Celebrate the traditions of the Smokies with an exciting lineup of unique events at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Maggie Valley, North Carolina!
The Smoky Mountains are steeped in a powerful legacy of history, music, and Appalachian folkways, and the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center (MSMHC) is committed to honor and preserve that heritage and culture by educating and entertaining both visitors and locals with memorable, entertaining, and immersive programs.
The operates at the Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, N.C., and was formed in 2021 to entertain, inform and educate guests and local residents of the adventures and rich cultural experiences available to them in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountain region.
Although a separate business than the motel, the operations share the same owners –Joseph Franklyn McElroy, an artist and founder and CEO of Galileo Tech Media in NYC along with his wife Simone, who owns and operates a successful travel company in NYC and is a classically trained musician.
They, along withSmoky Mountain Heritage Center General Manager Bob Plott –an award-winning author of six books and well-known regional historian – share a vision and passion in conveying the simple objective of the center: The perpetuation of Smoky Mountain history and culture through programs, concerts, seminars, hikes and tours –all held or based out of the resort –while also providing motel guests an “Appalachian chic” base camp experience for their adventures throughout the region.
In addition to the live music and local talent that is showcased every Saturday in their BackPorch Pavilion, their team put together seven stellar events in 2021 and have been busy making even bigger plans for things to do in the Smoky Mountains in 2022 and beyond. Read on for more details!
Meadowlark Fly Fishing Camp
April 15 – 16, 2022
Get ready for a weekend of top-quality fly fishing complete with food, drink, stories, and a campfire. Enjoy professional guided fishing led by Beast Coast Anglers – an elite fly-fishing guide service, based in Western NC, TN, owned and operated by world class angler Charles Humphrey III, along with a stellar roster of additional professional guides. You’ll also get lodging at the Meadowlark’s Appalachian Chic resort, musical entertainment, a free BBQ dinner, a Speakeasy lounge, and a stocked trout stream located right on the resort grounds.
Mom’s Moving Mountains & Mother Nature’s Natural Garden Program with Nancy East & Illa Hatter
May 6-8, 2022
The MGSMHC proudly announces a weekend honoring female empowerment and iconic Appalachian women –and what better time to do it than Mother’s Day weekend! The event kicks off on Friday night, May 6th at 7:00 PM, as acclaimed author, wilderness survival expert, Haywood County SAR team member, and record setting endurance athlete Nancy East, presents her program—“Moms Moving Mountains.” Nancy will share her experiences in the great outdoors, as well as her amazing endurance hiking achievements among other interesting topics, and end the event with a book signing. Admission is ten dollars for non-guests, free to motel guests and Heritage Club members.
The event continues on Saturday, May 7th at 2:00 PM with an afternoon featuring the legendary wildcrafting expert, renowned author, filmmaker, instructor and tour guide for the GSM National Park’s elite GSM Field School educational programs, Illa Hatter. Illa is an expert on edible plants, medicinal herbs and anything pertaining to wild craft foraging and Appalachian plants, trees and flowers. She has been featured on a variety of national television shows, videos, and books, and has worked as an advisor for multiple movies and television shows. Illa is also one of the iconic females that will soon be featured in our Heritage Cabin honoring Appalachian women. She will be presenting her beloved program Mother Nature’s Natural Garden and leading a short tour of the grounds identifying nature’s bounty that can be found in our own backyards. The event culminates with a free BBQ supper and music by Mike Ogletree and friends Saturday evening. Admission of this event is 20 dollars per person for non-guests, FREE to motel guests and Heritage Club members.
On Sunday morning May 8— Mother’s Day – all mothers and their families staying at the motel can enjoy cake and champagne in the Motel lounge between 10 and noon.
Plottfest Reunion Weekend
June 3 – 5, 2022
An exciting weekend event celebrating the history and heritage of the Plott hound, the official state dog of North Carolina— a breed originated by the Plott family that gained worldwide notoriety in the Great Smokies. Join Plott hound owners and enthusiasts from across the nation as they come together to commemorate the breed with an officially sanctioned UKC Bench show and various other competition events, along with special awards ceremonies, raffles, roundtable discussions with Plott breed icons, history programs, a free BBQ dinner and a traditional country music concert featuring William Ritter and Tim McWilliams on Saturday night. Admission is free to all motel guests and Heritage Club members, 20 dollars per person for non-guests –please note that there is a fee for all dogs registered in competitive events.
