00 PM
Presented by BankEast
Friday, June 20 Sparky & Rhonda Rucker
Friday, June 27 Ghost Mountain Rhythm & Blues
Friday, July 18 Blue Mother Tupelo
Friday, July 25 Labron Lazenby & LA3
Friday, August 1 Jeff Barbra & Sara Pirkle
Saturday, October 4 Wild Blue Yonder
Saturday, October 11 Jenna & The Joneses
See More Here...
Smoky Mountain Field School
"Clean Air and Burnt Fingers: Living the Mountain Life"
June 7, Saturday
(www.outreach.utk.edu)
Summer Day Camp
Presented by Foothills Kiwanis and the Community Enhancement Grant
June 9 - 13 Exploring Appalachian Mountain Culture
June 16 - 20 Exploring Native American Life and History
June 23 - 27: Exploring Agriculture, Animals, and Archaeology of the Great Smoky Mountains
Click here for pre-registration form
Appalachian Celebration
July 11, Friday
In partnership with Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Blue Ribbon Country Fair
September 27, Saturday
Presented by Akins/Crisp Public Strategies, Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Joy Bishop, Blackberry Farm, Citizens Bank of Blount County, Clayton Homes, Comcast, DENSO, John Emert DDS, First Tennessee Bank, Fletcher Architects, Inc., Foothills Farmers Coop, Green Bank, Joseph Construction, Merit Construction, Miller's Funeral Home, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Smith Mortuary, Barry and Jeanie VanWinkle, Williams Realty
Benefit Golf Tournament
Friday, October 10
Rarity Pointe Golf Course
Presented by the GSMHC Guild
The Tomato Head
Thursday, October 23, All Day
Purchase a Reuben sandwich at the restaurant (Maryville location only) on this date and the full price goes to the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center!
Veterans Day Celebration
November 8, Saturday
Smoky Mountain Christmas
Member Reception
(by invitation)
Date to be announced

For a complete events schedule, visit our Events Page