In celebration of America 250, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park had a special America’s 250 Timeline the third weekend in September.  Most parks celebrated America 250 on or around July 4.  Cumberland Gap decided to wait so that we could have more people participate in this special event.  Ranger Lucas was in charge, and he worked hard on the event.  Everyone else pitched in to make it a special weekend.

At the center of the celebration was a timeline of life through Cumberland Gap.  Ranger Lucas recruited people for 13 stations, representing different eras of the Gap.  Volunteer Steve talked about the indigenous people and how they managed the land.  Ranger Dylan talked about Thomas Walker as an explorer and surveyor.  A reenactor portrayed Daniel Boone.  Another reenactor channeled Davy Crockett.  Tom was Private John Shields, the blacksmith with the Lewis and Clark expedition.  A ranger from Camp Nelson portrayed a Civil War soldier.  Several men lived as part of the United States Colored Troops for the weekend.

Abraham and Mrs. Lincoln visited with guests at one of the stations.  Ranger Layton was an 1840’s Whig politician on the Tavern circuit.  Ranger Neveah told the story of African Americans moving to Kentucky after the Civil War for better opportunities for their families.  Mining was one of the few jobs that paid black men and white men the same wage.  Ranger Brittony was the schoolmistress at Hensley Settlement.  I did colonial textiles and Volunteer Annie did colonial games.

On Friday, we had groups of school kids who visited and traveled from station to station.  Not all of the stations were available on Friday, but the kids went through ten of the stations in two hours.  We had morning and afternoon groups of young people, ranging from 3rd grade through 9th grade, including some homeschoolers.  I took a group of kids around to each station and got to hear the talks from each of the people at the stations.  We had over 400 visitors to the park that day.

Saturday was more freewheeling.  We had all 13 stations open and people could start wherever they wanted and move from place to place.  Many of them started with Station 1 – the station closest to the Visitors Center entrance – and worked their way down.  We were just starting to get a good crowd spread out through all the stations when I saw lightning and, a short time after, heard the crack of thunder.  We could see and hear the rain coming and we hurriedly tucked everything under the tents.

The rain started at 11:30 and we were hoping it would pass through quickly.  All the people at the stations went inside for lunch, hoping that the rain would be done when they were done with lunch.  No such luck.  The rain continued steadily through 2:30.  Most of the reenactors moved upstairs in the Visitors Center and talked to folks.  Tom was washed out as a blacksmith so he changed uniforms and talked about signaling during the Civil War.  The only people who stayed outside in the rain were the United States Colored Troops, dedicated to historical accuracy.

Being upstairs was crowded, noisy, hot, and lots of fun.  Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone tried to outdo one another with tall tales.  Annie continued to play games with folks back in the corner.  I had lots of people come into my textile room to talk.  Although the day didn’t go the way we planned, it was still a big success with almost 300 visitors.

Sunday was the last day of our event, and the weather cooperated so that we could have everything outside.  It was hot and humid, but there wasn’t any rain.  Over 200 people visited on Sunday and enjoyed talking to everyone.

When we had our “how did it go” meeting at the end of the day, we all agreed that it had been a great event.  Almost 1,000 visitors and lots of great demonstrations and conversations.  We were also exhausted!  Three days is a long time for a special event like this.  Half of the rangers and all of the volunteers were taking Monday off and planning to sleep in.

Our 250 Timeline was a great event, well attended by people in the area and people visiting.  The reenactors appreciated all that we had done to make them comfortable and we appreciated how they talked to folks.  A good time was had by all.