About Us
Mission
To promote and preserve the natural and cultural resources of McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties through a cultural tourism program designed to:
- increase visitation to the region
- serve as an educational tool
- act as a catalyst for economic development
- strengthen local capacity
Guiding Principles
- authenticity
- thoughtful interpretation
- strengthened local capacity
- partnership development
- respect for local values
- preservation of cultural and natural resources
- creative marketing
Background
The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association began in 1990 when McMinn, Monroe, and Polk counties (3 rural counties in southeastern Tennessee) were selected as pilot area for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Heritage Tourism Initiative. Upon completion of the three-year pilot period the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association became a permanent entity, chartered in the State of Tennessee as a private, not-for-profit organization. It is governed by an advisory council made up of people from McMinn, Monroe and Polk Counties as well as representatives from several local, state, and federal government agencies. The counties of McMinn, Monroe and Polk, and the City of Etowah provide annual funding for basic operations. Special projects are funded by state and federal grants, donations, and earned income.
Ongoing Projects and Activities
The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association
- raises money for and manages an annual marketing campaign
- responds to visitor inquiries
- produces promotional and educational materials
- maintains a database of visitor inquiries
- sponsors training workshops to sharpen local skills
- coordinates familiarization tours for travel writers and tourism professionals
- provides free technical assistance to local groups for special projects
- works with state and federal agencies, artists, arts presenters, museums and other groups to expand arts and humanities programs across the region.
- works in partnership with managers of public lands and conservation groups to promote conservation and develop educational programs
- works with regional, state and national agencies on economic development
- maintains an electronic directory of arts and artists in the Tennessee Overhill
- promotes local agriculture businesses through an active agri-tourism program
- develops interpretive and promotional materials for the Furs to Factories Heritage Area
- sponsors the Tennessee Overhill Traditional Performance Series
Awards and Accolades
- 1994 Tennessee Governor's Award for Community Arts
- 1995 USDA Forest Service Award for Leadership in Rural Communities Assistance
- 1998 USDA Forest Service Spirit Award
- 2000 USDA Forest Service Spirit Award
- Featured as a case study in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 1994 publication, Getting Started: A Guide to Heritage Tourism Development
- Highlighted in the President's Committee on the Arts & Humanities Position Paper on Cultural Tourism which was presented at the White House Conference on Tourism in 1996
- Featured as a case study in Share Your Heritage: Cultural Tourism Success Stories, booklet that was produced by the National Trust for Historic Preservation - 2001
- Cited as a case study in Measuring Community Success and Sustainability, a community development workbook that was produced by the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development - 1999
- Invited presenter at arts, tourism, and economic development conferences across the US.
Projects Underway
Below is a sampling of regional projects completed or underway in the Tennessee Overhill. Local projects have also received technical assistance, and in some cases funding from the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association, but they are not included in this list.
River & Culture Based Tourism Initiative. TOHA is working with partners across the region to identify niche markets and develop strategies to reach those markets in order to promote the cultural and natural resources of the region in more effective ways.
Unicoi Turnpike. The Unicoi Turnpike is a historic road that once connected the coastal areas of South Carolina to what was the western frontier in East Tennessee. The section of the road that runs from Vonore, Tennessee to Murphy, North Carolina was declared a National Millennium Flagship Trail. The Tennessee portion of the trail is being developed as an auto and pedestrian trail.
Old Line Railroad. TOHA is collaborating with partners in Polk and McMinn counties, as well as state and federal economic development agencies to preserve the Historic Old Line Railroad. The line was built in 1890 and includes the Historic L&N Loop, the third longest rail loop in the world.
Cherokee Heritage Trail. The Cherokee Heritage Trail is a project of the Blue Ridge Initiative. TOHA is working with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Tennessee Arts Commission, North Carolina Arts Council, and other partners to promote Cherokee heritage and arts in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. A guidebook was recently published and interpretive signs will be installed in 2004.
