NOVEMBER 5, 2009 ISSUE
Scenic Attraction Transitions to Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Executive Director Penn Dameron. Photo by Jim Morton
At 11:59 p.m. on Halloween night, Grandfather Mountain, Inc. ceased operation of the Western North Carolina travel attraction famous for Mildred the Bear and the Mile High Swinging Bridge. As of 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, the 57-year-old scenic attraction became an arm of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational and research activities. All proceeds from the sale of attraction tickets and souvenirs will be reinvested into the mission of the Foundation, according to Catherine Morton, marketing director of Grandfather Mountain.
“The transition should be seamless,” said Penn Dameron, executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “The public should not be aware of the change. The employees hopefully will not notice anything but a name change on the company letterhead.”
The decision to convert from a for-profit business to a nonprofit organization grew out of the desire to ensure that the 5,946-foot Western North Carolina landmark be preserved in its current state for future generations. The move opens doors for the new corporation to partner with educational institutions and other nonprofits on projects that will greatly enhance the company’s ability to preserve Grandfather Mountain and elucidate its visitors.
A life-long friend of Grandfather Mountain and prominent Western North Carolina civic leader, Dameron will direct the new nonprofit. Crae Morton, who has served as president of Grandfather Mountain, Inc. since 2005, will return to an operations position and focus on special projects.
The mission of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is to care for and present Grandfather Mountain in a manner that inspires good stewardship by others. The organization desires to use partnerships and collaborations to become highly visible in the promotion of environmental responsibility and eco-efficiency.
“Over the years Grandfather Mountain has become synonymous with natural beauty and serenity,” said Dameron. “We hope that it will also become increasingly known as a laboratory for environmental best practices.”
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