Archive for the ‘Cumberland Gap National Historical Park’ Category

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Lost! National Park Program to Help Children Learn Survival Techniques

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
Daniel Boone would never admit to being lost - but did admit that he was "bewildered" once for several days when visiting an unfamiliar area. Unlike Boone, the average person of today would know nothing of the lifesaving tips they might need to survive being lost in the woods. On September 24th, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will host "Junior Rangers" as they learn secrets that Boone knew of survival and how to help themselves get found if ever lost in the wilderness!

Every year millions hike, canoe and simply wander into some of the most untouched and unspoiled wilderness areas America has to offer when they visit their national parks. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's 85 miles of trails are used by thousands of visitors every year and periodically, rangers receive reports of missing hikers or lost children. One wrong turn or misread map can attribute to anyone being "bewildered," but when the visitor is a child, the situation can quickly become serious. Rangers are quite familiar with being sent to the backcountry of Cumberland Mountain to look for missing or lost hikers and sometimes these searches become true rescue missions as well.

Cumberland Gap Protection Ranger John Housch relates that many times visitors, especially children, when lost, will make decisions that make it difficult or impossible to find them, even though they are trying to be found! Search dogs, helicopters, bright flashlights and other search equipment can be alarming to a frightened child who may actually hide from the very people who are trying to save them! Ranger Housch invites parents to bring their children to this special Junior Ranger C.S.I. Program entitled Captive. Survival. Instincts. This special program will arm children with the tools to survive if they should ever become a "captive" of the wilderness!

The program will begin on Saturday, September 24th at 1:00 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park visitor center. All are invited to join our Junior Ranger Corps during this exciting "ranger training"!

For additional information on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's programs, please call 606-248-2817, extension 1075.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Junior Rangers, children, lost | Comments Off

Operation Spring Clean at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Monday, April 4th, 2011
Next weekend, staff at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the city of Middlesboro will be gearing up for a community cleanup along Yellow Creek which borders Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

The cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 9 and is a joint effort with Operation PRIDE in Middlesboro. "We are pleased to be working with National Park Service staff to do something good for our community and the park," says Randy Melton, Operation PRIDE Coordinator for the city of Middlesboro. "It's going be to be a great day!"

The focus of the cleanup will be removal of litter and recyclables from the banks along Yellow Creek. In addition to cleanup efforts, there will be activities for kids that will be geared toward recycling. "The idea is to get folks together for a day of fun and a little bit of work," says park scientist Amy Wilson. "We encourage anyone that is interested to come out and join us. Every little bit helps." The cleanup will be followed by a cookout at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in which all participants will be recognized and provided with special prizes for lending a hand and taking pride in their community.

Registration for the cleanup will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the park visitor center. For additional information please call Amy Wilson at (606) 248-2817, extension 1115. Anyone who is interested in Operation PRIDE in Middlesboro should contact Randy Melton at (606) 499-3677.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Operation Spring Clean | Comments Off

Renowned Appalachian Photographer Subject of Program & Exhibit at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's Hidden History Lecture Series continues with an exciting opportunity to hear about the life and work of renowned Appalachian photographer Earl Palmer from Dr. Jean Haskell, the woman who wrote the definitive book on the "Blue Ridge Mountains' Roamin" Cameraman." Palmer spent his life photographing the southern Appalachian Mountains, its people and their daily routines. His work appeared in Life and National Geographic. Cumberland Gap has an extensive collection of his iconic photos and opened an exhibition of his work yesterday at the national park visitor center.

"Earl Palmer's work is immediately recognizable," explains Park Historian Martha Wiley. "While organizing our historic photograph collection, this extraordinary group of photos really popped, catching our attention! We are very excited to be able to share them with the public. Many of them showcase scenes of Hensley Settlement and its residents before the national park was established and also feature Thomas Jefferson Cupp, a mountaineer who lived near the settlement."

