In 1969, the National Park Service and Maryville College entered into an arrangement to establish an environmental education camp for children. Tremont Environmental Education Center, named for the Tremont lumber community that had existed several miles up river, was opened in the fall of 1969.

In 1980, the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association took over the Tremont operation, and along with the Park Service remodeled, and in some cases removed, aging facilities. In 1985, Tremont Environmental Education Center became Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT). The new name was created to emphasize Tremont’s ties to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and to connect with similar “institutes” across the country.

Tremont is now an independent non-profit partner of GSMNP with a board of directors that is focused on helping Tremont reach its full potential. Each year, thousands of people attend Tremont programs, learning about and experiencing Great Smoky Mountains National Park in ways that are transferable to their everyday lives and home communities. Students, interns, and others take part in research projects to increase the understanding of the natural world at Tremont. GSMIT continues to be an important part of the park’s comprehensive Resource Education program, providing well over $1 million worth of educational services to the park annually.

In 2009, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont celebrated 40 years of connecting people and nature. 2009 was also the 75th Anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.