Post by L Roebuck on Feb 6, 2006 9:11:52 GMT -5
Dunbar wants history display
Proposed state budget could bring $250,000 for renovations
By THOMYA HOGAN
The Leaf-Chronicle
The exhibits room at Dunbar Cave State Natural Area gives visitors a sense of what contributes to the park's appeal and beauty.
Overhead hangs two hornets' nests — one a cut-away — to give those interested a peek into how the insects live. On one wall is a Great Horned owl clutching a bobwhite quail, and other birds of the area — like the American Kestrel — are also on display. Taxidermic snakes and rodents, as well as animal skins, adorn several display cases and tables — as do seeds, leaves, various birds' nests and tree bark — to add to the average person's education on the park's natural makeup.
What the room doesn't include, however, is information about the park's history — like how the caves were formed, the American Indians that may have lived there and the Big Bands that played at the park.
Local parks manager Bob Wells hopes to change that, and he may be able to do so if the state Legislature passes Gov. Bredesen's proposed budget.
The budget, which will be outlined in Bredesen's State of the State address scheduled for Tuesday, includes $250,000 to renovate Dunbar Cave's exhibits room. The project includes a listening area and exhibits on the history of the cave, including the Big Band era, early settlements, archaeology and geology.
It also would include information about conservation, current events and an interactive computer program.
The money is part of $9.6 million proposed for state Environment and Conservation Department maintenance projects. Wells said the park would solicit getting artifacts — photos, recollections and other historical items — for the new center.
"We have an exhibit room on site, but this would allow us to have it professionally done," said Bob Wells, park manager. "We have a prospectus — an idea of what we want — it's just a matter of doing it and putting the project in place."
House Majority Leader Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, said she thinks the projects for Dunbar Cave will be funded.
"It's a worthwhile project and was recommended by the department," she said, referring to the Department of Environment and Conservation. "It's something that's justified in the budget."
She said she has seen a preliminary budget proposal, which also includes $1.5 million for renovations of two buildings at Austin Peay State University and $50,000 for the local Child Advocacy Center. She said she plans to work closely with the governor's office to make sure "the projects recommended for Montgomery County stay in the budget."
A historical treasure
Dunbar Cave's history dates back more than 3 million years when the caves were formed. The 8.07-mile cave is the 75th longest in the United States and may have been occupied by man for thousands of years.
A resort was built at Dunbar Cave in 1901, and dances featuring the big bands of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Kay Kyser were held there through the 1940s.
Wells said he has heard other entertainers, like Lena Horne and Billie Holiday, may have also performed at Dunbar Cave.
Country entertainer Roy Acuff bought the cave area in 1948, and staged his "Saturday Night Radio Dance Broadcast" from the site. He sold the Dunbar Cave property to McKay King in 1966. King's estate sold the property to the state in 1973 for about $266,000.
The park was closed in 2001 by former Gov. Don Sundquist in an effort to help the state save $1 million a year. It reopened in 2002 with one-time money from the state's Lands Acquisition Fund and has remained open ever since.
Since it reopened in 2002, the park itself has fewer staff. Wells said the park has three employees and he hopes to soon add a fourth.
Thomya Hogan may be reached at 245-0282 or by e-mail at thomyahogan@theleafchronicle.com.
Originally published February 6, 2006
www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060206/NEWS01/602060308/1002
Proposed state budget could bring $250,000 for renovations
By THOMYA HOGAN
The Leaf-Chronicle
The exhibits room at Dunbar Cave State Natural Area gives visitors a sense of what contributes to the park's appeal and beauty.
Overhead hangs two hornets' nests — one a cut-away — to give those interested a peek into how the insects live. On one wall is a Great Horned owl clutching a bobwhite quail, and other birds of the area — like the American Kestrel — are also on display. Taxidermic snakes and rodents, as well as animal skins, adorn several display cases and tables — as do seeds, leaves, various birds' nests and tree bark — to add to the average person's education on the park's natural makeup.
What the room doesn't include, however, is information about the park's history — like how the caves were formed, the American Indians that may have lived there and the Big Bands that played at the park.
Local parks manager Bob Wells hopes to change that, and he may be able to do so if the state Legislature passes Gov. Bredesen's proposed budget.
The budget, which will be outlined in Bredesen's State of the State address scheduled for Tuesday, includes $250,000 to renovate Dunbar Cave's exhibits room. The project includes a listening area and exhibits on the history of the cave, including the Big Band era, early settlements, archaeology and geology.
It also would include information about conservation, current events and an interactive computer program.
The money is part of $9.6 million proposed for state Environment and Conservation Department maintenance projects. Wells said the park would solicit getting artifacts — photos, recollections and other historical items — for the new center.
"We have an exhibit room on site, but this would allow us to have it professionally done," said Bob Wells, park manager. "We have a prospectus — an idea of what we want — it's just a matter of doing it and putting the project in place."
House Majority Leader Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, said she thinks the projects for Dunbar Cave will be funded.
"It's a worthwhile project and was recommended by the department," she said, referring to the Department of Environment and Conservation. "It's something that's justified in the budget."
She said she has seen a preliminary budget proposal, which also includes $1.5 million for renovations of two buildings at Austin Peay State University and $50,000 for the local Child Advocacy Center. She said she plans to work closely with the governor's office to make sure "the projects recommended for Montgomery County stay in the budget."
A historical treasure
Dunbar Cave's history dates back more than 3 million years when the caves were formed. The 8.07-mile cave is the 75th longest in the United States and may have been occupied by man for thousands of years.
A resort was built at Dunbar Cave in 1901, and dances featuring the big bands of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Kay Kyser were held there through the 1940s.
Wells said he has heard other entertainers, like Lena Horne and Billie Holiday, may have also performed at Dunbar Cave.
Country entertainer Roy Acuff bought the cave area in 1948, and staged his "Saturday Night Radio Dance Broadcast" from the site. He sold the Dunbar Cave property to McKay King in 1966. King's estate sold the property to the state in 1973 for about $266,000.
The park was closed in 2001 by former Gov. Don Sundquist in an effort to help the state save $1 million a year. It reopened in 2002 with one-time money from the state's Lands Acquisition Fund and has remained open ever since.
Since it reopened in 2002, the park itself has fewer staff. Wells said the park has three employees and he hopes to soon add a fourth.
Thomya Hogan may be reached at 245-0282 or by e-mail at thomyahogan@theleafchronicle.com.
Originally published February 6, 2006
www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060206/NEWS01/602060308/1002