Tennessee's Heritage Trail depicts rich history

Tennessee's Heritage Trail depicts rich history

Tennessee's history is rich and diverse. Historic sites, trails, music, crafts and the arts paint a colorful picture of two centuries of statehood. The Tennessee Heritage Trail has been recently developed by the State in order to highlight the cultural heritage of our people, and numerous Gatlinburg-area locations have been designated as integral stops along the Trail.

The Tennessee Heritage Trail is divided into three pathways:

On the Arts & Crafts Trail you'll find folk art, white oak baskets, watercolors, sculpture and lithographs. You'll also come face to face with players in outdoor dramas and be entertained by elaborate stage productions that tell the history of Tennessee and give life to newly created works. In Gatlinburg, Arts & Crafts Trail stops feature Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community.

Arrowmont, a nationally known visual arts complex, provides year-round changing gallery exhibits, along with an extensive fine arts resource center and bookstore. 556 Parkway (865)436-5860

The Arts & Crafts Community features shops, studios and galleries of over 80 artists and craftsmen all in an 8-mile loop. Hwy. 321, Glades and Buckhorn Roads (865)671-3600 ext. 3504.

The History Trail allows you to discover the people and events that shaped America's 16th state. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park rightfully stands as Gatlinburg's area designee on this trail. Bountiful folklore regarding the early settlers of White Oak Flats, now known as Gatlinburg and the National Park, weaves an unparalleled yarn of mountain life and times from hundreds of years ago.

By following Tennessee's Music Trail, you'll find diverse styles evolving from three cultural traditions. East Tennessee's Appalachian region is known for its folk songs and bluegrass, which evolved from the immigrant influences of the 1700s. In Gatlinburg, look for Music Trail features in two locales: Smoky Mountain Travelers and Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre.

The Smoky Mountain Travelers feature live bluegrass and mountain music, with shows nightly. 715 Parkway (865)436-4194.

Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre is billed as a triple feature evening of an original musical comedy, an audience participation sing-a-long, and an olio review. 461 Parkway (865) 436-4038.