The history of the 300-acres of the new Appalachian Cultural Center is unique. In the shadow of Picken Nose Mountain (elevation 4,758 feet), tumbles Betty Creek, named for the legendary Native American child who ran down the mountain to warm settlers below of impending danger and then died in their arms. The Cherokee child, Betty was befriended and named by the settlers. Her memory is beloved still because she desired all people to live in peace and has become a permanent link connecting the red man and the white man. The creek named for her is a living symbol of harmony among all people.

High above Betty Creek is a sacred Native American cave. Within the rock formation that guards a waterfall below is an impression of a proud but sorrowful face.

Go above the cave to find a Signal Tree—fashioned many years ago by the Native Americans to point the way to a place of importance. This tree is bent to point the way to the cave below because it served as a hideout when the Cherokees fled to avoid being forced to leave their homes and walk the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma, in 1838-9.

The practice of a Signal Tree goes as far back as prehistoric nomadic Indians who came from Asia. Although historians credit the Miami Indians with the invention of the Signal Tree, the Cherokees brought the practice south.

This rich history now becomes the living heritage explored through various programs at the Appalachian Cultural Center at Cope Crest.

A week-long program called From the White Leaf That Fell will be offered May 24-29, September 13-18 and November 1-6. Through this program, participants will experience a week in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains as they explore their own creativity through writing, visual art, storytelling, Tai Chi and other creative outlets.

Scheduled to open in July is an old-time mountain homestead with front porch storytelling and music. Planned for day-long excursions, weekend outings and week-long learning adventures, the participants will ride a "Wildcat Express" up a rugged mountain road to visit a working Appalachian homesite, the sacred cave and Signal Tree, then walk a nature trail into the rain forest and enjoy an old-time dinner of authentic Appalachian dishes prepared from the Cope-Brown family recipe collection.

After dinner, participants on Friday evening may attend a new mountain outdoor drama, The Spirit of Appalachia, written by local author Amy Ammons Garza, based on books she has written about her family. The drama is a musical journey into the lives of Tom and Retter Ammons, Scotch-Irish settlers, and Retter’s Native American grandfather. The emotion-filledstory is about the unusual romance of young Tom and Retter in the rugged wilderness of Appalachia.

Saturday evenings, visitors to the Center will enjoy a multi-cultural performance of All Together Now featuring storytelling, toe-tapping banjo and guitar, and dancing and drumming from many cultures ranging from Native American to Latino and African.

Other programs will also be offered throughout a 32-week season. These include human and natural history of the Southern Highlands, the Appalachian Trail, the local natural environment, music and songs, square dancing, healthy living and the benefits of Tai Chi, creative writing and visual art based on heritage, and much more.

The Appalachian Cultural Center at Cope Crest, a non-profit educational center, is within driving distance of all Southeastern states. It is 80 miles south of Asheville, NC, 100 miles north of Atlanta, 80 miles west of Greenville, SC, 150 miles west of Chattanooga, TN.