Great Smoky Mountains National Park

America’s first National Parks were created out West.  By the early 20^th century, Easterners who feared the loss of nature in their rapidly industrializing region wanted their own park.  Businessmen and outdoorsmen in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, led by the well-known author Horace Kephart, pushed their region for its location.  Funds provided by the Federal government, the states of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Rockefeller Family Foundation, and a children’s penny crusade made the dream come true in 1940 when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated.  Over a half million beautiful mountain acres containing an extraordinary range of plant and animal life were preserved for the enjoyment of future generations of hiker, campers, and fishermen.

Multimedia:

Below is the Digital Heritage Moment as broadcast on the radio:

[audio:http://digitalheritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/GSMPark-60-mix.mp3|titles=GSMPark 60 mix]