KUMP CENTER TO CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL WITH 100 TREES DISPLAY

For Immediate Release: December 11, 2025

ELKINS—The Kump House will honor its Centennial with a 100 Christmas Trees Celebration Sunday, December 21 and 28 from 1-3 p.m. at the historic home located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins. The extraordinary display will feature decorated trees of all different types and a magical train display. A traditional evergreen tree will be in the room where Santa will visit with young guests on December 21.

The display includes trees made of candy, ceramics, cloth, foil, glass, metal, paper, plastic and painted wood as well as traditional evergreens and holly trees both inside and outdoors. “Christmas trees have changed over the years, but we still see the magic of Christmas when we share them with others,” said Heather Biola, Director of the Kump Education Center.

“The oldest tree is an antique that family members remember seeing in the mid-1950s on the front hall table. The other Christmas trees have been discovered at the Kump House and in the homes of friends of family members as well as local charities and businesses,” she added.

The event serves as a capstone for the home’s Centennial. Construction of the Kump House was completed in 1925 for Gov. H.G. Kump, his wife Edna and their family. The Kump House represents an ideal home type of the early 20th century. Washington, D.C., architect Clarence L. Harding, produced plans for this substantial house in the Neo-Federal Revival style.

The house was built by a famed local contractor, T.R. Whiteman and was considered one of the largest, finest, and most modern residences of the city. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and is now owned by the City of Elkins.

Most of the home will be available to tour and light refreshments will be served.

“We hope guests will enjoy the trees and support our efforts to secure the future for the Kump Education Center,” Biola said. While the event is free, donation are encouraged.

The Kump Education Center is located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins (across from Kroger). Parking is available behind the Kump House with easy access on Seneca Road.

For more information, visit kumpeducationcenter.com or the Kump Education Center Facebook page.

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CUTLINE: Heather Biola, Kump Education Center director, starts decorating for the 100 Christmas Trees celebration at the historic Kump House in Elkins on Sunday, Dec. 21 and 28 from 1-3 p.m. Volunteer Debra Barsy assists in the background.

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KUMP CENTER TO HOST PRESENTATION ABOUT PAKISTAN

July 24, 2025

ELKINS—The Kump Education Center will host a presentation titled “Painted Trucks and Mountain Roads: A journey through Pakistan” on Monday, July 28 at 7p.m. The KEC is pleased to welcome back a returning lecturer, Nasra Adan. Nasra has nurtured a lifelong passion for travel, photography, and learning about different cultures.

“Recently, I had the opportunity to take an unforgettable family trip to Pakistan—a journey that was as vibrant and colorful as the country itself.”, said Adan.

“Our adventure took us from the capital city of Islamabad to the stunning valleys of Kashmir. The journey through the mountains was nothing short of magical. Pakistan’s visual palette is extraordinary. The colors of everyday life are vibrant and bold—from intricately painted trucks that are true moving works of art, to the traditional clothing that lights up every market and street. It felt like every corner held a story, every view a painting.”, said Adan.

Originally from Canada, Nasra has spent the past 25 years living and working across Asia and the Middle East. She, her husband, and their two young sons now reside in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Nasra teaches writing at a local university. Every summer, Nasra and her family return to Elkins, West Virginia, to spend time with her husband’s family—a tradition she cherishes and a place she has grown to love.

On Monday evening, Nasra will share stories and a PowerPoint presentation featuring photos of her trip to Pakistan. As she said, “This journey was more than a vacation—it was a deep, sensory exploration of culture, nature, and heritage.”

The Kump Education Center is located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins (across from Kroger). Parking is located behind the Kump House with easy access off Seneca Road. The event is free and open to the public.  

Spanish Camp Offered Again This Summer

April 26, 2025

ELKINS--The Kump Education Center will again host an exciting, week-long summer Spanish language camp, providing fun and educational opportunities for area youth. The Costa Rican Adventure-themed Spanish Camp is designed for children ages 4-12 and will immerse participants in Costa Rican culture.

​Spanish Camp is scheduled for July 14-18, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, and is under the direction of Leah Devine. This is the third year she has led this popular summer camp at the KEC.

Devine currently teaches Spanish at Elkins High School. Her 19 years of Spanish teaching experience include middle and high school, as well as Spanish summer camps, ranging from lower elementary at The Arts Center to week-long Spanish Immersion camps for high schoolers. She also directed a Spanish camp for elementary and middle school-age youth in coordination with Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative (MLLC) in Tucker County.

“Campers will learn about the geography, flora, and fauna of Costa Rica and compare these to our WV mountains, plants, and wildlife,” said Devine. The wetlands at Kump Education Center offer camp participants an excellent opportunity to explore native West Virginia plants and trees for comparison.

​“Camp participants will prepare and sample foods and beverages eaten in Costa Rica,” said Devine. This allows campers to learn about the types of food their peers in Costa Rica might eat for lunch or a snack. “Through art, music, cooking, and games, camp participants will acquire Spanish vocabulary and communication skills,” said Devine. Repetition of vocabulary will help the students increase their comprehension of the Spanish language.

​“I am looking forward to creating a fun and engaging experience with a second language. I am excited to welcome new and returning campers. No prior knowledge of Spanish is needed, just an excitement for learning through cooking, art, and play,” said Devine.

​Spanish Camp will take place at the Gov. Kump House in Elkins. Enrollment is limited to sixteen, so registration before May 23 is suggested. Tuition for the week-long camp is $300, which includes lunch and snacks.

For more information about tuition fees and to access registration materials, visit www.kumpeducationcenter.org or email kumpec@gmail.com.