Speaker Series- Sons of the Cumberland
Saturday, February 2nd
1:00 p.m.
Cordell Hull is the most accomplished statesman the Upper Cumberland region has yet produced. The longest-tenured Secretary of State in American history, he was a Democratic Congressman, United States Senator, chief architect of the United Nations and recipient of the 1945 Nobel Peace Prize. Author and historian Mark Dudney will present on how Hull made the unlikely journey from backwoods country boy to world-renowned statesman, exploring his early influences and the social landscape which framed his formative years.
Mark Dudney is the Public Historian at the Upper Cumberland Development District and recently served as an adjunct instructor of American History at Tennessee Tech University. He graduated from TTU with a dual major in History and Political Science and earned a law degree at the Nashville School of Law.
He served as lead writer, editor and co-producer of the WCTE-PBS tourism special Discover the Upper Cumberland in 2012. That same year he published his book Sons of the Cumberland: The Early Years of Cordell Hull and John Jordan Gore. An abbreviated version of that work appears in People of the Upper Cumberland: Achievements and Contradictions (UT Press), named the Tennessee History Book of the Year for 2015. Raised in the Free State community of Jackson County, Mark lives with his wife and three children in Cookeville. This is a free program and open to all ages.
2nd Annual Victorian Galentine’s Day
Saturday, February 9th
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What’s “Galentine’s Day”, you say? It’s only the best day of the year! Ladies Celebrating Ladies! Bring your best girls for a day of yoga, lunch & Victorian-themed crafts.
Round up your mom & the rest of your BFFs and join the ladies of Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park for a day of fun & friendship at our Second Annual Galentine’s Day. We’ll start off with a late-morning yoga practice taught by Wendy Smith. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a nice catered lunch together. Following lunch, we’ll spend our afternoon crafting the Victorian way. We’ll be creating watercolor Valentine’s cards, needle felting, and Mary Johnson will be teaching us to make a basket-woven heart (see photo).
Registration for this day of fun (including lunch) is $35 per person, a great value for 2-3 workshops, yoga and lunch ($55 purchased separately)! Be sure to register in advance, as space is limited to 20 participants. As Donna Meagle would say, “Treat Yourself!”
*Our thanks to Leslie Knope on Parks & Rec for the invention of Galentine’s Day. It’s not the right date, and it’s not the right meal, but anytime women gather together for friendship & fun, it’s a great idea! We agree it should be a National holiday!
For more information, contact the park at 931-864-3247 or register on our website.
Basket Making Class
Saturday, February 23rd
10:00 a.m.
Gwen Morris will teach you how to weave a toy or laundry basket. This class is for beginners and will be a great way to learn how to weave a basket. You will need to bring a bucket, hand towel, clothespins, and measuring tape. Make sure to bring a lunch.
Gwen Morris has been teaching basket weaving classes locally. She is a retired teacher who taught for 37 years. This class is $40.00 per person so make sure to register in advance. For more information, call the park office at 931-864-3247 or visit our website, https://tnstateparks.