Appalachian Clubhouse

The Appalachian Clubhouse is a historic building constructed in 1934 in the Elkmont Historic District. The National Park Service rehabilitated it to closely resemble its 1930s appearance, with the addition of a few modern amenities such as electricity and running water. It was originally a gathering spot for lessees and guests of the Appalachian Club, whose members, mostly from Knoxville, built rustic cabins nearby to serve as weekend or summer retreats in the years before the Park was created. Today the 3,000-square-foot clubhouse provides an excellent location for meetings, events and celebrations, with the added charm of exposed wooden beams and massive stone fireplaces at each end, equipped with gas logs. It remains quite rustic in comparison to most venues and requires careful event planning prior to arrival: tablecloths, tableware, projectors, screens, extension cords, paper towels and the like are not provided and must be brought by the renter. Decorations, balloons, banners and directional signage may not be pinned or taped anywhere in the park. Individuals wishing to reserve the clubhouse for a wedding, wedding reception and/or wedding photography will need an additional Special Use Permit. The large, open meeting hall (60' x 25') has french doors along the entire east side, opening onto a broad, roofed porch with rocking chairs overlooking the forest and a small creek. There is no heating or air conditioning, but the ballroom provides four ceiling fans and 12 electrical outlets, in addition to an outlet in each room. Furnishings are twelve 60" round tables seating 8 people each, eight 3'x6' rectangular tables and 110 folding chairs, plus a sofa and chairs at one of the fireplaces; no others are provided. There is no kitchen or cooking facilities like a stove or refrigerator, but there is a double sink with hot and cold running water and a warming kitchen (168 sq ft) with 32 sq ft of counter space, whose six electrical outlets can keep food warm and accommodate catering. There are no restrooms inside the main building, but accessible restrooms with cold running water, flush toilets, electric lights and hand dryers are located about 150 ft away. The clubhouse stands in the southern portion of Elkmont, in a historic district referred to as "Daisy Town," between the mouths of Jakes Creek and Bearwallow Branch, surrounded by the lush forests and steep ridges of Tennessee's Upper Little River Valley. Two popular trailheads, Jakes Creek and Little River, are close by, and the adjacent Elkmont Campground offers traditional outdoor camping. Gatlinburg, one of the Smokies' famous tourist towns, is a short drive away.