Newsletter - Bledsoe`s Lick Historical Association

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2014 Newsletter
Historical Association
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1971
Letter From the President
Mark McKee, III
Annual Dinner
and
Meeting
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Dinner: 6:30 P.M.
Old Union Church of Christ
2505 Highway 25
Castalian Springs, Tennessee
Catering by Nadia Zumbro
Guest speaker: Dr. Kevin Smith
Mark McKee III, President 452-1004
Anthony Anglea, V.P. BLHA Park 452-6282
Robin DeVilling, V.P. Wynnewood 451-1259
Pam Ilott, Treasurer 230-6750
Judy Gilmore, Secretary 452-5387
Joyce Bumbalough, Asst. Treas. 451-9903
The Christmas open house had a great turnout
I am pleased to announce that the long
in spite of a cold and blustery day. Thanks to
the Wynnewood committee, Rick, Robin, Judy,
Harriet and all volunteers. It has been observed
that all I do is grin and nod. With such good
people who love the Park and Wynnewood, it is
all I really have to do.
awaited Wynne family/slave life exhibit is
almost completed. Many thanks to Dr. Bren
Martin and his dedicated students from MTSU for
the outstanding job they are doing. This exhibit
is going to be a true asset to the interpretation
of life at “The Castalian Springs”.
Finally, I want to thank Pam Ilott. Pam’s
husband Paul has taken a job in Texas and he and
Pam will be leaving us. There is no way I could
have functioned in my capacity as your president
without Pam’s input and expertise. She guided me
through audits and grants and kept impeccable
books. Pam, thank you. Thanks to all. One day
soon, I too will leave you. But until then, I’ll just
grin and nod.
I would like to thank our volunteer tour guides:
Judy Miller, Harriett Craig, and Luke Corbitt.
Their work is invaluable. A very special thanks
goes to Judy and Harriet for making not one,
but two trips to Virginia to pick up the special
Wynne Family donations. Our Christmas Open
House was a great success due to the help of our
many volunteers.
Mark
2013 passed with no major tornados or floods
making a rather smooth year for BLHA. The
Park was maintained beautifully again by Mr.
John Garrott. Thanks to him always.
The Colonial Fair enjoyed another successful
endeavor thanks to the countless hours put in
by the fair committee, board members, and
volunteers, many of whom are the same people.
They work so hard that they make it look easy. It
only rained once. Unfortunately it lasted all day.
The only casualty that I know was my wife, Missy,
who slipped on rain slick steps at the Parker cabin
and broke her arm. A quick trip to the emergency
room and six weeks put her good as new. I told
her that if this had happened in 1783 she would
just have to suck it up. This year’s fair is scheduled
for May 2,3 and 4. I’m looking forward to seeing
you there.
Wynnewood was open for the entire season. It
enjoyed a steady stream of visitors. Mrs. Susan
Wynne donated several original pieces back to
the site. Thanks to Mrs. Wynne and thanks to
Judy Miller and Harriet Craig for making two
trips to Richmond VA to retrieve these priceless
artifacts.
With the newly added attractions and
continued support, I feel that 2014 will be the
best year yet for our beloved national treasure.
Rick Hendrix
Wynnewood Site Director
7th Annual Bledsoe’s Fort Colonial FairThe dates for the 7th Annual Bledsoe’s Fort Colonial
Fair will be May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 2014. This fair is
Rear View 1936
Wynnewood Overview
2013 was a very successful year at Wynnewood,
All of our visitors were very pleased with the
museum and restoration work. The past year,
we have added several pieces of original
furniture and artifacts to the Wynnewood
collection, including the actual bed that Jesse
James slept on during his stay at the Inn. These
items were graciously donated by Susan Wynne,
the granddaughter of George Wynne.
a great way to bring families to our park and to
create an interest in local history. We will hope
for good weather and even more success than last
year. A large part of our success depends on you as
volunteers and for sponsorships. Any help you can
provide either prior to the fair or during it is greatly
appreciated. You can contact the fair committee at
[email protected], visit our website
www.bledsoesfair.com, or call us at (615) 461-0222.
2013 at Bledsoe Fort Park
Note from Pam Ilott
2013 was another busy year at Bledsoe Fort Historic Park.
Our Colonial Fair in early May was enjoyed by visitors and
those “pioneers” who spent the weekend reenacting the
lifestyle of those who lived here over 200 years ago. If you
have not attended the fair before make plans for this year,
our reenactors really enjoy showing and demonstrating
the pioneer way of life. If you are interested in becoming a
reenactor, they are more than happy to help you get started
down that path.
