🚐 Homesteads & Heritage: A Historic Van Tour Explores Cumberland Plateau History

Tennessee State Parks is inviting history enthusiasts and curious neighbors to step back in time on Saturday, November 14, with a guided van tour that brings the stories of the Cumberland Plateau to life. The tour connects three landmark sites that shaped the region’s past-from Depression-era homesteading to the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

📍 What You’ll See on the Tour

Participants will travel by van to three historic destinations: the Homestead Tower, Homestead House Museum, and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum. ✨ At each stop, guided tours will highlight the people, places, and events that helped define this unique corner of the Cumberland Plateau. The journey traces the vision behind the Cumberland Homesteads program and the lasting impact of the CCC-two pivotal chapters in East Tennessee’s heritage.

🗓️ Tour Times & Registration

Three departure times are available on November 14: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. 💵 The cost is $30 per person. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Tours depart from and return to a restaurant parking lot. Registration is available online through the Tennessee State Parks events calendar at tnstateparks.com/events

💡 Why This Matters

For residents and visitors in the Sequatchie Valley and Cumberland Plateau region, this tour offers a rare chance to explore the historical foundations of the area in depth. The Cumberland Homesteads and CCC programs represent pivotal moments when federal investment and community resilience shaped the landscape and economy of East Tennessee. 🏛️ Understanding these stories deepens appreciation for the region’s character and the choices that built it.