This springhouse was moved from Jim Caldwell's farm in Cataloochee, North Carolina. For a farm to be successful it needed to be located near a source of water. In the mountains that typically ended up being a spring. A springhouse was built around the spring to facilitate getting fresh water. Additionally the cool running water acted as a type of refrigerator for perishable foods.
This building was moved from the Gregory farm in Cades Cove, Tennessee. A Blacksmith shop was important on a farm so that famers were able to fix small issues they might have with tools. These farmers were not professional Blacksmiths, but learned the skill to help around the farm if there were any issues with their tools.
This barn was from the Enloe-Floyd farm which was located where the farm museum is currently located. The barn only had to be moved 200 yards from its original position. A barn was the central building on a farm and housed livestock along with other tools used around the farm.
This corn crib was originally located at the David-Queen farm, while the corn crib and gear shed was located on the farm of Jim Beard on Indian Creek, north of Bryson City, North Carolina. The purpose of a corn crib was to ensure that dried corn would stay dry and be safe from the elements. Corn was an important crop to farmers and its preservation was vital.
Sorghum cane was a popular crop grown by many farmers. Horses or mules were harnessed to a pole and walked around the mill creating the power to break up the cane. By breaking down the cane it released juices that were boiled down to create sorghum molasses which had a variety of uses. This often became a social event as many families brought their cane to one mill and did the work together.
This apple house was originally located on Will Messer's farm in Little Cataloochee, North Carolina. An apple house enabled farmers to store large quantities of apples before being sent to the market. This particular apple house was originally built into the hillside so that the bottom half was covered with earth, insulating it from temperature fluctuations and preserving the apples.
This meathouse was moved from Jim Conard's farm in Little Cataloochee, North Carolina. This building was usually located near the house so that the food was easily accessible and more secure. All types of meat were stored in these houses, but mountain families most typically ate pork which they butchered in the fall. The meat feed the family all year long.
This woodshed and ash hopper are replicas of the originals found on the Davis-Queen farm. A woodshed was extremely important since it was the only source of heat for a family, and was needed to use a stove to be able to cook food. A shelter for the wood was necessary to ensure the wood stayed dry and ready for use at all times.
This was the home of John Davis who began building the house in 1899. He later sold the house to Joe Queen, who was the owner at the time that the National Park acquired it. The house was moved from North of Bryson City, NC to the Oconaluftee Farm Village in the 1950s.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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The Mountain Farm Museum at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center is an important source of mountain culture that dates back to the late eighteenth century. The museum consists of several buildings belonging to previous residents in the Smoky Mountain region. The buildings were either moved from their original locations or were built as replicas in the 1950s.
