The Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway was built in 1980 by the Southern Highland Craft Guild. It was constructed under an agreement with the National Park Service. The guild was allowed to operate on parkland without paying a fee, provided it paid all construction and maintenance costs for the facility and provided educational opportunities for tourists.
Since 1988, acting in accordance with federal law that trumps the agreement, the Park Service has demanded a percentage of the operation’s revenues. This year, it wants 2%. Furthermore, when the current agreement expires, the Park Service will write a ten-year contract with whoever makes the most attractive bid.
In order to cover the federal fees, the guild has had to increase its membership dues from $50 to $75. To make matters worse, sales at the center have dropped 24% since 2007.
Members of the guild’s board of directors traveled to Washington, DC to meet with Senator Richard Burr, Representative Heath Shuler, and heavies with the Park Service. They said their audience was sympathetic, but they had to act in accordance with federal legislation. Guild representatives are therefore pursuing legislation to convert the Folk Art Center into a some form of registerable destination so it may enjoy a sense of permanence.
