Norris Highlands is rich in the traditions of Appalachian culture. The Museum of Appalachia is a living history museum of pioneers, mountain and early artifacts of Southern Appalachia. The museum was recently named as an affiliate of the great Smithsonian Institution for its natural beauty and history. The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum, the grist mills at Lenoir Museum and Big Ridge State Park, and the Historic Jackson Square presents visitors a glimpse of the life in early East Tennessee. Crafts and music also beckon. With the advent of warm and sunny weather, the “porch musicians” can be found at various venues offering daily live and informal performances of authentic old time music—along with a friendly welcome, a few “tall tales,” and tidbits of fascinating information about artifacts, and events.  Don’t miss the opportunity to shop the unique arts and crafts centers, such as Historic Downtown Clinton, featuring true Appalachian art including hand made quilts, glass, pottery, instruments and hand tied “flies.”

---

List of Local Attractions that have heritage and cultural displays:

Museum of Appalachia
2819 Andersonville Highway, Norris
865-494-7680
www.museumofappalachia.org
Discover John Rice Irwin’s 65-acre Appalachian history complex. This open air museum is called “the most authentic and complete replica of pioneer Appalachian life in the world.” The museum contains over 250,000 pioneer relics including 30 log structures including a chapel, schoolhouse, cabins and barns. Hours of operation vary. Admission Charged.  

Coal Creek Mining Motor Discover Trail
Lake City
800-524-3602
www.coalcreekaml.com/history.htm  
“Oh God for one more breath, remember me as long as you live,” These were the last words written on the side of a collapsed mine by Jacob Vowell before he and 250 men and boys died in the Fraterville Mine Disaster. Learn their story and the stories of the Coal Creek War and the Cross Mountain Mine Disaster along this motor discovery trail. This trail is free. 

Lenoir Historical Complex at Norris Dam State Park
125 Village Green Circle Road, Lake City
865-426-7461
www.norrisdamstatepark.org/lenoirmuseum
This complex includes the Lenoir Museum, an 18th Century Grist Mill and a Threshing Barn and depicts the life before the Tennessee Valley Authority built Norris Dam with pictorial history displays, artifacts and historical documents. Don’t miss the 1800 German Barrel Organ. 

Appalachian Arts Craft Center
2716 Andersonville Highway, Clinton
865-494-9854
www.appalachianarts.net
The center was founded in 1970 to enrich the souls and pocketbooks of low-income people in Anderson County, by teaching, producing, and selling hand crafts. Today the center is an educational facility and shop where local artisans and visitors can gather to share creative ideas and talents in order to keep traditional crafts alive. 

Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge
461 West Outer Drive, Oak Ridge
865-482-1074
www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org
Whether you’re a child or a child at heart, this museum offers a unique hands-on way of learning about the Appalachian Heritage of East Tennessee. In addition, you can play a child-size doll house, experience the wonders of a rain forest or learn the unique history of the Secret City. Admission Charged 

American Museum of Science & Energy
300 South Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge
865-576-3200
www.amse.org
Before the U.S. government acquired 59,000 acres in East Tennessee for the wartime Manhattan Project, four rural Appalachian communities lay in the valley beside the Clinch River, where Oak Ridge now stands. Learn the history of those communities and their people. Admission charged.