Do you love the Smoky Mountains? We sure do! So, we’re excited to share that funding has been approved for a new archive facility right here in the Smokies. The National Park Service Joint Curatorial Collection Facility will be built next to the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend. Set to hold nearly 900,000 artifacts and archival records, the center will be a great addition to the East Tennessee area.
(Recommended Reading: Best Places to See Spring Wildflowers in the Smokies)
The 900,000 pieces include approximately 422,000 original artifacts and 450,000 archival records. Some of the things that will be stored at the center include: photos, land records, clothing, farm tools, logging equipment and Andrew Johnson’s presidential papers. Also at the facility, there will be information stored of families who once lived in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The facility will also benefit other federal parks, like the Andrew Johnson National Historical Site, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park and more. Since these federal parks don’t have proper storage facilities, they will be able to keep their artifacts and records safe from physical and environmental problems.
The archive facility in the Great Smoky Mountains will total at $4.3 million. Over $2 million of that total will come from private donations while the other $2 million is federal money (National Park Service).
If you love the Smoky Mountains, make sure to stay in one of Timber Tops Cabin Rentals where you can experience luxurious amenities at a price that meets your budget. Whether you’re looking for a cabin with a pool, exciting game room or splendid mountain view, our vacation specialists can help you find the best cabin for your stay. Give us a call at (877) 549-6775 to start your planning!
