GSMNP Seeking Help Identifying Former Homesite Locations

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials are seeking help to identify and document former homesite locations within the park. Volunteer-In-Park Frank March, in conjunction with Park Archeologist Allison Harvey, are leading the research efforts that includes documenting field locations with associated historic records. The public is invited to join park staff and volunteers at Ramsey Hotel and Conference Center at 3230 Parkway in Pigeon Forge during Wilderness Wildlife Week from Tuesday, Jan28, to Saturday, Feb 1 to learn more about the project and to add copies of their historic records to the park’s collection.

Estimates put the number of former homesites in the park at more than 2,800. Records associated with the purchase of approximately 1,200 farms between 1920 and 1940 for the creation of the park are preserved in the park’s Collections Preservation Center. Others have been documented since, but park officials say many more remain, including homesites from before the 20th century. The park encourages the public to bring historic photos of old homesites, hand drawn maps or other documents that will help the park identify those locations. Several additional volunteers who are familiar with homesites in specific areas of the park, such as Elkmont, Greenbrier, Sugarlands and the North Shore of Fontana Lake, will also be on hand for this event.