Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Jan 9 Oconaluftee Visitors' Center


When the forecast is rain all day, what do you do? Today I headed to the new Oconaluftee Visitors Center just outside Cherokee NC. The center was constructed and opened last year. It was a collaborative effort between the Great Smoky Mountain Association, Friends of the Smokies and the National Park Service. The GSMA donated just north of 3 million dollars, financed locally. The Friends ponied up about half a million for the interpretive exhibits. On the way there, we encountered this view above.


The center is a showcase building with passive energy and design. There is a floor of wormy chestnut reclaimed from a local barn. The exhibits here are outstanding.


Next to the center is a recreated mountain farm with buildings and garden as you might have found 100 years ago. I highly recommend spending a hour or more at this locale.

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