EVENTS
Throughout the year, the Kump Education Center sponsors or is the site of many public events. Visit this page often to check out what we are doing, or better yet, follow us on the Kump Education Center Facebook Page!
2024
WOODLAND HERITAGE LECTURE SERIES:
"Where the Bison Once Roamed"
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 7 P.M.
The first lecture of this winter series will feature Melissa Thomas-Van Gundy, U.S. Forest Service researcher, speaking on the history of the bison trails that crisscrossed our region centuries ago. The series continues with four monthly lectures that are all free and open to the public. Funding assistance was provided by a grant from the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Parking is available at the rear of the Kump House, with easy access off Seneca Road.
WOODLAND HERITAGE LECTURE SERIES:
"Nature's New Deal: Monongahela National Forest and the New Deal (1933-1942)"
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 7 P.M.
The second lecture of this winter series will feature Robert C. Whetsell, archeologist with the U.S. Forest Service, speaking on one of the most important periods of conservation, recreation, and infrastructure development in our region's national forest. The series continues with monthly lectures that are all free and open to the public. Funding assistance was provided by a grant from the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Parking is available at the rear of the Kump House, with easy access off Seneca Road.
WOODLAND HERITAGE LECTURE SERIES:
"Nature and the Economy in Appalachia"
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 7 P.M.
The third lecture of this winter series will feature Ericks Brolis, Director, Economic Development & Strategic Initiatives for The Nature Conservancy of West Virginia, speaking on how nature-driven economic development can create a path forward for WV's economy. The monthly lectures are free and open to the public. Funding assistance was provided by a grant from the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Parking is available at the rear of the Kump House, with easy access off Seneca Road.
WOODLAND HERITAGE LECTURE SERIES:
"From Coal Mine to Forest: The Mower Tract Revival"
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 7 P.M.
The final lecture of this winter series will feature Kris Hennig, with the U.S. Forest Service speaking on the history of the Mower Tract, spruce/mineland restoration efforts, and the integration of recreation opportunities in this beautiful area of Randolph County. The monthly lectures are free and open to the public. Funding assistance was provided by a grant from the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Parking is available at the rear of the Kump House, with easy access off Seneca Road.
2023
CELEBRATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 3 P.M.
Join the Kump Education Center in celebrating the 75th Anniversary of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a special presentation
by Becky Ashburn, an Eleanor Roosevelt reenactor. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Parking is available at the rear of the Kump House, with easy access off Seneca Road.
HOUSE TOUR TUESDAYS! (FALL)
TUESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 24, 3-5 P.M.
The Kump House will be open for public tours this fall, with an additional public tour during the Forest Festival on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 3-5 P.M. These tours are free and open to the public and feature interpretive displays about our forest heritage. The displays are partially funded through a West Virginia Humanities Council mini-grant.
SAUDI ARABIA PRESENTATION
TUESDAY, JULY 25, 7 P.M.
The Kump Education Center will host an international lecture on Saudi Arabia Tuesday, July 25, at 7 p.m. The presentation titled “Saudi Arabia, Not Just a Desert Country” will be offered by Nasra Adan, a visiting lecturer from Prince Sultan University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Adan has traveled extensively worldwide, having lived in her home country of Canada, China, India, Korea, Japan, Kenya, and currently, Saudi Arabia. She can speak seven languages besides her native English: Chinese, Korean, Somali, Arabic, French, Swahili, and Spanish. Her language arts specialization has resulted in a career of teaching essay writing at the college level, and she has taught reading, listening, and speaking as a second language.
See full press release on our News Page.
WILD, WONDERFUL WOODS CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, NOON - 5 P.M
Celebrate WV's birthday with a full day of music, including Native American flute music, open house tours, our famous pie auction at 2 PM, vendors, displays, and children's activities. Everything will focus on our region's forests. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. The Wild, Wonderful Woods Celebration has been made possible in part by a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council. See full press release and vendor registration forms on our News Page.
KIDS SUMMER SPANISH CAMP
JUNE 12-16, 8:30-3:30 DAILY
Enroll in this exciting Spanish language camp designed for children ages 4-8 at the KEC. Director Leah Devine will lead the camp with art, play, songs, food, skits, and more! The cost is $200 for the entire week. Enrollment is limited. Go to the SUMMER CAMPS-2023 link for more information and registration.
13th ANNUAL KUMP EDUCATION SEMINAR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26 AT 4 PM
D&E Teacher Education students will make their capstone presentations at the Kump Education Research Seminar at this annual event. Research by D&E students who helped with our mentoring program this past winter and other papers will be presented at this event which is free and open to the public.
2022
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 25-26 FROM 2-5 PM
Join us as we celebrate the weddings of two Kump families with a two-day Open House event introducing new interpretive displays and vintage Kump family wedding dresses and memorabilia. This will feature Edna Scott Kump's dress (1907) and Peggy Kump Roberts' dress (1936) as well as objects symbolic of traditional wedding customs. Other new exhibits will be introduced to the public for the first time. The Open House is free, but donations are encouraged. Parking is available in the rear of the Kump House. A local Eleanor Roosevelt reenactor will be present each afternoon at 3 p.m. The event and displays are partially funded through a West Virginia Humanities Council mini-grant.
FREE FRUIT TREE PRUNING AND GRAFTING WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, MARCH 26 at 2 PM
This free workshop on the proper way to prune and graft apple and pear trees will take place in the heirloom apple orchard adjacent to the Kump House. It will be led by David Proudfoot, who owns Proudfoot Mountain Farm. The workshop will be held outside, so dress warmly! This event is sponsored by the Elkins Tree Board and Elkins Friends of Trees.
