Governor Haslam Dedicates New Interpretive Center at Sycamore Shoals State Park

Friday, June 28, 2013 | 08:18am

Special Grant Presentation to Mayor Curt Alexander Also Held, Benefiting Elizabethton

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam was joined by Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau today for the dedication of Tennessee State Parks’ newest interpretive exhibit at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park.

In addition to members of the community, special guests included State Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), State Rep. Kent Williams (I-Elizabethton), State Rep. Timothy Hill (R-Blountville), Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander, and Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey. The Watauga Valley Fife and Drum Corps provided musical entertainment and refreshments were served, compliments of the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.

Sycamore Shoals Exhibit

The unique exhibit at Sycamore Shoals shares the nationally significant events that occurred at or near this area during the late 18th century. Early settlement, the formation of the Watauga Association, land negotiations with the Cherokee, the Cherokee attack of Fort Watauga, and the Muster of the Overmountain Men during the American Revolution all make up the stories of the exhibit experience.

“From dynamic murals to interactive opportunities, the new Sycamore Shoals interpretive exhibit will take park visitors on an interesting journey into Tennessee’s history, while giving future generations an outstanding educational venue to learn more about our rich and storied past,” Haslam said.

Artist Robert Luce was on hand at the event to talk about the four original paintings he created for the exhibit. The artwork was scanned and crafted into a mural that serves as a focal point in the interpretive center. Other original artwork and donations include the Kings Mountain diorama, woven materials, Native American art and primitive tools, tanning and embroidery, clothing, and copper and silver engraving, just to name a few.

In addition to the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, project partners include Fugawee Shoes, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, John Matheson and the Sound Tech Recording Studio, the Washington County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia, and the Watauga Valley Fife and Drum Corps.

Architectural design was provided by Reedy and Sykes, Natural Concepts, Inc. provided the exhibit design and video was produced by Connor Communications. Exhibit construction was coordinated by Essyx Design and Fabrication, along with Rainey Contracting. The internal exhibit design team included Herb Roberts, retired East Tennessee area state parks manager, Sycamore Shoals Park Manager Jennifer Bauer, Park Interpretive Specialist Jason Davis, and Historic Interpreter Chad Bogart.

“I want to congratulate Park Manager Jennifer Bauer and all of the partners, contributors and supporters of this tremendous project,” Martineau added. “Today’s dedication is amplified by the power of this wonderful place and what it means in the arc of American and Tennessee history.”

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area attracts nearly 400,000 visitors every year. The 85-acre state park sits on the banks of the Watauga River where the Overmountain Men assembled in 1780 before marching to defeat the British in the Battle of Kings Mountain, a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The park features interpretive exhibits, events, a fitness trail and picnic facilities. It is located off U.S. Highway 321 in Elizabethton. For more information about the park or directions, call the park office at (423) 543-5808 or visit www.tnstateparks.com/SycamoreShoals.

Tennessee's 54 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families, or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. Celebrating its 75th Anniversary this past year, the Tennessee State Parks system was established through legislation in 1937. Today, there is a state park within an hour's drive of just about anywhere in the state, offering a variety of recreational, lodging and dining choices. For more information about Tennessee State Parks, please visit www.tnstateparks.com or connect via Facebook or Twitter. For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call 1-888-867-2757.

Clean Tennessee Energy Grant

In addition to the park’s celebration, Gov. Haslam also announced the city of Elizabethton would receive $176,000 in Clean Tennessee Energy Grant funding for operational improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant to generate significant energy savings. The funding will be used to install oxidation ditch equipment into an existing unused basin, allowing an aging and inefficient conventional treatment system to be decommissioned. The proposed project will lower the plant’s monthly aeration power consumption from 76,800 kWh to 59,000 kWh, resulting in a monthly energy consumption savings of approximately 17,800 kWh. This project will save $20,826 in aeration power costs in 2013 and annual emissions reductions will be 231 pounds of nitrogen oxide, 728 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 306,951 pounds of carbon dioxide.

“I am proud to see this commitment at the local level to implement innovative technology and improve efficiency,” Haslam said. “The Elizabethton project announced today highlights local efforts across the state to save taxpayers’ dollars as we continue our work to make Tennessee the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

Today’s announcement marks the second of 19 Clean Tennessee Energy Grant awards Gov. Haslam will be making in the coming weeks, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Conservation. The funding will benefit energy efficiency projects for local governments and municipalities, utilities, and other private and public organizations across Tennessee. Efforts across the state are designed to reduce air emissions, improve energy efficiency and create cost savings. The grant program provides financial assistance to state and local government agencies, utility districts, and quasi-government entities in Tennessee to purchase, install and construct energy projects.

Funding for the projects comes from an April 2011 Clean Air Act settlement with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Under the Consent Decree, Tennessee will receive $26.4 million over five years to fund clean air programs in the state (at approximately $5.25 million per year). As part of the grant program’s initial offering, a total of $5.3 million in Clean Energy Grants was awarded in 2012 to a variety of projects within state government, municipalities, utilities, state colleges and universities and communities throughout the state.

Eligible categories of the Clean Tennessee Energy Grant Program included:

Cleaner Alternative Energy – biomass, geothermal, solar, wind
Energy Conservation – lighting, HVAC improvements, improved fuel efficiency, insulation, idling minimization
Air Quality Improvement – reduction in greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, oxides of nitrogen, hazardous air pollutants

The maximum grant amount per project is $250,000 and requires a match from the applicant. Grant recipients were chosen based on the careful consideration to meet the selection criteria and for those projects that expressed the greatest need. To learn more about the Clean Tennessee Energy Grant and future grants, please visit www.tn.gov/environment/energygrants/ or contact Kathy Glapa at (615) 253-8780 or Kathy.Glapa@tn.gov.

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