News Release

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Completes Reconstruction of Historic John Messer Barn in Greenbrier

A group of people cuts a ceremonial red ribbon while standing inside a newly-built historical barn — The park and Friends of the Smokies celebrated the completion of construction on Messer Barn with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
NPS photo by Erin Gilliland

News Release Date: September 29, 2026
Contact: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, has completed a full reconstruction of the historic John Messer Barn in Greenbrier following extensive storm damage. Park leadership, Friends of the Smokies leadership and descendants of the Greenbrier community celebrated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 28.

“Preserving historic buildings like the John Messer Barn helps the park honor and share the stories of the many people who called the Smokies home before it became a national park,” said Charles Sellars, superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. “We’re grateful to Friends of the Smokies for helping us care for this and other historic buildings across the park.”

The Messer Barn is the oldest structure in Greenbrier and the only building in that area that predates the establishment of the park. Multiple storm events severely damaged the barn, making it unsafe for visitors. The reconstruction incorporated traditional techniques and materials similar to the barn’s original construction, including hand-hewn-looking logs, wooden studs in place of nails and the careful preservation and reuse of the barn’s original doors.

Friends of the Smokies provided funding for the project through the Forever Places endowment, part of the Friends’ ongoing investment in preserving the park’s historic structures. Through donor support, Friends of the Smokies protects the historic buildings of the Smokies for present and future generations.

“The Messer Barn stands as a powerful reminder of the families, farms and way of life that once made up this mountain community,” said Dana Soehn, president and CEO of Friends of the Smokies. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this $465,000 investment ensures this special piece of Smokies history remains a part of these mountains for generations to come.”

Originally built in 1969 by Pinkney Whaley, the barn was later sold to John Messer. The classic double-cantilever barn, a style unique to East Tennessee, is among the many structures in the park listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Descendants of the Messer family also attended the ceremony, sharing stories of their parents and grandparents who lived on the property before the establishment of the national park.

The Messer Barn is located one mile up Porters Creek Trail.

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