The Smoky Mountain Heritage Museum ranks among the most significant cultural institutions in all of East Tennessee. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, it’s become a prime showcase for the history and heritage of Appalachia, one that preserves the timeless traditions and archival treasures that share stories from the past.
Located at 123 Cromwell Dr. in Townsend, it now thrives under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Francis Graffeo and Curator Trevor Lanier, while offering an enlightening educational experience for individuals of all ages. In so doing, it effectively brings past to present throughout a sprawling campus that includes a museum, a village that boasts 18 historic homes and structures, indigenous peoples exhibits, and programs that cater to both children and adults.
Education through entertainment is also on the agenda. Here are the dates and times for this year’s offerings:
May 15 — 7:00 pm
The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center kicks off its ever-popular concert season courtesy of bluegrass from the Chicken Wire Empire. Known for their tight harmonies, articulate arrangements, and pure roots revelry, the concert will make for a highly satisfying spring evening in a unique special scenic setting.
May 22 — 7:00 pm
The Sugaree String Society launches the ever-popular Sunset Series for 2026. The band blends bluegrass tradition, a high lonesome sound, and adroit storytelling into a performance that blends both ageless influences with contemporary credence. A duo led by Jodi Jones and Brendan Macie, they combine wit, whimsy and authentic mountain music in a thoughtful and evocative way.
June 5 — 7:00 pm
The Barefoot Movement, a highly acclaimed acoustic group, brings their own brand of bluegrass to the Heritage Center with a focus on heartfelt harmonies, superior songwriting skills, and a decided penchant for popular music. They’ll share songs from their current album Let It Out while allowing their particular brand of energy and exuberance to engage the audience.
July 4 — 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
There ought to be no better way to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday than to enjoy it at a place that honors our ancestors year-round. The evening will include music from a 35-piece brass band beginning at 8:00 pm in the GSM Heritage Center’s covered Amphitheater, with any overflow audience seated on the lawn. The first 300 guests will receive complimentary American flags while everyone in attendance enjoys historical reenactments spotlighting the revolutionary era.
Led by celebrated conductor Danny Griffin, the musical selection will include the works of John Philip Sousa, Appalachian-themed sounds, and a salute to active-duty military personnel and military veterans. A fireworks display will originate in Downtown Townsend following the program.
“We aim for a moving, sensory, and participatory experience, one that delivers a rousing tribute to 18th-century American leaders, the world-changing declaration they created, and the very birth of the nation we cherish,” Graffeo stated in press release. Admission is a suggested $10 donation.
July 10 — 7:00 pm
Hailing from the mountains of western North Carolina, banjo player Murphy Campbell draws from her lengthy family lineage in creating music she calls “the remnants of a forgotten modal sound.” Her efforts focus on recreating old ballads that retain the haunting, timeless quality of the songs themselves. Her singular performances blend historical insights, an illuminating beauty, and a historical heritage that’s as pertinent now as it was in the past.
July 24 — 7:00 pm
The Eagles still fly high, which makes On the Border, The Ultimate Eagles Tribute such a popular performance year after year. The band flawlessly recreates this iconic outfit’s classic songs courtesy of their finely tuned harmonies, adroit instrumentation, and the nostalgia and nuance that have made this group such a stirring sensation. Tribute bands come and go, but On the Border is the real deal.
July 31 — 7:00 pm
There’s a clear reason why The Drift Boat Cowboys remain one of the most popular bands East Tennessee has to offer. Not only are they skilled multi-instrumentalists, but they’re also well-versed in a variety of different genres, from Americana, bluegrass, and outlaw country to rock and roll and their own indie rock regimen. They’re the ideal cover band, offering classics that their audiences readily relate to, as they prove with each performance.
August 28 — 7:00 pm
Having gained a highly respected reputation for her serendipitous vocals and skill on clawhammer banjo and any number of other traditional instruments, Meredith Moon is also an exceptional storyteller whose music combines the sounds of archival, folk, and blues with her own distinctly contemporary edge.
A self-taught musician whose career began by busking and traveling across Canada, Ms. Moon is known for her compelling vocals, inventive banjo playing, and songs that share meaning and messaging in equal proportions. Her recent album From Here To The Sea expands her sound while staying grounded in the roots traditions that first defined her so early on.
September 4 — 5:00 pm
Chatham Rabbits have become one of the most respected bands in bluegrass realms in recent times. Hailing from North Carolina, the duo, consisting of husband and wife Sarah and Austin McCombie, evoke an emotional embrace through story-driven songs and music derived from a decidedly personal perspective.
Given their creative chemistry, and melodies that emphasize the sound of banjo, guitar, and close-knit harmonies, their songs resonate with reflections of home, happenstance, and celebration of the seasons. While paying heed to tradition, they deliver a sound that’s decidedly their own.
September 26 — 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
In true country tradition, the Blue Ribbon Country Fair offers an opportunity to experience a variety of competitions, livestock, family-friendly activities, games, living history demonstrations, open-hearth cooking, spinning, weaving, wood turning, blacksmithing, and vendors.
It’s hardly surprising that it’s become a fall favorite, while also offering an opportunity to win a coveted blue ribbon of one’s own. Registration opens later this year. Competitions of all kinds abound, such as canning, photography, art, crafts, weaving, knitting, and more, all keeping to the spirit of a true country fair tradition.
October 2 — 7:00 pm
As their name suggests, Authentic Unlimited is the real deal when it comes to authentic bluegrass and original Americana. Known for their signature harmonies, astute instrumental prowess, and a sound that pays heed to tradition but remains clearly contemporary all at the same time.
The band comes by their efforts organically, given that their roster includes former members of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, one of the most respected bands in today’s bluegrass realms. It’s little wonder then that the group has quickly ascended to the top ranks of today’s erstwhile ensembles, having earned top honors from the IBMA, International Bluegrass Music Association, as well as critical kudos from both fans and pundits alike. Their energetic stage shows provide all the proof needed.
For further information on tickets and membership, phone 865-448-0044 or go to https://gsmheritagecenter.org.
