Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
Preserving Our Unique History and Rich Culture
Experience the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
Experience the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
Preserve. Protect. Promote.
Connect with the spirit and history of Townsend, Cades Cove, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Our museum offers something for everyone, from hands-on activities to tours of original 19th-century buildings and our Cherokee Native American Collection. Our Educational Programming, Summer Concert Series, and Festivals & Special Events round out the rich cultural experience to be found at the GSM Heritage Center.
- Captivating Museum Exhibits
- Hands-on activities for young and old, including live historic interpreters in authentic dress
- Countless indoor and outdoor exhibits from firearms to forges
- Authentic 19th-Century buildings in a Historic Village and Farmstead
- A significant Cherokee Native American Collection
- Spectacular guided bus tours of beautiful Cades Cove (bear sightings are commonplace)
Year-round educational programming appeals to kids and families. The spacious 375 seat covered amphitheater features a wildly popular Summer Concert Series. Plus, festivals & special events bring thousands to the center year after year.
Exhibits & Galleries
Ancient pottery discovered in Townsend. Stone tools. Historic and prehistoric artifacts dating back over 10,000 years!
Historic Village
Numerous preserved and operating Appalachian buildings in the Historic Village.
Concerts & Events
Festivals of all Kinds, Special Events, and a spectacular Summer Concert Series.
Educational Programs
A premier facility for traditional and non-traditional hands-on history learning experiences.