Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
Museums, Historical Sites, and ZoosTennessee, United States2-10 Employees
The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is a non-profit organization based in Townsend, Tennessee, focused on preserving, protecting, and promoting the history and culture of the Great Smoky Mountains region. Its mission emphasizes documenting the experiences of both pioneers and Native American communities who settled in East Tennessee, with the goal of safeguarding the area’s historical narrative for current and future generations. Operating within the museums, historical sites, and zoos sector, the center serves visitors and researchers interested in the region’s heritage, offering a strand of cultural and educational value rooted in local history. The organization is established as a small, community-oriented institution dedicated to curating and presenting the history of the people who shaped the mountain communities. In recent context, the center engages with regional cultural stakeholders and participates in efforts to sustain its role as a repository and interpreter of regional traditions.