Rockefeller Memorial -- President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated Great Smoky Mountains National Park on September 2, 1940 at this same spot. On September 2, 2o09, the park was rededicated.

Dignitaries for the rededication ceremony included:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson
North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredeson
Cherokee Indian Chief Michele Hicks
Cherokee Elder Jerry Wolfe
Tennessee Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker
Tennessee Congressmen Heath Shular, Zach Wamp, John J. Duncan, Jr.
North Carolina Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr
North Carolina Congressman Phil Roe
Acting Director of the National Park Service Dan Wenk
Dolly Parton
Secretary of the Department of the Interior Ken Salazar
Reverend Dan Matthews

Performing Bands:
Swain County High School Band
Gatlinburg-Pittman High School Band

The Blessing of the Park was offered by Cherokee Elder Jerry Wolfe.

National parks are authentic, democratic, American products. God gave us rare treasures of natural beauty, and
we Americans are doing our humble best to be worthy of the gift by preserving and cherishing all that we can of it
for the enjoyment and inspiration of all of the people.

-- Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes, September 2, 1940 Dedication