Pottery Seminar with Cory Plott
June 11, 2022
Join master potter, Cory Plott –owner and operator of Plott Ware Pottery of Clyde, N.C. – as he brings his mobile studio to our resort to teach participants to make their own piece of hand-crafted pottery. Plott will also be selling his award winning elegant and durable utilitarian decor at the event. Don’t miss the chance to learn from a master craftsman and make your own piece of pottery! Class is limited to 20 participants, 75 dollars each for non-guests, 25 dollars each for motel guests and Heritage Club members. The event culminates with a free BBQ dinner at 6:00 PM and music from Mike Ogletree and friends. Book your slot now at 828-926-1717!
Heritage Book Series with Bob Plott (Part IV)
July 18, 2022
Don’t worry if you missed the first few sessions in the series. You can still discover so much about Appalachian heritage and expand your knowledge of the culture and traditions of the Smokies. Join award-winning author – General Manager of the Smoky Mountain Heritage Center – Bob Plott for a deep dive into the colorful characters of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Amid the rocky crags and misty hollows of the Great Smoky Mountains grew a generation of hardy and fascinating characters whose lives became the stuff of legend. Discover these little-known stories of French and Indian War Rangers, iconic Cherokee warriors and modern-day hunters, as well as moonshiners, skilled artists and historians, told as only Bob Plott can tell them. Visit with Bob as he weaves the tales of these vibrant characters and their lasting legacy on the people who will always call these mountains home.
The program will be followed by a book signing and delicious BBQ dinner, culminating with acoustic music by Mike Ogletree and friends that evening. The event is free to motel guests and Heritage Club members—there is an admission charge of ten dollars per person for all others.
Launch Of Cherokee Heritage Series with Davy Arch
August 6, 2022
Located next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Western North Carolina sits the ancestral homelands of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Nation. Known as the Qualla Boundary, these 57,000 acres are home to approximately 9,000 members of a proud, intelligent, and deeply spiritual people. Join esteemed Cherokee historian and artist, Davy Arch, plus other Cherokee historians and artists, for an afternoon of insightful seminars and fascinating talks to celebrate the rich and complex heritage of the Cherokee.
Songwriters Camp
August 12 – 13, 2022
Calling all songwriters and musicians! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn songwriting skills from legends like Jim Lauderdale, Charles Humphrey, and Darren Nicholson. Enjoy a full day of interactive songwriting instruction with world class musicians, plus a demo tape done for each participant! Finish off the day with a BBQ dinner and concert on Saturday night.
Cherokee Heritage Series with Mary Bottchenbaugh (Part II)
August 20, 2022
Continue growing your knowledge of the Cherokee people as you join iconic Cherokee artist, Mary Bottchenbaugh. Mary will lead a workshop teaching you how to make your own pair of traditional Cherokee beaded earrings, while also discussing the history of tribal beadwork. Enjoy a great day of learning and fellowship and leave with your own pair of handmade Cherokee earrings. All materials will be included in the cost. Free BBQ dinner and music with Mike Ogletree and friends tops off the day. Class is limited to 15 students at 65 dollars each. Special price of 25 dollars each for motel guests and Heritage Club members. You’ll leave inspired by how the beauty, talent, and artistry of the Cherokee shaped the culture and traditions of the Smoky Mountains.
Cooking Class
August 27, 2022
Tempt your tastebuds when you learn how to cook traditional Appalachian cuisine over an open fire. When the food is ready, you’ll enjoy it with your fellow classmates to the tune of live music by Meadowlark’s artist in residence, Mike Ogletree, and friends.
Get in on these amazing spring and summer things to do in the Smokies! If you’re a local and regional resident, you can now join the Meadowlark Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Heritage Club and attend all MSMHC events at special pricing! Call 828-926-1717 to learn more or for tickets and room reservations. And be sure to follow them on the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center’s Facebook page so you don’t miss out on all the exciting opportunities coming up. The entertainment and education will keep on rolling into fall. Stay tuned – there is SO much more to come!
