By Dr. Heather Biola
Kump Corner
October 08, 2022
Maid Silvia, her mother, two Maids of Honor, the Director General and the Queen’s Department visited the Kump Education Center Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2.
We were delighted to be able to share the Kump collection of 1930s Forest Festival mementos with the royal entourage.
Everyone seemed interested to see how many festive traditions we still practice began in the earliest days of the Mountain State Forest Festival.
The 2022 Director General Robbie Morris found a picture of himself in the minor court in one vintage MSFF program. Many others in the group were reminded of things they have enjoyed at past festivals.
Festival traditions are a part of our local history that makes Elkins a community with phenomenal volunteerism, artistic expression and civic engagement.
Kump Education Center has been open 3-5: p.m. on Sundays and will be open Oct. 9, 16 and 23. Although we have not had much attendance at our Sunday afternoon tours, we know our collection of Forest Festival memorabilia from the 1930s is worth seeing.
Our Forest Festival collection, it will be available from 4-5 today after the parade across from Kroger. Children are welcome with adults.
Information below will help you on your Self-Guided Kump House Forest Festival Tour:
Side Hall: Sign in visitors’ log, make donation, and read pull-up sign to learn about the architect and builder.
Music Room: See Kump family clothing plus a mythological costume worn at festivals of the 1930s.
Living Room: Notice exhibit showing how the 1930s queens’ dresses looked like wedding dresses.
Sun Porch: Learn about female participation in the wood chopping and horseback riding competitions.
Dining Room: See how drought almost stopped the first MSFF and how festival brochures changed.
Library: Learn about the Roosevelt family support for national parks, conservation and preservation.
Breakfast Room: Look at old Forest Festival programs on the curly maple table made by George Latham.
American culture is changing and becoming more concerned about our natural environment on earth.
We hope future generations will build on local traditions to develop more awareness and effectiveness in dealing with forest, soil, and water conservation.