Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park
Encyclopedia
Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park is a state park
in Pickett County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. Cordell Hull
(1871–1955) served as U.S. Secretary of State
under President Franklin Roosevelt and played a pivotal role in the creation of the United Nations
in the mid-1940s.
, a barren and hilly area where the Cumberland Plateau
descends westward into the Central Basin. The site is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the Wolf River
, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the Obey River
, and 7 miles (11.3 km) east of the confluence of these two rivers at Dale Hollow Lake. The park is located along Tennessee State Route 325 a few miles west of the road's junction with Tennessee State Route 111 at Byrdstown
. The park is managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
.
. In 1953, the State of Tennessee purchased the cabin from the Amonett family and placed it in the hands of the Cordell Hull Birthplace and Memorial Association. The cabin was taken apart and rebuilt in the 1950s after its purchase by the state, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1972. The museum was built in the 1960s.
In the 1970s and 1980s, oversight of the Hull Birthplace shifted between Pickett State Park
to Standing Stone State Park
, although the staff of both were deemed lacking in the necessary background for historical interpretation. After a report by Tennessee Technological University
placed the structure on its endangered places list in 1986, the State of Tennessee and Pickett County improved the site's management. The cabin was again rebuilt in 1996 in hopes of reestablishing historical accuracy that had been ignored by the previous rebuilding. In 1997, Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park was created when the state legislature approved funding for a full-time staff for the site.
One of many substantial caves located on the limestone-rich Highland Rim, Bunkum Cave is situated along the headwaters of Cove Creek, just south of the Cordell Hull Birthplace. The mouth of the cave is approximately 100 feet (30.5 m) wide and 30 feet (9.1 m) high (30m x 9m). A 1992 survey of the cave by the Tennessee Division of Archaeology
found evidence that the cave had been occupied during the Middle Woodland period
(c. 1000 B.C. - 1000 A.D.). William Hull, Cordell's father, used the cave to house a moonshine
still. The state purchased the cave and the surrounding 29 acres (117,358.9 m²) in 2002 as an addition to the Cordell Hull Birthplace. Shortly thereafter, a 2.5 miles (4 km) loop trail was constructed to allow access to the cave's entrance. At present, a permit is required to explore the cave beyond its lighted area.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in Pickett County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. Cordell Hull
Cordell Hull
Cordell Hull was an American politician from the U.S. state of Tennessee. He is best known as the longest-serving Secretary of State, holding the position for 11 years in the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during much of World War II...
(1871–1955) served as U.S. Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
under President Franklin Roosevelt and played a pivotal role in the creation of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in the mid-1940s.
Geographical setting
Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park is situated along the Highland RimHighland Rim
The Highland Rim is a geographic term for the area in Tennessee surrounding the Central Basin. Nashville is largely surrounded by higher terrain in all directions....
, a barren and hilly area where the Cumberland Plateau
Cumberland Plateau
The Cumberland Plateau is the southern part of the Appalachian Plateau. It includes much of eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia, part of Tennessee, and a small portion of northern Alabama and northwest Georgia . The terms "Allegheny Plateau" and the "Cumberland Plateau" both refer to the...
descends westward into the Central Basin. The site is approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the Wolf River
Wolf River (Middle Tennessee)
The Wolf River is a river in the U.S. states of Tennessee and Kentucky that rises at the base of the Cumberland Plateau in Fentress County, Tennessee and flows westward for several miles before emptying into the Obey River at the Dale Hollow Reservoir. The river is part of the Cumberland River...
, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the Obey River
Obey River
The Obey River is a tributary of the Cumberland River in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It joins the Cumberland River near the town of Celina, which is generally considered to be the Cumberland's head of navigation. Via the Cumberland and Ohio rivers, the Obey River is part of the Mississippi River...
, and 7 miles (11.3 km) east of the confluence of these two rivers at Dale Hollow Lake. The park is located along Tennessee State Route 325 a few miles west of the road's junction with Tennessee State Route 111 at Byrdstown
Byrdstown, Tennessee
Byrdstown is a town in Pickett County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 903 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pickett County.-Geography:...
. The park is managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is a Cabinet-level agency within the government of the U.S. state of Tennessee, headed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Environment and Conservation....
.
History and features
The 45 acre (.18 km²) site includes the refurbished log cabin where Hull was born in 1871 and a museum housing a number of Hull's personal items, including his 1945 Nobel Peace PrizeNobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
. In 1953, the State of Tennessee purchased the cabin from the Amonett family and placed it in the hands of the Cordell Hull Birthplace and Memorial Association. The cabin was taken apart and rebuilt in the 1950s after its purchase by the state, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1972. The museum was built in the 1960s.
In the 1970s and 1980s, oversight of the Hull Birthplace shifted between Pickett State Park
Pickett State Park
Pickett State Park is a Tennessee state park in the upper Cumberland Mountains. It is located in Pickett County, northeast of the city of Jamestown, and is adjacent to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The park is located on of wilderness including caves, natural bridges, and...
to Standing Stone State Park
Standing Stone State Park
Standing Stone State Park is a state park in Overton County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. The park consists of along the shoreline of the man-made Standing Stone Lake...
, although the staff of both were deemed lacking in the necessary background for historical interpretation. After a report by Tennessee Technological University
Tennessee Technological University
Tennessee Technological University, popularly known as Tennessee Tech, is an accredited public university located in Cookeville, Tennessee, US, a city approximately seventy miles east of Nashville. It was formerly known as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute , and before that as Dixie College, the...
placed the structure on its endangered places list in 1986, the State of Tennessee and Pickett County improved the site's management. The cabin was again rebuilt in 1996 in hopes of reestablishing historical accuracy that had been ignored by the previous rebuilding. In 1997, Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park was created when the state legislature approved funding for a full-time staff for the site.
Bunkum Cave
Tennessee Division of Archaeology
The Tennessee Division of Archaeology is a division of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation responsible for managing prehistoric archaeological sites on lands owned by the U.S...
found evidence that the cave had been occupied during the Middle Woodland period
Woodland period
The Woodland period of North American pre-Columbian cultures was from roughly 1000 BCE to 1000 CE in the eastern part of North America. The term "Woodland Period" was introduced in the 1930s as a generic header for prehistoric sites falling between the Archaic hunter-gatherers and the...
(c. 1000 B.C. - 1000 A.D.). William Hull, Cordell's father, used the cave to house a moonshine
Moonshine
Moonshine is an illegally produced distilled beverage...
still. The state purchased the cave and the surrounding 29 acres (117,358.9 m²) in 2002 as an addition to the Cordell Hull Birthplace. Shortly thereafter, a 2.5 miles (4 km) loop trail was constructed to allow access to the cave's entrance. At present, a permit is required to explore the cave beyond its lighted area.
External links
- Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park — official site
- Cordell Hull Birthplace & Museum State Park - Friends of Cordell Hull, detailed information
- Article from Tennessee History for Kids