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Got Long Ties to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Park Officials Want to Hear From You

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials are looking for folks with ties to the landscape that became the park. The Palmer Chapel is one of the historic buildings that predated the park. Kurt Repanshek photo.

Were you born on the landscape now covered by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or were you perhaps a member of a Civil Conservation Corps group that worked in the park? Or were you in attendance when President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the park in 1940? If you fall into any of those groups, park officials want to hear from you.

The reason is that this is the park's 75th anniversary, and park officials want to celebrate in part by tapping into the memories of those with strong ties to the park's early days.

Although the Park was authorized by Congress in 1926, it wasn't established until June 15, 1934, and even then it wasn’t until six years later, on September 2, 1940, that President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the national park with a speech given from Newfound Gap.

In the years between authorization and dedication, there was a flurry of activity in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Citizens in the states of North Carolina and Tennessee raised money to purchase the land for the park. Hundreds of families sold their homes and land (some were forced to do so) and moved from the newly created national park. Young men from all over the country arrived to serve in the Civilian Conservation Corps, building roads, bridges, trails and buildings to serve visitors to the new park. Finally, thousands of people gathered as the President dedicated the park “to the free people of America.”

This year park officials view the 75th anniversary as "an opportunity for the Park to reconnect with some of these people, and continue their legacy of stewardship."

“This year we are making a special effort to recognize these former park families for their sacrifice in giving up their homes for the enjoyment of future generations. We are also proud to honor those former CCC “boys” who worked so hard to create the infrastructure that has enabled over 400 million visitors to enjoy their national park,” says Great Smoky Superintendent Dale Ditmanson.

Now, if you or a family member belongs to any one of the groups mentioned above, the park would like you to contact 75th Anniversary Coordinator Ann Froschauer at (865) 436-7318 x349 by July 24.

For more information about the 75th Anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit www.GreatSmokies75th.org.

Comments

My great uncle has traced his roots to Cades Cove. He's an Oliver.


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