African-American Heritage Project. Through the first phase of this project TOHA worked with four African-American churches to gather historic photographs from African-American neighborhoods in the Overhill. The second phase will focus on developing an online exhibit of selected photographs.
Tellico Blueway. TOHA is working with the National Park Service and partners in Monroe County, Tennessee, as well as managers of public lands to develop a canoe trail on the Tellico River from Tellico Plains, Tennessee to the Tennessee River.
Traditional Performance Series. Through this project, TOHA provides subsidized artists’ fees for small community events and festivals.
Ongoing Programs & Projects
Cultural Legacy Project. The focus of this project is to identify indigenous art forms and artists, build the local arts presenting infrastructure, provide assistance to area non-profits and artists, and develop exciting ways to interpret the culture and landscape of the region as a way to educate both visitors and residents.
From Furs to Factories. The purpose of this project is to interpret the history of the Industrial Revolution in McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties. Activities included research, production and installation of interpretive signs, publishing a book and brochure, and working with communities on program development and interpretation.
The Tennessee Overhill: A Cultural Landscape. Photographs by Mark Steinmetz and an essay by James Jones offer a different look at the Overhill landscape, The exhibit, with accompanying catalog, is available to travel outside the Overhill region for a fee.
Roadside Signs: Expressions of Place. Photographs by Tom Rankin and an essay by Brent Cantrell offer a fresh look at the landscape and culture of the Overhill, (exhibit & book). The Southern Arts Federation is circulating the exhibit as part of its Southern Visions.
AgriCulture in the Tennessee Overhill. TOHA annually surveys agriculture businesses and produces a brochure that is designed to lead visitors to places where they can buy local agricultural products and enjoy agricultural landscapes.
Archives. Includes slides, local histories, historic photographs, and informational booklets.
Completed Projects
National Trust for Historic Preservation Heritage Tourism Initiative in McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties. This three-year pilot program is recognized nationally as a successful program.
Olympic Preparation. The Overhill planned and managed the cultural events that occurred as part of the 1996 Olympic Canoe and Kayak Competition, sponsored a five-year marketing study, developed a hospitality training curriculum, sponsored a workshop on hosting international visitors, assisted the Ducktown Basin Museum with a festival to showcase local culture, and produced collateral materials for both educational and marketing purposes.
Economic Impact of Travel & Tourism Research Project. This study identified appropriate economic indicators for tracking travel and tourism in the Overhill and tracked them over a 5-year period. Selected indicators that were identified through the study are still used to track the impact of travel on the Tennessee Overhill.
Bald Mountain Railroad Excursion. TOHA negotiated and assisted with planning for railroad excursions along the Historic L&N Old Line from Etowah to Copperhill in 1991, 1992, and 1993.
Visitor Orientation Signs & Maps. TOHA produced and installed visitor orientation signs at selected high traffic areas across the region. Map pads, with key attractions were also produced and continue to be distributed annually.
Rural Connections I & II. The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association and the following constituent groups participated in programs sponsored by the East Tennessee Community Design Center and the East Tennessee Foundation to train local people in ways to increase community income: Coker Creek Ruritan Club, Copperhill CANDO, Friends of Reliance, Etowah Historical Commission, Community Action Group of Englewood.
Major Contributors
McMinn County
Monroe County
Polk County
City of Etowah
Cherokee National Forest
USDA Forest Service
Tennessee Arts Commission
Humanities Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
Tennessee Department of Transportation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Endowment for the Arts
Southeast Tennessee Development District
USDA Rural Development
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
James Tax Service of Etowah
Wal-Mart
Southeast Tennessee Resource Conservation Development Council
East Tennessee Foundation
Tennessee Valley Authority
North Carolina Arts Council
Staff
Linda Damron Caldwell
Executive Director
lcaldwell@tennesseeoverhill.com
Shyam Nunley
Special Projects Coordinator
snunley@tennesseeoverhill.com
Contact Information
Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association
PO Box 143
727 Tennessee Avenue
Etowah, TN 37331
Phone: (423) 263-7232
Fax: (423) 263-1670
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