A living history museum that tells the stories of the people of Appalachia through the artifacts they left behind. Smithsonian Affiliate. Founded in 1969. a Smithsonian Affiliate living history museum portraying pioneer life in Southern Appalachia THE ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED TO DOCUMENT AND PRESERVE THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS OF EAST TENNESSEE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA FOR THE BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE MUSEUM PROVIDES FOR THE RESTORATION AND RE-CREATION OF PIONEER FARM VILLAGES, AND THE ACQUISITION, PRESERVATION, INTERPRETATION AND DISPLAY OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS AND RELICS FROM THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIA REGION.