An icon of Roan Mountain State Park is going through a facelift of sorts over the next month.
The state park announced the closure of the Road to the Miller Farmstead, effective Monday, Aug. 29. Park Manager J.R. Tinch said that if things go according to plan, without any delays or weather, that the area will be reopen in one month.
“We’re starting our remediation project on the Miller Farmstead house,” Tinch said. “Due to the age of the home, there is a lot of work needed to be done to preserve and protect the site.”
Since being established in the early 1900s, the Miller Farmstead is one of the most recognizable places on the park’s premise, Tinch said, even being listed on the National Historic Register just over a year ago.
“It being listed on the National Historic Register allows us to receive grant funding to do this project,” he added. “It’s gotten to the point that we need to do this now to make sure it is around for the years to come for everyone to enjoy. It’s our job to protect and preserve. This is in our protection now and we will make sure this structure is still around for the years to come.”
The operation will include lifting the structure five feet in the air to address the deteriorating status of the foundation.
“It is the same foundation since it was first built,” Tinch said. “Part of the house is starting to sink in and the current foundation is crumbling. It is a very time-sensitive project and we hate that we have to close it down but any type of project like this is very delicate.”
Miller Farmstead has proven to be a popular addition as one of the last remaining preserved farmsteads in the Southeast. No electricity runs to the facility, but the natural beauty at the property has been a key sight to see for park attendees during the season programs offered.
The Miller Farmstead provides a glance into life early on in Northeast Tennessee with a barn, corn crib, hog pen, root cellar, smoke house, chicken house and a spring house on the property.
Over the summer, the property houses various musicians, storytellers and demonstrations that provide attendees a glimpse into the history of Roan Mountain.
Tinch also added the park is working to preserve the barn near the farmstead. Being built in the 1800s, the steps are in place to make sure that building will be ready for the years to come.
“We’ve actually applied for grants to get the barn stabilized,” he said. “It will be a little bit of time before we hear back but that’s our next project we’re looking at.”
Looking to be ready for fall, the park sees the house decorated with festive flare for the annual Old Time Yule at the Farmstead event, which offers various refreshments and activities for the public.
For more information on the remediation work, visit tnstateparks.com/parks/about/roan-mountain or check out the Roan Mountain State Park Facebook page online.