Great Smokies African American Experience Events

Three African American men are standing holding instruments - a tuba, guitar, and fiddle with a bow. They are each wearing a shirt, pants, coat, and a hat. They are standing outside with trees in the background. Photo: Blount County Public Library — Three African American men are standing holding instruments – a tuba, guitar, and fiddle with a bow. They are each wearing a shirt, pants, coat, and a hat. They are standing outside with trees in the background. Photo: Blount County Public Library

Untold histories of African Americans in southern Appalachia.

In 2018, Great Smoky Mountains National Park realized that there was a missing piece to its rich puzzle of history, which led to the park’s latest endeavor, the African American Experience Project. This project is a collaborative effort to document and share the untold stories of African Americans in and outside the Smokies. These stories have been shared by many African Americans around crackling campfires, sun-beaten front porches, and lamp lit rooms, but they have yet to be shared with the world.

To tell these stories, the park is conducting research into African American experiences in the Great Smoky Mountains region of Appalachia from the early 1540s to the present-day. Topics include slavery, the American Civil War, social dynamics, laws and policies, careers, recreation, and oral histories.

“In the heart of these mountains, you can find an African American doctor who served his community for 40 years, Job Corpsmen who continued the legacy of the CCC by building roads and trails that we enjoy today, and sacred burial grounds that date back to the 1860s,” said Great Smoky Mountains Science Communicator Antoine Fletcher. “Better understanding this unique African American experience helps us better share the full history of the Appalachian mountains.”

At these events, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the history of African Americans in the park by attending a 30-minute program. Facilitators will lead an open discussion about current research and upcoming projects.

Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 2 p.m. Hosted by Western North Carolina University

The National Park Service’s Antoine Fletcher will be leading this event. Mr Fletcher has been compiling oral histories in order to document and share the untold stories of African Americans in and outside the Smoky Mountains. There will be a 20 minute presentation by Mr. Fletcher, followed by a Q & A session.

Thursday, October 22, 2021 (time to be determined) – Hosted by the University of North Carolina-Asheville

The events are free and open to everyone. Visit www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/historyculture/town-hall-events.htm to register.

Great Smoky Mountains Association hopes to uncover lost African American stories

While African Americans have been in the Great Smoky Mountains region since at least the early 16th century, knowledge of their presence is relatively low. The park is conducting this research effort to better understand the untold history of the African American experience in southern Appalachia. With the help of the National Park Service and a Ph.D. student from Rutgers, the association believes it can fill in many blanks in the park’s history.

Please visit www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/historyculture/african-american-experience-project.htm for updated information, or if you have any leads on people, places, or events that connect with the African American Experience Project.

Post Views: 85