Association Meeting Minutes – November 18, 2016 – Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Meeting Minutes

Friday, November 18, 2016

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, November 18 at 12 pm. Present at the meeting were Charlie Allen, Scott Bowen, Robert Chapman, Gretchen Cope, Pam Cox, Margaret Crouch, Aaron Davis, John Fox, Joe Fuller, Leon Gamble, Megan Krager, Jim Mallory, Bob McConnell, Wanda McConnell, John Mullen, Joy Mullen, Barbara Reed, Benny Reed, Randy Rauch, Joan Short, Ron Short, and Eddie Woodward.

Joan introduced Jim Mallory with the Lewis and Clark Trust, Inc. and Dr. John Fox with the Friends of Boone Trace, who provided a program for the meeting. She also introduced Randy Rauch, who would be providing a program for the January meeting.

Approval of Minutes from September meeting:

Bob McConnell moved that the minutes be approved as written. John Mullen seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Summary Report:

Joe Fuller delivered the treasurer’s report. A copy of the report is kept on file in the secretary’s archives.

Benny Reed moved that the financials be approved. Barbara Reed seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center Report:

Bob reported that the low base bid and bid additives were both under budget, civil rights review was completed and passed, and proposals were sent to VDOT. The process was taking longer than expected, but Bob did anticipate that the project would finally come to fruition.

Carter Cabin/Christmas Lighting Volunteer Sign-Up:

Joan reminded the Association that volunteers were needed to host the Carter Cabin for the Natural Tunnel Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel events on Friday and Saturday nights. She had a sign-up sheet available.

Program:

Progress along “that little road”

Dr. John Fox, Friends of Daniel Boone Trace

James L. Mallory, Lewis and Clark Trust, Inc.

Old Business:

There was no old business.

New Business:

There was no new business.

Announcements:

There were no announcements.

Adjournment:

Ron Short moved to adjourn the meeting. Margaret Crouch seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

About the book: The Blockhouse On The Holston

The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association has published a history of the Blockhouse that was built in 1775 on the North Fork of the Holston by John Anderson. His fortified home became a landmark along the road west, the Wilderness Road, marked by Daniel Boone that same year. Over the next thirty years, some 300,000 people passed Anderson’s home on their journey through Cumberland Gap and on into what would become the state of Kentucky, and further westward.

William L. Anderson, a direct descendant of John, has written a well-researched book that tells the story, the history of the home that became known to posterity as “The Blockhouse,” and its part in the expansion westward of our new nation. The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association is proud to offer this book that tells, for the first time in such detail, the very significant part played in our nation’s history by the pioneer settlers of the western frontier during the last quarter of the eighteenth century.

Also included in the book are many brief biographies of significant players in the story, maps, an article on Fort Blackmore, and the diary of early explorer Dr. Thomas Walker.

The book may be purchased for $19.95 at Natural Tunnel State Park at the Visitor’s Center and at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse Interpretive Center (276-940-2674) and at the law offices of Lisa Ann McConnell in Duffield. Or contact Robert E. McConnell at roberte@mounet.com or 276-452-4520

About the book: The Blockhouse On The Holston