Civil War Trails

Tennessee has invited all 95 counties to join the multi-state Civil War Trails program.
The initiative already is popular in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, and West Virginia also is joining the program.
Linda Lewanski, Tourism Director for Cocke County, says the Trails program is being promoted by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. "All of the counties have been asked to identify historic Civil War sites in their communities and a state grant will pay for 80 percent of the signage cost at each location," Lewanski said. State funding for the project comes from a grant of $537,420 from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
The state has contracted with the Virginia Civil War Trails program to design, erect and maintain the signage. Each "trailblazer" sign is a four-color interpretive marker with a map, illustration and text of 250 to 300 words in length.
Each community will provide the 20 percent matching funds for the sign and then be responsible for maintaining the site itself.
The signs have already been installed at more than 700 previously unrecognized sites.
In 2001, the National Trust for Historic Preservation identified the Civil War Trails program as one of the most successful and sustainable heritage tourism programs in the nation. In addition the Federal Highway Administration has recognized the program's role in boosting local economies through tourism.
Lewanski said area residents who are familiar with a location that can be documented as a Civil War site, should contact the Tourism Office in their county.

Town Hall Forum on Sustainable Tourism

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development will host its second Town Hall Forum on Sustainable Tourism on Feb. 25, 2008 at Whisperwood Retreat in Cosby at 2:30 p.m.

They will be updating the community on their plans for the April Summit as well as facilitating discussion to identify a sustainable tourism project for each Gateway Community. These projects will be announced at the Summit in April.

You may fax the form to Patricia Gray by Feb 20th at 615-741-9071 or you can email her at patricia.gray@state.tn.us.

Blizzard at Fall Creek Falls

Linda Lewanski with Pigeon Forge's Lila Wilson attending the TACVB"s Blizzard at Fall Creek Falls in late January.

METTC and ETMP merge

Members of the Cocke County Partnership's Tourism Council at the press conference announcing the merger of East Tennessee Marketing Partnership and Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council.

From left, METTC Director Molly Gilbert, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Susan Whitaker, CCP's Tourism Director and Vice Chair of METTC Linda Lewanski, Tourism Council member Kevin Flint and Tourism Council Chair Marie Bittinger.

(Click the photo for a larger version)