Association Meeting Minutes – September 16, 2016 – Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association

Meeting Minutes

Friday, September 16, 2016

The meeting of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association was held at the Cove Ridge Center on Friday, September 16 at 12 pm. Present at the meeting were Jim Addington, Charlie Allen, Scott Bowen, Grace Bradshaw, Joe Brown, Robert Chapman, Gretchen Cope, Buford Ervin, Jacqueline Fischer, Joe Fuller, Charlie Greene, Megan Krager, Bob McConnell, Wanda McConnell, John Mullen, Joy Mullen, Jim Stallard, Dale Taylor, and Ruble Taylor.

Vice President of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association Dale Taylor opened the meeting in the absence of President Joan Boyd Short. Dale welcomed everyone and introduced Buford Ervin with Powell Valley National Bank, a guest of Charlie Allen’s. He also introduced Jacqueline Fischer, a historical interpreter from Wilderness Road State Park who was to provide a program during the meeting.

Approval of Minutes from July meeting:

Bob McConnell moved that the minutes be approved as written. Charlie Allen 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.

Wanda McConnell moved that the financials be approved. John Mullen seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Report from Natural Tunnel:

Robert Chapman reported that the new cabins should be online sometime in early 2017. He had been in contact with Tempurpedic about mattresses for the cabins. Robert also announced that yurt construction was underway.

Report from Wilderness Road State Park:

Scott Bowen reported that their ghost tour programs were very popular and were already full. He announced that Pumpkins in the Park would be October 27-29. Their women on the Frontier program brought in approximately 350 visitors.

Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center:

Bob McConnell reported that bids were due October 5^th.

Jacqueline Fischer: First Person Cherokee Presentation

Jacqueline delivered a wonderful presentation that was very well received by all who attended. Her time and efforts are much appreciated.

Old Business:

There was no old business.

New Business:

There was no new business.

Announcements:

Dale reminded those in attendance that the Harvest Festival would be held on October 22 from 1-5.

Adjournment:

Bob moved to adjourn the meeting. Joe Fuller 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