Wilderness Road Blockhouse Interpretive Center
With the completion of the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and closure on the acquisition of the Kane Gap property the Association had $167,000 remaining in the original grant. Special Congressional appropriations of the type we received are unique in that the funding is permanent. This means that any funds remaining upon completion of the original project(s) can be transferred to a new and different project so long as the scope of the new project is consistent with the scope of the original project.
In seeking the best opportunity to maximize the impact of the investment of the remaining funds the Association proposed the construction of a small interpretative center at the Blockhouse site. The proposed facility would be approximately 900 sq. ft. with a 400 sq. ft. attached outdoor demonstration area. The center would have 1775 era exhibits, a small lecture area with audio visual capability, a small gift shop and rest rooms. In addition to the interpretative element, this project would provide two important amenities for the Blockhouse site – water and rest rooms. The center would provide orientation programs for visitors, facilitate educational programs for area schools, enable living history programs and host demonstrations of frontier life and skills. The gift shop would provide a source of income for the maintenance and long term care of the site.
The “bare bones” A&E estimate for the project, including bringing water to the site and the construction of a field bed system but not including exhibits, was $225,000. With a shortfall of $58,000 against our $167,000 remaining funds this project was out of our reach in the absence of assistance. The Association presented a proposal for assistance to Eastman Credit Union and ECU offered a very generous contribution of $50,000. This gift made it possible to proceed with the construction of the Wilderness Road Blockhouse Interpretative Center.
Construction of the Interpretative Center began in July, 2007 and was completed in April, 2008. The Center was dedicated June 9, 2008. During the construction period the Association undertook efforts to secure exhibits for the Center. A contract was negotiated with The Design Minds for design, fabrication and installation of permanent exhibits.
The primary focus of the exhibits would be 1775 – 1795 and the story of the people associated with the Wilderness Road who visited the Blockhouse and interacted with its owner, John Anderson. It was during this era that the greatest hardship and resolve was associated with the wilderness movement and the Anderson Blockhouse became a major landmark on the Road. The exhibits would also remind us that in 1775 this area was still the domain of the Cherokee with occasional encroachment by the Shawnee. The Blockhouse was on the edge of that great cultural and ideological conflict between the native Indians and the advancing white settlers.
Total cost of the exhibits was $60,000. Grant applications to cover the cost of the exhibits were submitted to The Appalachian Regional Commission ($30,000) and The Virginia Tobacco Commission ($30,000) both of which were awarded. The exhibits were completed on September 15, 2008. In addition to the exhibits provide by The Design Minds the Association commissioned a 6’ x 32’ map of the Wilderness Road to be installed as a floor exhibit.
The Blockhouse site is accessible daily for public visitation. Outdoor interpretative panels enhance the visitor experience. During the spring, summer and fall the DBWTA presents living history events throughout the season, host visitors on Saturday and Sunday and conducts educational programs for area schools at the Blockhouse and the Blockhouse Interpretative Center.
