There is a Story in Every corner.
Our story begins in February 1999, when a University of Tennessee archaeologist unearthed a piece of pottery that was more than a thousand years old. This discovery began an excavation that unearthed millions of artifacts buried for centuries in Tuckaleechee Cove, known today as Townsend. The Heritage Center was conceived and built in 2005 to preserve this history and house these artifacts.
Supported by a group of responsible community leaders from both the public and private sector, the center has thrived and worked to provide programming that “teaches the mind and touches the spirit”. At the Heritage Center, you will find a compelling story in every corner.
Francis Graffeo, Chief Executive Officer
Trevor Lanier, Curator
Jill Cable, Administrative Assistant, Membership Manager, Cades Cove Heritage Tours Manager
Lorna Keathley, Associate Curator, Curator of Technology & Visitor Experience
Position Open – Museum Events Coordinator
Position Open – Curator of Education
Katrina Kursell, Social Media Coordinator
Tommy Stokes, Branding & Marketing
Zee Johnston, Sales Associate
Lizzie McCroskey, Sales Associate
Sarah Pirkle, Music Educator, Junior Appalachian Musicians
Warren Bielenberg, Cades Cove Tour Guide
Stan Lewandowski, Cades Cove Tour Guide
Mike Meldrum, Cades Cove Tour Guide
Ken Pleat, Cades Cove Tour Guide
Mark Snyder, Cades Cove Tour Guide
Randal Pierce, Vintage Firearms Expert
Ben Barrington, Vintage Firearms Expert
Gerry Cook, Shuttle Bus Driver
Bruce King, Shuttle Bus Driver
Mike Steeves, Shuttle Bus Driver
Chris Ross, Sound Engineer
Sam Venable, Guest Host for Cades Cove Specialty Tour
Ben Boring, Landscaper
Suzanne Davis – Crochet, Cherokee Storybook, Scotch Hoops Game Presenter
Jack Mann, Village Tour Guide
Jodi Savage, Historic Textiles
Donna Stinnett, Historic Presenter
Debbie & Dan Dickie, Heirloom Gardener
Allison & Rodney Pearson, Heirloom Gardener
Janie Bitner, Heirloom Gardener
Diane Rohtert, Heirloom Gardener
Dino & Claire Dienst, Historic Textiles
Scott Payne, Blacksmith
Preston Farabow, Blacksmith
Wilson Browning, Blacksmith
Dawn Arneach, Cherokee Storyteller
Landon Arneach, Cherokee Storyteller
Gordon Sisk, Overmountain Man
Mark Guenther, Sorghum Molasses Maker
Shannon Lydic, Historic Textiles
Shana Haynes, Hearth Cooking
Heather Linke, Historic Textiles
Brenda DeArmond, Broom Maker
Patty Benton, Historic Textiles
Mark & Nancy Shedden, Historic Textiles
Daniel Tallent, Master Sheepshearer
Tom Knight, Woodworker
Jeanie & Richard Hilten, Musician
Steve Brooks, Musician
Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club
Smoky Mountain Flute Circle
Grace Notes Flute Choir
Sarah Pirkle, Junior Appalachian Musicians Instructor and Manager
Jeff Barbra, Junior Appalachian Musicians Instructor
Joe Lock, Junior Appalachian Musicians Instructor
Jay Tipton, Junior Appalachian Musicians Instructor
Graciela Pagin, Administrative Volunteer
Frank & Mug Akers, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Scottie & Lisa Mayfield, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Ron & Claire Andersen, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Susan Cooper, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Doug & Kris Dickman, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Cotton Dunlap, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Poultry Manager
Mary Beth Lima, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Steve & Felicia Mikels, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Demonstrator – Farm Animals
Sheri & David Liles, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Demonstrators – Weavers
Susan McCollum, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Steve Myers, Blue Ribbon Country Fair – Antique Tractors
Betty Peabody, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Louise Presley, Blue Ribbon Country Fair Volunteer
Foothills Quilters Club
Townsend Artisan Guild
CONTACT US
Interested in a Career?
Open job listings will be posted here.
For additional questions please email: executivedirector@gsmheritagecenter.org
Interested in Membership?
We’d love have you as a member. Basic annual memberships are priced at $45 (individual), $80 (couple), and $90 (family) and include many wonderful benefits.
Please email:
jcable@gsmheritagecenter.org
Interested in Donating a Historic Artifact?
We’d love to talk to you about it. All donations are tax deductible!
Please email: tlanier@gsmheritagecenter.org
Interested in volunteering?
We are always looking for folks to demonstrate traditional crafts and skills, no experience needed.
Please email:
jcable@gsmheritagecenter.org
Cades Cove Heritage Tours:
Available May through October
865-448-8838
P.O. Box 268
Townsend, TN 37882
2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Melody Silverberg
Chair
Mark Oldham
Vice Chair
Chris Soro
Treasurer
Carmen Simpher
Secretary
Leslee T. Alexander
Jenny Boyd
Carolyn Forster
Elvira Grant
Virginia Hardwick
Michael Headrick
Jennifer Hicks
Kathy Johnson
Katie Branham Kerr
Carl Koella III
Fred Lawson
Emily Mantooth
Justin Marcus
Tom McCroskey
John Morgan
Jim Proffitt
Christy Slavick
John Trotter
Bryan White
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS:
Frank Akers
Kreis Beall
Linda Gullefsen
Brad Bowers
Alison Hicks
Jeff Jopling
Baird Todd
Russell Townsend
