Programs and projects that make your visit to the Parkway more enjoyable and educational.
Many of the fiberglass embedded interpretive panels along the Parkway are badly worn, cracked, faded or damaged. Four panels in each of the four districts that are in most need of replacement will
Funds have been provided for a comprehensive study by the National Park Service, begun in 2001, which is examining all the natural and cultural resources of the Cone Estate and will layout a long-range plan for the estate.
Scheduled to begin in 2013, the Graveyard Fields (MP 418) project is a collaborative effort with the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to improve visitor use and stewardship of this highly trafficked area, and will expand the parking, construct a convenience station and improve the trails and interpretive signs.
For several years, the Foundation has provided support for the music programming at the Blue Ridge Music Center at MP 213. In 2013, the Foundation will take on a much larger role, funding, scheduling and running the concert series at the center.
The Blue Ridge Music Center's mission is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the music and musicians of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1985, the site includes an outdoor amphitheater and indoor interpretive center used to highlight an important strand of American musical culture, which is still alive and thriving in the region. You can find out more information about the Blue Ridge Music Center and the schedule of concerts at www.blueridgemusiccenter.com.
Since 2006, the Foundation has provided funding to print the Blue Ridge Parkway Strip Map and the Blue Ridge Parkway Outdoor Guide, both indispensable resources for visitors.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is partnering with Ray’s Weather (
The Blue Ridge Parkway celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2010, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation was a leadership supporter. Working with the National Park Service and their partner organizations, we helped focus the nation on this milepost celebration and reach out and touch the hearts and minds of people near and far to make a personal connection with the Parkway
In preparation for the 75th Anniversary celebration in 2010, the Foundation funded a new set of interpretive panels at the Cumberland Knob Visitor Center (MP 217), giving an account of the history of the Parkway, its beginning at Cumberland Knob and how its design blends into the surrounding landscape.
The Linville Falls Education Shelter Pavilion (MP 316) was completed in 2009, and provides a much-needed facility for National Park Service rangers to conduct programs for visitors, enriching their Parkway experience.
The Museum (MP 331) was subject to a nearly one million dollar renovation and expansion in 2002 with new exhibits and a much expanded mission and broadened interpretive goals. This was made possible by a partnership between the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the National Park Service, and Mitchell County (NC).
Pages
