Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
Explore the history and heritage of the Smoky Mountain Region of Tennessee and North Carolina!
Our next Fiber Fair vendor spotlight is Tinystitchesco!
This vendor creates adorable crocheted plushies of your favorite animals and pop culture characters that will melt your heart! From cuddly critters to beloved heroes, their creations are sure to bring a smile to your face. Come and shop for a lovable character for yourself or give them as a thoughtful gift to someone special!
Make sure to come see this vendor on April 25th & 26th during our 4th annual GSM Fiber Fair!
#greatsmokymountainsheritagecenter #gsmhc #smokymountainnationalpark #appalachia #tennessee #heritage #history #museum #fiberart #fiberartist #Fiber #fiberfair #fiberfestival #funevents #easttennessee #townsendtn #SupportSmallBusiness #tinystitchesco
Happy Women's History Month! Our notable woman of the week is Lydia Kear Whaley!
Lydia Kear Whaley was the definition of grit and heart. After losing her husband, Pvt. John Brabson Whaley, during the Civil War and burying her young son just a month prior, she decided to continue on and raise her two daughters alone all while becoming a pillar of strength in the Smokies.
Known as “Aunt Liddy,” she was a true jack-of-all-trades—midwife, basket weaver, preacher, undertaker, and tailor. She didn’t just sew men’s suits—she sheared the sheep, spun the wool, and even tanned leather for her own shoes. Her skills as a healer were legendary—she traveled the mountains caring for the sick and even treated herself after being bitten by a copperhead snake.
Later in life, Lydia helped push for the creation of the Phi Beta Phi Elementary School in Gatlinburg to preserve mountain traditions. In her seventies, she became the school’s first basket weaving instructor, passing down her skills to the next generation.
Lydia Kear Whaley’s legacy is one of resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication to her community—a true Smoky Mountain legend.
Have you heard of Lydia Kear Whaley before reading this?
Sources:
- www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/historyculture/women-history.htm?fullweb=1
- www.findagrave.com/memorial/8390672/lydia-whaley
Photo:
- ""Grannywoman" Lydia Kear Whaley". NPS photo.
#WomensHistoryMonth #SmokyMountainHistory #LydiaKearWhaley #AppalachianTraditions #MountainStrong #easttn #heritage #museum #tennessee #SmokyMountains #easttennessee #museumeducation #greatsmokymountainsheritagecenter #appalachia #appalachian #history #greatsmokies #townsendtn
It's officially Spring! One of our favorite times of the year is seeing the Heritage Center come to life with all the beautiful flowers! Make sure to stop by and smell the flowers soon!
#greatsmokymountainsheritagecenter #gsmhc #smokymountainnationalpark #appalachia #tennessee #heritage #history #museum #spring #springtime #SpringIsComing
We had an amazing time this past Saturday at the Return to our Roots: Herbal Syrups Class! Thank you to everyone who joined us! There are still tickets available for our next class, Return to our Roots: Herbal Tinctures/Glycerites!
You can get your tickets using the link below!
fareharbor.com/embeds/book/gsmheritagecenter/items/596197/availability/1681501164/book/?flow=8030...
#greatsmokymountainsheritagecenter #gsmhc #smokymountainnationalpark #appalachia #tennessee #heritage #history #museum #townsendtn #easttennessee #herbalife #herbalmedicine #herbalremedies #herbaltinctures #herbal
Our next Fiber Fair vendor spotlight is Clinch River Yarn Company!
They are home to a vibrant selection of premium quality yarns suitable for a variety of knitting, crocheting, and weaving projects! They strive to stay current with the latest industry trends, products, and technologies, to ensure that you have the information and fiber arts supplies you need for an enjoyable and successful handcrafting experience!
Make sure to come see them on April 25th & 26th during our 4th annual GSM Fiber Fair!
#greatsmokymountainsheritagecenter #gsmhc #smokymountainnationalpark #appalachia #tennessee #heritage #history #museum #fiberart #fiberartist #Fiber #fiberfair #fiberfestival #funevents #easttennessee #townsendtn #SupportSmallBusiness #clinchriveryarnco
