KEC Hosts Second Lecture on Mon Forest

Date: February 9, 2024

Contact: Nanci Bross-Fregonara, Communications Director, Kump Education Center

kumpec@gmail.com

ELKINS-The Kump Education Center, Elkins, is hosting the second Woodlands Heritage Lecture “Nature’s New Deal: The Monongahela National Forest and the New Deal” Wednesday, February 21 at 7 p.m. with Robert C. Whetsell, Archeologist, U.S. Forest Service in the historic Kump House. This lecture is part of a series of monthly lectures supported by a grant from the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area and complements the current Wild, Wonderful Woods interpretive display at the Kump House.

Whetsell will discuss how the New Deal aided the development of the Monongahela National Forest during one of the darkest economic periods in American history and its lasting legacy.

“Although established in April 1920, the Monongahela National Forest grew to become the national forest it is today because of the New Deal,” Whetsell explains.

“Funding and manpower provided by New Deal programs of the Roosevelt Administration between 1933 and 1942, led to forest-wide conservation and fire control efforts, development of modern recreation areas, improvement of roads and communication across the forest, and the expansion of the forest though land acquisition,” he said.

The Woodlands Heritage Lecture Series focuses on the importance of the Appalachian Highlands forests, from the centuries-old bison trails to how it affects current and future West Virginia preservation and economic initiatives.

Additional lectures in the series include: “Nature and the Economy in Appalachia” Wednesday, March 20 at 7 p.m. with Eriks Brolis, Director of Economic Development & Strategic Initiatives at The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia; and “From Coal Mine to Forest: The Mower Tract Revival” Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. with Kris Hennig, Partnership Coordinator, U.S. Forest Service.

The lectures are free and open to the public. Attendees will also be able to explore the historic Kump House and the Wild, Wonderful Woods exhibits. The Kump House is located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins (across from Kroger) with parking access in the rear accessible by Seneca Road.

CUTLINE: The February Woodlands Heritage Lecture Feb. 21 at the Kump Education Center will feature Robert C. Whetsell, Archeologist, U.S. Forest Service speaking on “Nature’s New Deal: Monongahela National Forest and the New Deal.” The lecture will include historic photos such as this postcard view of the Alpena Gap Picnic Area on Shaver’s Mountain between Bowden and Alpena. It was the first of many recreation sites completed by the CCC in the 1930s in the Monongahela National Forest. Photo courtesy USDA/Forest Service.

KEC TO HOST WOODLANDS HERITAGE LECTURE SERIES

Date: January 5, 2024

Contact: Nanci Bross-Fregonara, Communications Director, Kump Education Center

kumpec@gmail.com

ELKINS-The Kump Education Center, Elkins, is hosting a Woodlands Heritage Lecture Series beginning Wednesday, January 17 at 7 p.m. in the historic Kump House. The first lecture, “Where the Bison Once Roamed,” will feature Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy, Research Forester, U.S. Forest Service. The four monthly lectures in the series are supported by a grant from the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area and complement the current Wild, Wonderful Woods interpretive display at the Kump House.

Thomas-Van Gundy’s talk will illustrate the importance of mapping approximately 2,600 km of bison and elk trails in West Virginia using historical records, such as county histories and traveler's accounts. “These large animals would have directly altered the landscape through their creation of paths and their consumption of vegetation,” Thomas-Van Gundy said.

“The ties between Native Americans and bison are still being explored for West Virginia, especially in the highlands where less is known about Native American resource use,” she explained. “This map of major bison trails is an important resource for telling a more complete story of the history of forests and woodlands of West Virginia.”   

The lecture series focuses on the importance of the Appalachian highlands’ forest heritage, from the centuries-old bison trails to how it affects current and future West Virginia preservation and economic initiatives.

Other lectures in the series include: “Nature’s New Deal: Monongahela National Forest and the New Deal” Wednesday, February 21 at 7 p.m. with Robert C. Whetsell, Archeologist, U.S. Forest Service;  “Nature and the Economy in Appalachia” Wednesday, March 20 at 7 p.m. with Eriks Brolis, Director of Economic Development & Strategic Initiatives at The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia; and “From Coal Mine to Forest: The Mower Tract Revival” Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. with Kris Hennig, Partnership Coordinator, U.S. Forest Service.

All the lectures in the series are free and open to the public. Attendees will also be able to explore the historic Kump House and the Wild, Wonderful Woods exhibits. The Kump House is located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins (across from Kroger) with parking access in the rear accessible by Seneca Road.

For more information about the KEC, visit kumpeducationcenter.org, the Kump Education Center FB page or email kumpec@gmail.com. The AFNHA grants were made possible by National Heritage Area funding through the National Park Service.

Cutline information:

The Woodlands Heritage Lecture Series at the Kump Education Center will feature four monthly lectures beginning Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. at the historic Kump House, Elkins. Speakers include, from left to right: Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy, Research Forester, U.S. Forest Service; Robert C. Whetsell, Archeologist, U.S. Forest Service; Eriks Brolis, Director of Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives, The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia; and Kris Hennig, Partnership Coordinator, U.S. Forest Service.

KEC to Celebrate Universal Human Rights Day

December 1, 2023

ELKINS-The Kump Education Center, Elkins, will be hosting a Human Rights Day Celebration Sunday, December 10 at 3 p.m. in the historic Kump House. The event marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and will feature local Eleanor Roosevelt re-enactor Becky Ashburn who will interpret the significance of the UDHR.

From 1946 to 1948, Eleanor Roosevelt took the lead as chairperson of a United Nations committee to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR]. Seventy-five years later, this document is still used as the definition of fair treatment for all people around the world when they may be mistreated as prisoners, refugees, or in any other compromising situation when the UN seeks to mitigate suffering.

“Mrs. Roosevelt was the most distinguished guest who visited the Kump House in the 1930s, and we are delighted to have her ‘return’ for this celebration,” said Kump Education Director Heather Biola. “Becky has been studying the life and work of Eleanor Roosevelt and will allow us to learn more about the personal history and philosophy of the woman who collaborated with other women to shape this UN document.”

“The event will help us understand that the principles of basic human rights and equality were inherent in everything the real Eleanor Roosevelt said and did,” Biola explained. “The Homestead housing project in Randolph County, West Virginia was one of her favorite New Deal initiatives. She liked the fact that the people in this area were willing to work and overcome their own disadvantages and earn their new homes.”

The UDHR is considered one of the most important works of the American Century and was inspired to bring human dignity to the thousands of people all over the world who were displaced after World War II.

“If there was ever a moment to revitalize the hope of human rights for every person, it is now,” explains Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. “We have more in common than we think. And if we hark back to our origins – and look forward to what the world could be in the future – we can see that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights not only voices ancient wisdoms from all cultures but will ensure our survival.”

“We want the world to remember that it’s not just a historical document,” he said, “but a living testament to our shared humanity —a timeless guide.”

The Kump Education Center event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The Kump House is located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins (across from Kroger) with parking access in the rear accessible by Seneca Road. For more information about the KEC, visit kumpeducationcenter.org, email kumpec@gmail.com, or the Kump Education Center FB page.