Tennessee State Parks is hosting an open house on Thursday, March 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (EDT) at the Kingston Community Center (large meeting room), located at 201 Patton Ferry Road in Kingston, Tennessee, to gather public input on the future of the new Fort Southwest Point State Historic Park. The site, currently managed by the City of Kingston and open to the public, is transitioning into a state park.

Attendees are encouraged to share their visions for the park, which will inform the development of a comprehensive Master Plan. This long-term plan will outline how the park’s cultural, natural, and recreational resources will be protected, interpreted, and enhanced over time.

The park site holds significant historical value, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 for its historical and archaeological importance. Fort Southwest Point was originally constructed in 1797 by federal troops in what was then the Southwest Territory, serving as a supply depot until its abandonment in 1811.

The location also preserves an archaeological record of pre-Contact Native American activity dating back to approximately 8,000–6,000 B.C. In addition to the in-person open house, Tennessee State Parks has launched an online survey to collect further public comments, which remains open through March 31. The future state park will feature interpretive programs to educate visitors about this rich history.