TN State Parks Director of Operations Mike Robertson, Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill, Norris Dam State Park Manager Mark Morgan, TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau and East TN Park Area Manager Robin Wooten.
Norris Dam State Park received the East Tennessee Excellence in Interpretation Award at the 2015 Tennessee State Parks Management meeting.
Parks nominated for this award have demonstrated the ability to provide high quality and varied interpretive activities at their park. Interpretive activities may include but are not limited to presentations, guided hikes, workshops, living history, games, workshops, weekly, monthly and annual schedule or events, special events, interpretive panels, wayside exhibits, interpretive trail guides, and much more.
2014 unveiled a range of successful interpretive projects at Norris Dam State Park. Highlights include the development of a large-scale interpretive panel for local CCC alum Claude Jenkins and the renovation of Camp Dewitt Kinchen which artfully tells the story of the local camp. Norris Dam’s rehabilitation of nearby Longmire Cemetery aids to in telling the park story.
In October, the east cabin area was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Included in the designation was the tea room and 19 cabins, all constructed by the CCC between 1933-35.
A capital project is underway to provide much needed structural improvements to the cabins, along with some cosmetic exterior work. When completed in June 2015, the cabins will be able to remain open year around. Other accomplishments include continuation of successful events such as Pickin’ in the Park and the Holiday Homecoming.
Located on the shores of Norris Lake with more than 800 miles of shoreline, Norris Dam State Park offers recreational boating, skiing, and fishing. Many of the facilities at the park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Norris Dam has 15 hiking trails ranging in difficulty which provide spectacular views of Norris Lake and the surrounding hills and valleys. The Lenoir Museum has a diverse collection of many artifacts which depict life in Southern Appalachia from 12,000 years ago to present day.
For more information, visit http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/norris-dam.