Restore Kuwahi

10/30/2024

Museum of the Cherokee People is honored to welcome Mary Crowe (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) and Lavita Hill (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), advocates who successfully led the effort to restore the name of Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingman's Dome) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

In this conversation, held on November 7 at 5pm in the Museum's Multipurpose Room, Crowe and Hill will share their experience in restoring the name of this sacred place, from their initial inspiration to that day in September 2024 when the U.S. Board of Geographic Names officially made the historic change. This event is free of charge and open to all.

09/18/2024

Kuwohi is now the official name of the mountain. Kuwohi is restored! 🤎 Congratulations to all members of EBCI. Thank you Creator God!

02/13/2024

The official application has been signed by Principal Chief Michell Hicks and submitted to the US Board on Geographic Names ✊🏾

Lavita Hill and Mary Crowe, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), submitted a proposal to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) on Tuesday, Feb. 6 on behalf of EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks and Tribal Council to officially request the name change of Clingman's Dome, lo...

01/06/2024

✊🏾

The effort by two Cherokee women to restore the name of Kuwohi to an area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now one step closer to coming to fruition.

01/05/2024

One step closer to mailing in the application… ✊🏾

11/29/2023

There is hope… Restore Kuwohi.

Last Call!!!

The last day to drive to Clingmans Dome, also known as Kuwohi, is November 30th, weather permitting. The road is projected to reopen on April 1, 2024, in the spring. After November 30th, Clingmans Dome can still be accessed via the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap or by walking up Clingmans Dome Road, but doing so will be a strenuous 14-16-mile round trip journey. The road closes due to winter weather conditions, which make the road unsafe for vehicular travel. Please park in designated parking areas so emergency vehicles can still access the road if necessary. Visit our website for more information on seasonal road closures at https://www.nps.gov/grsm.

Clingmans Dome/Kuwohi is the tallest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Tennessee at an elevation of 6,643 feet. The observation tower on the summit offers incredible 360° views of the park for any visitor willing to climb the steep half-mile hike, during which you gain just over 600 feet in elevation from the parking lot. On a clear day, you can see 100 miles out; on other days, you will find yourself in the clouds, where you can only see a few feet in front of you. Clingmans Dome/Kuwohi is a very popular place in the park, so please pack your patience when visiting.

Photo Credit: Sheree Varnes

10/14/2023

This!!

Yesterday, we visited the stunning landscape of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This important ecosystem is home to abundant wildlife, deep cultural resources significant to Indigenous communities and provides incredible outdoor recreation and economic opportunities in the region.

09/17/2023

Go Big Orange! ᏍᎩ!! Thank you Knox County for your support of Restoring Kuwohi!
The mountain had a name long before the name was changed to Clingmans Dome. Her name has always been Kuwohi.

In an eight to two vote, the commission approved a resolution in supporting the effort to restore the name of Clingmans Dome in the Smokies.

09/17/2023

🤎🤎🤎

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council passed a resolution in support of renaming Great Smoky Mountains National Park's highest peak.