To kick off the exhibit, Dr. Haskell, author of "The Appalachian Photographs of Earl Palmer," will present a program on Palmer and his work at 2 pm on Saturday, March 26th. Dr. Haskell has worked tirelessly to promote the study of Appalachia, having co-edited the "Encyclopedia of Appalachia," has served as the director of the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University and also as the president of the Appalachian Studies Association.

There will be a reception and book-signing following Dr. Haskell's presentation. Her book on Earl Palmer is available for purchase at the park bookstore, operated by park partner Eastern National.

The Hidden History Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Friends of Cumberland Gap, is free of charge. For additional information on park programs, please call (606) 248-2817, extension 1075.

For more information on Cumberland Gap NHP, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Dr. Jean Haskell, Earl Palmer, Hidden History Lecture Series | Comments Off

Shooting Star viewing party at Cumberland Gap NHP

Sunday, August 8th, 2010
The public is invited to watch the annual Perseid meteor shower with Cumberland Gap park rangers at the remote Hensley Settlement this Friday night.

As darkness falls in the southern mountains, the historic Hensley Settlement in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park becomes the stage for a shooting star spectacular. Its remote location high upon Brush Mountain provides an incredible opportunity to view the night sky and the famous Perseid meteor shower.

Visible each year beginning in mid July, the Perseid meteor shower has been observed for almost 200 years. The shower, which consists of dust and debris associated with a comet called Swift-Tuttle, appears as streaks of light in the evening sky. “These streaks can be seen at rates of up to 90 per hour,” explains Park Naturalist Scott Teodorski. “The dark skies found up on Brush Mountain provide the perfect environment to view this spectacular show. It is a sight to behold.”

A fire will be available and sticks will be provided for those who wish to bring marshmallows and hot dogs to roast. Star gazing enthusiasts are encouraged to bring binoculars, blankets or chairs and appropriate clothing.

Visitors interested in participating in this free program should meet at the park visitor center at 6:30 p.m. to caravan to the settlement. Vehicles will be allowed to only travel up to the settlement via the Shillalah Creek Road from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Vehicles will be allowed to only travel down the road from the settlement from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

In case of rain, the program will be cancelled. For more information on this or other ranger-guided programs, please call the park visitor center at (606) 248-2817, extension 1075.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Hensley Settlement, Perseid meteor shower, Shooting Star | Comments Off

Within the Shadows of Cumberland Gap Heritage Walk

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
The Wilderness Road that travels through the Cumberland Gap has seen hundreds of years of history and has been witness to tales of heartbreak and joy, loss and discovery. Visitors can discover these stories during the Friday, May 28th event, “Within the Shadows of Cumberland Gap Heritage Walk,” to begin at the Daniel Boone parking area in Virginia at 6:30 p.m.

During the 1.5 mile long walk through the Gap, visitors will meet several “ghosts” from the road’s past. They will hear the tales of a Cherokee warrior and a long-hunter from 1700 and 1780. Mary Cloud Turner, wife of Revolutionary War soldier John Turner, will be there, sharing her experiences as a resident along the Road in the early 1800s. Meet Matilda, a slave from Newlee’s Iron Furnace down in the town of Cumberland Gap, who is looking for an escape route along the Road in the 1850s. Soon after Matilda fades away, encounter Confederate soldiers of the Civil War during their occupation of the Gap in 1861. Jump forward in time again to the 1920s and meet an English gentleman and his roadster, out for a ride on the newly paved Dixie Highway. Finish your tour with a park ranger, not from 2010 but from 1960, as he welcomes all to this brand-new gem of the National Park Service.

The 1.5 mile walk through the Gap along the Wilderness Road is moderate with one uphill section and some loose gravel. Visitors should wear sturdy walking shoes. A shuttle will be provided to take visitors back to the Daniel Boone parking area after the event, which is expected to last approximately two hours.

For more general information on hiking at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Posted in Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Within the Shadows of Cumberland Gap Heritage Walk | Comments Off

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