Cherishing Community and a Sense of Place
The mountains and foothills of Western North Carolina have fostered a unique Southern Appalachian culture, creating a strong sense of place among the people who live here. Much of the natural beauty is preserved in the two most visited national parks in the country, two national forests, and numerous state parks and forests. Within this quiet natural setting, the cultures of Native Americans, Europeans immigrants and African slaves have melded into a blend of traditions unlike any other in our country, traditions that are celebrated and preserved by the people who live and work in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.