School day on Sept. 27, festival on Sept. 28
BYRDSTOWN –A day for students on Friday, Sept. 27 and a full day of activities for all ages on Saturday, Sept. 28 are scheduled as part of Cordell Hull Day at Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park.
Cordell Hull School Day will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 27 for school and homeschooled children at the park. The day will feature historical crafts workers, storytelling, an animal show, a herding demonstration by Quack Pack USA border collies, and the Good Neighbors Theatre. Crafts workers will demonstrate marble making, spinning, blacksmithing and teaching the game of marbles.
The Cordell Hull Day festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sept. 28 will feature music, 1870s crafts including blacksmithing, a broom maker, sock maker, marble maker, kids’ crafts, and more. The festival will also include a demonstration by K&S Farm of horse plowing from 10 a.m.-noon in the horsemen’s arena, as well as a painting class for kids. All events are free.
“Cordell Hull was a great statesman for our nation, and we want everyone to appreciate not only his accomplishments but learn more about his times and the rich history of this area,” Monique Johnson Hodge, park manager, said. “We want everyone to learn about this great heritage, but we also want it to be a fun experience for everyone.”
The park will also host a hike to Bunkum Cave on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. to learn about the history of the area and moonshine. The hike will explore how moonshine evolved and shaped the history of the cave. Other Cordell Hull Day activities will follow.
Vendors who are interested should call the park office at 931-864-3247. Parking will be available at the horsemen’s arena, and handicap parking will be available at the park museum.
Sponsors include Volunteer Energy Cooperative, Byrdstown Medical Center, the City of Byrdstown, Dale Hollow Marine LLC, People’s Bank and Trust Co., Union Bank, Tennessee Arts Commission, Horsemen’s Arena, and Friends of Cordell Hull.
The Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum is a 55-acre historic park on the Highland Rim near Byrdstown. The site includes a representation of Hull’s log cabin birthplace and period gardens; the Cordell Hull Museum, which displays a variety of photographs and artifacts; and an activities center. The park also includes the Hull Library and Archives.
