Cumberland Gap National Historical Park’s 2018 Programs to Illuminate “A Legendary Land”
Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
Retired Tennessee State Forester Steve Roark Presents Program Series Kick Off on February 10
On Saturday, February 10, Retired Tennessee State
Forester Steve Roark will present “For the Love of the
Landscape,” the prelude for Cumberland Gap NationalHistorical Park’s 2018 program series “TheCumberland Gap – A Legendary Land.” With his
unique storytelling ability, Roark will open visitors’
eyes to the land, seamlessly leading all on a journey
showcasing how the land shapes the nature it nurtures,
how this land has shaped man, and how man has
shaped the land. Visitors will first meet at the national
park visitor center at 10 am where Roark will
captivate with a primer on the land, the forests upon it,
and the animals living within. Then, the story comes
to life as weather permitting all journey skyward to
the Pinnacle Overlook which provides a splendid view
of the mountains.
Park Ranger Lucas Wilder explains that throughout the year, “an exciting blend of hikes,
campfire programs, concerts, a one person play, Gap Cave and Hensley Settlement tours,
moonlight walks, and hands-on demonstrations will illuminate this magnificent land, its rich
history, and its extraordinary people.”
The focal point of the year will be during the Labor Day Weekend when CaveSim will be
brought to the park. CaveSim is the world’s only cave simulator and provides a safe and easy
way for visitors of all abilities to become acquainted with caves. The Labor Day Weekend will
also include presentations on the meteor crater in which Middlesboro is cradled, special Gap
Cave tours, and the mist netting of bats.
-OverRelease
date:
Contact(s):
Cumberland Gap NHP News Release
Cumberland Gap
National Historical Park
91 Bartlett Park Road
Middlesboro, KY 40965
606 248-2817 phone
606 248-2818 fax
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
February 7, 2018
Carol Borneman, Supervisory Park Ranger 606-246-1070
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R AM E R I C A ™
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
Ranger Wilder, a native of Lee County, VA whose love for this land has led to his pursuit of a
PhD in history, explains the 1792 quote of James Smith as being the perfect metaphor for the
park’s 2018 program offerings: “We started just as the sun began to gild the tops of the high
mountains. We ascended Cumberland Mountain, from the top of which the bright luminary of
day appeared to our view in all his rising glory; the mists dispersed and the floating clouds
hastened away at his appearing. This is the famous Cumberland Gap…”
For information on this free program and other park programs, please call (606) 246-1075 or
visit www.nps.gov/cuga. Programs are also being co-hosted by the Friends of Cumberland Gap
National Historical Park and Eastern National. Find the Friends on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/friendsofcumberlandgap. Learn how Eastern National supports the
educational mission of the National Park Service by visiting www.easternnational.org.