African American Experiences in the Smokies

Job corpsmen working in the park.

NPS Photo

Storytelling

Have you ever sat with a grandparent or elder, listening to stories that stirred your curiosity and pride—stories that helped shape your understanding of where you came from and what your community has achieved? These stories are the heart of our national heritage.

In 2018, Great Smoky Mountains National Park launched the African American Experiences in the Smokies project to explore and share the many ways African Americans have shaped, contributed to, and lived within the Smokies and surrounding Appalachian communities. This project is a collaboration among park staff, community members, scholars, and partner organizations to highlight the enduring legacy and contributions of African Americans in the region.

For generations, these stories have been passed down around campfires, on sunny front porches, and in family homes. Now, they are being preserved and shared more broadly so that all Americans may better appreciate the depth and richness of our shared past.

What Are We Studying?

The park is conducting research to uncover and present a fuller picture of American history in the Smokies. Topics include service and labor, family life, faith and community, military service, entrepreneurship, education, and recreation—as well as the challenges African Americans faced and overcame during key periods such as the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Through oral histories, archival research, and community engagement, we are working to ensure that these stories—many of which reflect courage, perseverance, and contribution to the American story—are included in our interpretation of the park’s past.

Why Is This Project Important?

Telling the full story of the Smokies means recognizing and celebrating all the people who have contributed to the landscape and communities we value today. By sharing the African American experience in this region, we aim to educate and inspire visitors through interpretive programs, exhibits, and digital media.

We invite you to be part of this effort. If you have information, photos, or stories that could contribute to this project, please reach out. This is a story for all Americans, and it is still being written.