Mountain Heritage Center captures history with new George Masa exhibit

An exhibit about George Masa, a Japanese immigrant who photographed and mapped Western North Carolina from 1915-1933, opened in the Mountain Heritage Center. The exhibit opened Jan. 17 and will stay open until Aug. 15. 

Masa image of the Swannanoa Valley. Image courtesy Special Collections, Hunter Library, WCU
Masa image of the Swannanoa Valley. Image courtesy Special Collections, Hunter Library, WCU

Masa was a vital part of the conservation and newfound love for the Smoky Mountains. Masa and his friend, writer Horace Kephart used their work to help turn the Smoky Mountains into a national park.

“Masa captured photographs that beautifully depicted the Smoky Mountains, and used these images to convince philanthropists, politicians, and local community leaders to preserve the area,” the Appalachian Mountain Club website said. 

Peter Koch, an education associate with the Mountain Heritage Center, helped with curating the Masa exhibit. 

“We’ve always been aware of George Masa,” Koch said. “There was recently a new book and new research into his life, and it was a great opportunity to do some good treatment to his career.”  

Nearly all of the photos used in the exhibit were donated to the Mountain Heritage Center by Alice and Bill Hart. The couple spent years searching for Masa’s photos in auctions and online sites. Many of the photos were also authenticated by the couple. 

In addition to the Harts, Paul Bonesteel also dedicated years to researching and understanding George Masa. 

Bonesteel has researched Masa’s life for 25 years. In the process he shared his knowledge through different mediums. In 2002, he created a documentary called “The Mystery of George Masa.” In September 2024, Bonesteel worked with author Janet McCue to publish a biography about Masa, “George Masa a Life Reimagined.”  

“I think [Bonesteel] finds him enigmatic,” said Koch. “There was a lot less known about Masa’s story.” 

In addition to the photos Masa took, he mapped many areas of the Smoky Mountains. The maps he made helped create a significant portion of the southern Appalachian Trail. 

The exhibit shows off the influence and the beauty of Masa’s photos, which helped grow public widespread appreciation of the Great Smoky Mountains.