“The National Park Service is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of the Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” said Charles Sellars, Acting Superintendent. “This generous donation is critical as we restore the historic buildings that help tell these stories. We are deeply grateful to the Colquitt Foundation for their support.”

Record rainfall and high winds from Hurricane Helene ravaged parts of East Tennessee and North Carolina in September 2024. The Cataloochee Valley experienced some of the most severe damage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with the public unable to access the valley until six months after the storm.

Swollen creeks overflowed their banks and crashed through the historic Caldwell Barn. The flood water caved in multiple walls, ripped up staircases and snapped exterior siding on the historic barn built in the 1900s. The National Park Service temporarily stabilized the structure until repairs can be completed.

The Hiram Caldwell House near the barn and the Jasper Palmer House escaped the flood but both suffered roof damage from strong winds. By repairing the roofs, the Forever Places crew can help prevent subsequent damage from water leaks. The flooding also damaged the stone foundation of the historic Beech Grove School. Repairs to the structures are expected to be completed in 2026.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Colquitt Foundation for this generous gift,” said Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies. “At a time of great need, their support helps us protect historic treasures like the Caldwell Barn and Beech Grove School in Cataloochee Valley, ensuring these pieces of the past endure for future generations.”

The $750,000 gift is one part of a larger $2 million commitment by the Colquitts to help the region with its ongoing recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.