In the heart of the Southern Blue Ridge lies the Upper Little Tennessee and Hiwassee River Valleys: Mainspring’s service area. Five great mountain ranges tower over these broad valleys, sheltering magnificent forests, extraordinarily diverse species, and farmlands that have provided residents food for more than 4,000 years.
This land tells many stories. Stories that include American Revolution battles fought in the mid 1700s, and stories of the tragic Cherokee removal on the Trail of Tears in 1838. Stories of the American naturalist William Bartram’s observations of the area, revealing a Cherokee presence that was revered across the South. Stories of survival, families, and community.
Mainspring’s mission includes efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of this landscape. We recognize the connection between Native Americans and European settlers and our modern world. We lead initiatives to support the reuse of historical buildings and preserve farmland and historic sites.
