Cliff Dwellers Gallery submitted two proposals and were accepted by the 75th Anniversary Executive Committee for the 2009 Celebration of the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

"Dinner on the Grounds" will be hosted on first Sundays in May, June, and July of 2009 at the Cliff Dwellers. Dinners will be based on a typical Sunday midday meal one might have been served at the Wonderland Hotel during that time. Pricing will also be vintage 1930 - 35 cents with a donation benefitting the park. Mark your calendars!

During 2008, the artists are donning cooking aprons and trying out a variety of old-time recipes dug out of family cookbooks and classic cookbooks offered at the Cliff Dwellers. A slice of pie is a slice of history. Care for a slice of "Shoo-Fly Pie" or "Vinegar Pie"? (Actually, the art of pie baking may be as historic feat for a few of the Cliff Dwellers artists! Not naming anyone's name of course!) Stay tuned for progress on the recipe trials and mishaps, perhaps!.

Original paintings of artist Louis Jones, builder/artist of the Cliff Dwellers in 1933, and Ed Hunt's historic photographs from the 30's will be displayed April through November, 2009. Both men captured the natural beauty and history of the Park during its early years for successive generations.

Louise Bales, Jim Gray and Chris Gray are loaning original Louis Jones paintings from their collections. Mary Louise Hunt is loaning her father's < Ed Hunt, photographs for the event. Period memorabilia unearthed at the Cliff Dwellers will also be on display in 2009.