Educating our guests is paramount to our mission at the Heritage Center. Without education, we could never fully comprehend the sacrifices and contributions made by those that came before us.
The Heritage Center is one of East Tennessee’s premier facilities for non-traditional, hands-on learning. Students and visitors learn about centuries-old Cherokee culture and the immigration of European settlers to the area. Our programs provide educational and cultural enrichment by interpreting and sharing the history of the diverse peoples and Native Americans who have inhabited the Southern Appalachians and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Whether it’s student groups or adults, day camps, daycares, civic organizations, or retirement groups, we strive to expose as many people as possible to the fascinating traditions of our past.


Junior Appalachian Musicians Program
The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is excited to announce the continuation of our JAM Program for the Spring of 2023. JAM seeks to preserve our important mountain music heritage by offering low cost lessons in fiddle, banjo, and guitar, as well as other instruments of the Appalachian region to small groups of students in an after-school setting. Classes will begin February, 13th and run through May 1st. Please fill out this form for registration and more information.
Click poster for printable version.
