09/30/2026
Thank you, Kathy Gwinn for a wonderful presentation! 👏👏👏
Did you know that East Tennessee had a major role in the Manhattan Project?
Renowned local storyteller Kathy Gwinn gave an engaging program, Atomic Appalachia, at Anna Porter Public Library on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The program explored how East Tennessee landed a key role in the Manhattan Project in World War II and how "the city behind the fence" was kept a secret from the public. Kathy was our first guest this season in the library’s successful Our Story series. The series was established in the Spring of 2024, and its mission is to teach and preserve Appalachian culture and Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain heritage.
Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Kathy moved to the Smokies in 1999. She is a former history teacher and has worked as a Step-On Guide / Historian in the National Park and surrounding area for the past 27 years. One of the tours she takes groups to is known as the “Secret City” Tour.
Missed the program? Go to the library's YouTube Channel and watch!