Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park to Host Old Fashioned Christmas Dec. 11

BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. - Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park and the Friends of Cordell Hull will host the fourth annual “Old Fashioned Christmas at the Birthplace” on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the park. The event will celebrate the holidays the way they were enjoyed in the late nineteenth century, when former Secretary of State Cordell Hull lived in the rural area on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau.

Highlights of the holiday open house include traditional Christmas decorations in the restored birth cabin and park office, refreshments, lantern-lit trail hikes, and holiday folk, bluegrass and regional music. The museum will be open for those who want to take a short tour and learn about the Upper Cumberland’s very own former U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull. 

Ross Moore of Nashville is the featured musical performer, playing twelve different instruments, including autoharp, dobro, mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, concertina, harmonica, banjo, mandolin, six and 12 string guitars and Irish Pennywhistle. Mr. Moore has been performing for more than 25 years, playing at such venues as Opryland and the Ryman Auditorium. 

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park is located at 1300 Cordell Hull Memorial Drive in Byrdstown. To reach the park, turn at the Shell station on Hwy 111 and travel approximately 1.5 miles down Hwy 325. The site consists of a representation of Hull's log cabin birthplace, an activities center and a museum housing documents and artifacts. The collection includes Cordell Hull’s Nobel Peace Prize. The park also features the beautiful Bunkum Cave Trail leading to an overlook and the actual entrance of historic Bunkum Cave.

For more information about the Old Fashioned Christmas at the Birthplace open house, please call the park at 931-864-3247. Additional information about Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park is also available on the Web at www.tnstateparks.com/CordellHull.