1979
George Myers Stephens

George Myers Stephens (1904 – 1978) took a job appraising timber in Swain and Haywood counties after graduating from college. His rich knowledge of the area, which became a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, enabled him to write the authoritative guidebook to the park. His experience in the outdoors led him to become an organizer in planning, conservation, and recreation. As a conservator of mountain lore and history as well as of land and communities, Stephens was active in the formation of the Western North Carolina Historical Association and the Cherokee Historical Association.