Kump House Garden Party and Pie Auction Plans Begin

Date: May 15, 2024

Contact: Nanci Bross-Fregonara, Communications Director, Kump Education Center

Email: kumpec@gmail.com 

Cell: 304-516-4775

ELKINS—Plans are underway for a Garden Party celebration and Pie Auction at the historic Kump House on Saturday, June 8, from noon to 5 p.m., with the well-known Pie Auction starting at 1 p.m. 

"We are delighted to host this summer event that highlights not only all the beautification projects that have been taking place both on the exterior and interior of this historic home but also features our wonderful local pie bakers," said Kump Education Center (KEC) director Heather Biola. 

The pie auction is a cherished tradition at the Kump Center and a significant source of funds for the KEC. The Kump House is a hub of activities, from the Woodlands Lecture Series and presentations to tutoring and summer camp activities. This year has been particularly eventful. The financial support goes a long way in providing educational opportunities for the region and assists in maintaining this historic site.

The day's activities will also feature tours of the 1925 home of Gov. and Edna Kump. H.G. Kump was the 19th governor of West Virginia, and his home features local craftsmanship, using locally sourced woods, and a glimpse into the beginnings of new technology. The Kump House is an excellent example of post-WWI life in America and has one of the state's most extensive collections of original furniture in a public historic building. 

Those who have not been inside the Kump House recently will see new interpretive materials and artwork from local artists reflecting the Garden Party theme. Free activities also include kid's games, the Arboretum Walk, and the Pie Auction. Volunteers selling old-fashioned lemonade and sandwiches will provide refreshments. 

"This event marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of the Kump House Centennial," explained Biola. "We have been busy undertaking many beautification projects, thanks to the assistance of board members Debra Barsy and Laura Santmyer. New lights were installed to illuminate the home in the evening and the rose garden is getting loving care.”

“The home is being rejuvenated as it enters its next century," Biola said.

The Kump House is located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins, across from Kroger. Parking will be available behind the home, accessed by Seneca Road. For more information about the event, visit www.kumpeducationcenter.org or email kumpec@gmail.com. 

Cutline:

Kump Education Center volunteers, from left, Debra Barsy, Laura Santmyer and Denise Hass carefully boxed up pies for last year’s KEC Pie Auction. This year’s major fundraising event will be Saturday, June 8. The summertime Garden Party celebration will include children’s activities, Arboretum Walk, refreshments and free tours of the historic Kump House. All proceeds from the event support the Kump Education Center.

KEC Hosting Summer Spanish Camp!

DATE: May 1, 2024

ELKINS--The Kump Education Center will again host an exciting, week-long summer Spanish language camp that will provide fun and educational opportunities for area youth. The Around the World-themed camp is designed for children ages 5-10 and will transport participants to different Spanish-speaking countries.

Spanish Camp is set for July 15-19, from 8:30-3:30 daily, and is directed by Leah Devine. This is her second year leading this popular summer camp at the KEC.

Devine currently teaches Spanish at Elkins High School. Her 18 years of Spanish teaching experience include middle and high school and Spanish summer camps, ranging from lower elementary at The Arts Center to weeklong 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.

“We will travel around the world and visit one or more countries each day. We’ll explore arts and culture, and, for lunches, the campers will prepare traditional foods of that country,” said Devine. Participants will also listen to music and create art inspired by the countries. 

“Spanish Camp will also pique young campers’ interest in Spanish through immersive play,” she added. Repetition of vocabulary will help the students comprehend and communicate in Spanish while playing games, preparing and sampling foods, and making art in Spanish. 

“I look forward to creating a fun and exciting 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 June 15 is suggested. Tuition for the week-long camp is $300, which includes lunch and snacks.

Click here for registration materials and more information or email kumpec@gmail.com.

Kump Education Center to Host Final Woodlands Heritage Lecture

Date: April 11, 2024

Contact: Nanci Bross-Fregonara, Communications Director, Kump Education Center

kumpec@gmail.com

ELKINS-The Kump Education Center, Elkins, is hosting the final Woodlands Heritage Lecture, “From Coal Mine to Forest: The Mower Tract Revival,” on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. with Kris Hennig, U.S. Forest Service Partnership Coordinator, in the historic Kump House lower level. This lecture is part of a series of monthly lectures supported by a grant from the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. It complements the current Wild, Wonderful Woods interpretive display at the Kump House.

Hennig will discuss the history, natural community, and restoration of Randolph County’s Mower Tract, a 40,000-acre area located within the Monongahela National Forest.

“An extensive partnership supported restoration effort, over 15 years in the making, is transforming this formerly mined and heavily impacted landscape into an area of recreational and ecological significance,” Hennig said. Since its inception, the Mower Tract restoration effort has planted over 800,000 native plants and constructed thousands of wetlands on nearly 1,500 acres of mined lands. These activities are restoring the mature red spruce ecosystem that these lands historically hosted back upon the landscape; to the benefit of wildlife, aquatic and forest health, and the public.

“In the early 2000’s, the U.S. Forest Service was a founding member in the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI), a group that has grown to include 20+ partnering agencies and organizations. These restoration efforts started small, but collaborations within CASRI has helped grow and evolve our restoration practices to maximize the success and ecological outcomes of these efforts”. he said. “The Mower Tract is a great example of what can happen when land management, partnerships, research, and volunteerism come together,” he said.

The Woodlands Heritage Lecture Series focuses on the value of the Appalachian Highlands forests, from the centuries-old bison trails to how they affect current and future West Virginia preservation, recreation, and economic initiatives.

The lectures are free and open to the public. Attendees will also be able to explore the historic Kump House and the Wild, Wonderful Woods exhibits. The Kump House is located at 401 Randolph Ave., Elkins (across from Kroger), with parking access in the rear accessible by Seneca Road.

For more information about the KEC, visit kumpeducationcenter.org, the Kump Education Center FB page, or email kumpec@gmail.com. The AFNHA grants were made possible by National Heritage Area funding through the National Park Service.

CUTLINE:

The final Woodlands Heritage Lecture on Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m. at the Kump Education Center will feature Kris Henning, U.S. Forest Service Partnership Coordinator speaking on “From Coal Mine to Forest: The Mower Tract Revival.” The lecture is free and open to the public.