Smokies start on plans to participate in the National Park Centennial Initiative

Elkmont Historic District
Brian Stansberry | WikimediaCommons

The Great Smokies are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year but eyes are already on the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.  Every National Park has put together local strategies to help perpetuate the vision of the National Park Service.  In 2008, Great Smoky Mountains National Park was approved to initiate projects worth $340,000.  Half of the funding comes from the federal government while the second half has been matched by the Great Smoky Mountains Association and the Friends of the Smokies organizations.

 

According to the 2007 First Annual Centennial Strategy for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains Association is partner organization that has brought in $18 million through educational sales.  Friends of the Smokies has donated $19 million since 1993.

 

The money will be spread across three projects suggested in the Centennial Strategy.  The first $100,000 will go towards new exhibits of cultural heritage in the new Oconaluftee Visitor Center.  The new visitor center near Cherokee, NC is being funded by a $2.5 million contribution from the Great Smoky Mountain Association.  The culturally-focused visitor center will contrast nicely with the Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg, which primarily displays nature in the Smoky Mountains.

 

The majority of funds, $200,000, will be spent to enhance the Elkmont area of the Park.  Many of the buildings in the Elkmont Historic District are deteriorating and need to be fixed in order to preserve the area for interpretation.  The funds will also be used to investigate and report what long-term measures need to be taken in order to restore and preserve the buildings.  

 

The remaining $40,000 will be used to purchase computer software and equipment to help virtual visitors experience the Smokies.  An example of this would be a broadcast of online podcasts, or mini-films.  It is hoped that this will help the Park reach a younger group of visitors and people who would otherwise not be able to “visit” the Smokies.  The “Downloadable Park” would help the Smoky Mountains disseminate information more quickly and to a wider audience.

 

Other projects proposed in the 2007 Centennial Strategy included invasive species control, scientific studies of pollution and species, alternative energy exploration, school partnerships, and education programs at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.