It is with deep regret that I have to step down as
treasurer of BLHA. I had a very hard act to follow in
Ms. Doris Gilmore and I hope that I have been able
to measure up. Joyce Bumbalough has been superb
in her years of help, and I send a very big thank you
from me Joyce.
We also put up all new trail signs marking the highlights
of our trail. We are also working on getting several large
information panels placed in the park through a government
grant. There aren’t many places where you can span so
much history within such a short walking trail. Heading north
from the parking lot first is the fort site which is outlined
showing the walled area that contained a dozen buildings
within its walls. Next is the cavern of skulls which dates back
to prehistoric times and was also used by the local Indians
of the area as a “trophy room “of sorts. Also on the side
trail you can see the actual springhouse walls where the
pioneers obtained their fresh water and the steps leading
down the trail to it. This pristine valley is virtually untouched
since the pioneers were walking from the fort down the trail
to get water. A little further down the trail are recreated
lean to shelters much like the early long hunters would have
used. After backtracking back to the trail and going left up
the hill the next area is the pioneer cemetery, burial site of
the Bledsoe brothers and many other family members who
died there during those violent years. As you leave the
cemetery going down the trail you are on part of the actual
Holston Road / Avery Trace that carried many of the pioneers
through this area on their westward journey. As you get to
the bottom of the hill you come upon several significant
historic buildings, Bledsoe’s cabin, Rogan cottage and the
Hunley cabin. These sights and the abundant wildlife in the
park make for an enjoyable walk.
We also hosted some family reunions, church groups and
Civil War canon training, as well as our year round RC Flyers
club. If you see them flying their model airplanes, stop and
say hello, they are happy to explain their hobby and have you
watch. Although not historic in any way, by using our upper
field they really help us keep an eye on the park and keep it
safe with their presence. So if you haven’t visited the park
before or haven’t been there in a while plan a visit.
Today we have this beautiful park due to the generosity of
Thomas Mabry, great great grandson of Anthony Bledsoe.
One of our park brochures states: His vision conceived it,
His generosity enabled it, His enthusiasm encouraged its
development. It is up to us now to keep his vision alive for
future generations.
Anthony Anglea
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MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENT FORM
NAME/NAMES
ADDRESS
I'm going to miss you all a great deal.
I came to Castalian Springs thirteen years ago but
it seems like just last week, and I am very sad to
leave. But, life throws us some challenges that we
really can't say no to and this is one of those. Watch
out Texas!!
CITY-STATE-ZIP CODE
TELEPHONE NUMBER
Thank you to everyone who has helped me along
the way, and if I shouted at you or offended you in
any way ..... I'm passionate about the things I care
about. That's just me, I reckon. Cheers
Family $15.00
Single $10.00
Donations Appreciated
□
____________
I wish to support:
About Our Speaker
□ Wynnewood □ Park □ Both
Dr. Kevin E. Smith, is an award winning professor
in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
and director of the Anthropology program at Middle
Tennessee State University, completed his B.A,
M.A., and PhD. degrees at Vanderbilt University.
Membership Date: Jan. 1 - Dec 31, Each Year

DINNER R.S.V.P.
Dr. Smith’s primary area of research is in the
archaeology of the southeastern United States with
special interests in late prehistoric Native American
cultures of Middle Tennessee, the frontier period of
Tennessee, and the archaeology of African American
life from slavery through reconstruction. As he puts
it, “My real interests are examining how different
people have interacted with the Tennessee
landscape over the past 1,000 years.
Dinner is $15.00 per person and reservations
must be in no later than February 13, 2014.
PLEASE INCLUDE PAYMENT WITH YOUR MAILED RETURN
NAME/NAMES
Overview of Dinner Program
From 2005 through 2011, Dr. Smith directed the
largest long-term modern archaeological research
project ever conducted on a prehistoric mound site
in Tennessee – the Castalian Springs Mounds Project
right here in Sumner County. While the fieldwork
ended in 2011, the labwork continues – and new and
amazing things continue to emerge. Dr. Smith will
provide an update on the newest discoveries from
that project that are changing understandings of
how Castalian Springs was a major player from AD
1050 until 1350.
□
ADDRESS
Number of people attending
Please return to:
Bledsoe’s Lick Historical Association, Inc.
Printed by Gallatin Printing
Pictures and floor plan curtesy of The
Library of Congress Historic American
Buildings Survey and The Tennessee
Historic Commission
Post Office Box 434
Castalian Springs, Tennessee 37031
Telephone: (615) 452-5463