Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park Awarded Grant

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park the recipient of a $3,900 Tennessee Arts Commission grant for the 5th year in a row.

Park Manager Monique Johnson said the funding helps cover the cost of folk arts events that the park hosts throughout the year. She said those events include classes that teach people traditional crafts of the area from the 19th century.

“We’re trying to preserve this art so that children will be able to grow up and see it,” Johnson said. “I mean it’s amazing to watch someone weave or to be able to watch someone spin. Not many people understand how fabric is truly made and without visually seeing it sometimes you don’t understand that.”

Johnson said other classes include blacksmithing and marble making. She said because these practices are dying arts, and it’s important to preserve the traditions that are important to Appalachia.

Johnson said the next class the park will hold is a basket weaving course in December. She said that class is typically the park’s most popular.

“We are grateful to the Tennessee Arts Commission and to the Friends of Cordell Hull for their continued support of programs in our park,” Johnson said. “We want visitors to enjoy outstanding activities here, and these funds are key to that effort.”