News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
You can celebrate Richard Field Cooke’s 236th birthday Saturday.
Cooke is the man Cookeville is named for.
Education Specialist Ashley McKee said an actor will represent Cooke Saturday discussing history with patrons. She said Cooke was very influential in getting Cookeville established as the county seat. The museum will celebrate his birthday with refreshments and games including two scavenger hunts through the town’s historical markers.
“You’re going to go to five different sites,” McKee said. “And you just have to figure out the clue that I make. Then take a selfie with it and then you bring it back and you’re eligible for a drawing with a prize.”
McKee said the historical marker tour is self-guided. She said one of the more famous markers of the 20 markers is at the site of the only public execution to have taken place in town.
McKee said the markers along with the museum are a good indication of local support for history. Cookeville contains almost 13% of the states total historical markers.
“It’s great that all of our people are so dedicated to history,” McKee said. “That we get to be able to offer this opportunity and show off our history. And you get to go to the sites where history actually happened.”
McKee said the history hikes don’t take that long and they don’t want you to be out in the heat for extended periods.
“It’s very easy, it’s for fun,” McKee said. “We’re just trying to get people out and about and trying to enjoy this nice weather.”
The event will take place on Saturday from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.
