| Cades Cove |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Tuesday, 22 November 2005 | |
 Two hundred years ago the Smoky Mountain area wasn't a destination for very many people. The Smokies were a rugged threatening place and best avoided during journeys. The wildlife including bears, mountain lions and snakes were to be feared as much as the terrain. Crossing the mountains was no easy chore. Areas around the Smokies were settled easily enough, but a few hardy souls delved into this wilderness to make a home. What kind of person would risk life and limb to live in this hellacious country?
Today one of the only hand-me-downs available left by these early settlers is Bluegrass Music. Bluegrass music and "fiddlin' musicians" were the entertainers and some of the only good times in the memories of the early settlers. It was music from their familiar homeland where they had fond memories and long lost relatives.
The Museum of Appalachia located in Norris, Tennessee, preserves the heritage and keeps alive the spirit of the old way. A visit to this magnificent display is well worth it. The owner has spent most of his life traveling around Appalachia and collecting treasures sometimes considered trash by the previous owners. A wealth of information is available to the visitor as well as live musicians performing the music handed down by the Smoky Mountain early white settlers. Situated on about 60 acres the Museum will take you back and make you wonder what it was like to live in the old days. It is definitely an eye opening experience and fun for the whole family.
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These were the Highlanders of Appalachia. God fearing people who were unique. Unique in that they chose to live in the wilds of the Smokies. Like other Christian folk, they built Churches and their belief in the Bible was the source of their strength in such a challenging environment. In particular, the Cades Cove settlement provides proof of the abilities and determination of this Early American Scotch-Irish culture.
There are descendants living today in the Smoky Mountain area who keep alive the skills and crafts handed down by these Scotch-Irish ancestors. Some play the Bluegrass style music and others build the ancient musical instruments. The dulcimer, fiddle, banjo and mandolin are a few of the names of the instruments still hand-crafted in this region.
Cades Cove located on the west side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Townsend, Tennessee, displays the actual living environment of the era. The photos on the left accompanying the article were taken at Cades Cove. The village is almost authentic and takes about a day to absorb thoroughly. Don't forget your camera when you visit either of these places and explore the culture of the past that has shaped our future.| < Prev |
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