In 1994, the Mayna Treanor Avent Studio Cabin’s petition to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) was approved by the United States Department of Interior.  Though it may seem it being added to the National Register was obvious in hindsight, at the time, it was far from a forgone conclusion.    It was one of the few original settler structures remaining in the park outside of Cades Cove and the only one remaining along Jake’s Creek in its original location giving a view of life at the time was there.  However, the  stated intention at the time of the National Park Service along with organizations such as the Sierra Club was to demolish the Avent Cabin and all the structures the Elkmont Club Town.    The Park has limited resources and must prioritize where it allocates its funds.  The Sierra Club has an interest in reestablishing the natural environment where it makes sense.   Fortunately, the Avent Cabin still stands today through the support of the Park and organizations such as the Friends of the Smokies. 

The NRHP Statement of Significance cited:

• • Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
• • Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type period or method of construction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack Individual distinction.

Areas of Significance:

• • Architecture
• • Art

Period of Significance:

• • 1919-1940 (Art)
• • 1850 (architecture) 

Significant Person:

• • Avent, Mayna Treanor

The NRHP document is below.  It is a good reference of the effort that is required to have something listed.