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Friends
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF MCCONNELL SPRINGS
Volume 21 Issue 2
Summer 2015
Founders’ Day...See an Unfolding History Lesson
Experience history brought to life at the 21st annual
celebration of the founding of Lexington. Patrons can
enjoy historic reenactments, colonial period music,
storytelling, and tours of McConnell Springs park on
May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
During our event we will be putting the finishing
touches on our recreation pioneer cabin that was
started two years ago. There will be music; entertainment; guided tours of the park; colonial crafts such as
blacksmithing, woodworking, quilt making, weaving,
colonial knitting exhibit, colonial tools, Indian artifacts
and children’s activities; and a special encampment
re-enactment of pioneers who are actually building
a primitive log
cabin of the
type utilized for
land titles and
the very colorful
Kentucky Society of Colonial
Wars Drum, Fife
& Flag Color
Guard.
Bring your family, a picnic lunch and spend the day at
this FREE event held at the Springs. Hotdogs, hamburgers, soft drinks, and popcorn will also be sold on
New History To Chew On Line Up - A Great Year!
This year’s lineup of fascinating topics and presenters
are even better than ever. Sponsored by The Friends
of McConnell Springs and LFUCG Parks and Recreation, the History To Chew On focus is on Kentucky
history, frequently highlighting Lexington and McConnell Springs.
was twice attacked by John Hunt Morgan’s command
and heavily damaged during the occupation of Central Kentucky by Kirby Smith’s Confederate Army. The
battle of Cynthiana centered around the protection of
the Kentucky central.
Remember, History To Chew On is a brown bag
series, we supply tables and drinks. The programs
will start at 6:15 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the
month. All dates below are in the Education Center of
McConnell Springs. See you there!
The great failure of Morgan’s 1864 Raid was that
while he captured Lexington, Union forces prevented
him from destroying the city’s railroad shops. This
presentation covers the importance of the Kentucky
central to the war effort, the attacks upon it, and the
defensive fortifications built to defend it.
June 9, 2015
Guarding the Kentucky
Central Railroad 1861-1865
Speaker: Charles H. Bogart
The Kentucky Railroad ran
from Covington via Falmouth,
Paris and Lexington to Nicholasville. It was the railhead
for Camp Nelson. The rail line
Inside:
July 14, 2015
America’s First Winery
Speaker: Tom Beal
Kentucky has long been famous for its fast horses and fine
bourbon whiskies what is not
known is lying in the heart of the
Bluegrass is the site of the first
(continued on page 6)
Dear Friends, Irish Homecoming
Friends of
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
Isabel Yates, Chair Emeritus
John Kiefer, Chair
Jim Rebmann, Vice Chair
Richard A. Mathy, Treasurer
Charlie Boland, Secretary
Standing Committees
Steven Rogers, Education
Annette Mathy, Events
Richard A. Mathy, Fundraising
B. J. Webb, Nominating
Reneé Williams, Promotions
& Newsletter Editor
Michael Galavotti,
Site Development
Annette Mathy, Volunteers
Jamie Millard, Webpage
At-Large Board Members
Peter Andrew
Sherrell Brown
Jon Hagee
Kelly Keefe
John Kiefer
Elizabeth Maybrier
Doug McLaren
Doc Muzzy
Franklin D. Thompson
Parks Representative
Steven Rogers
Naturalist
Steven Rogers
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Helen C. Alexander
Bill Allen
Tucker Ballinger
Bruce Cotton
Mrs. Norwood Cowgill, Jr.
Lou DeLuca
Thomas P. Dupree
Lillian B. Gentry
Bo Henry
Barbara Hulette
Tim Kelly
Freda Klotter
James Klotter
Susan Lancho
Gloria Martin
Jennifer Mattingly
Pam Miller
Roy W. Mundy II
Carolyn Murray-Wooley
Jacqueline Noonan
Greg Padgett
H. Foster Pettit
Susan Ridenour
Charles W. Stewart
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Dear Friends...
John Kiefer, Chair
I’ll begin by
thanking all of you
who helped make
our 8th Annual
Barrel Tasting a
success. My thanks goes out to those
who were volunteers and those who
participated. We hope you enjoyed it.
The weather was a bit chilly and may
have hurt attendance a little, but we still
did well and I can’t thank Annette and
Dick Mathy enough for making things
work. This is our major fund raiser
for the year. I also want to thank Jon
Hagee and his wife, Tina who worked
so hard to put on a very successful Irish
Homecoming. The presentations and the
music were fantastic. Jon and Tina also
worked together to produce our final
double book presentations of the spring
by Maryjean Wall, and Justin Lloyd,
which was well attended.
an intra-city environmental-educational
park that is so successful that we can no
longer accommodate the requests for use
of the facilities by educators and others.
We cannot do this without leadership help.
Our current Board members have been
fantastic contributing over and above the
required effort. However, many have been
active on the Board for ten years or more
(Isabel Yates and Jim Rebmann for 20!).
Steven Rogers assisted by interns takes
care of the day to day operation and
maintenance of McConnell Springs. Everything else, Founders’ Day, Barrel Tasting,
History to Chew on Authors Series, Annual
Luncheon etc. depends on the Board and
volunteers. If the work load is distributed,
it can be much more enjoyable and less
of a load on anyone. The trouble is that
through attrition, the number of Board
members is too low. Please, if you think
you can help by becoming a Board member
On a more serious note, I need to ador just a part time volunteer, let us know
dress a major problem. We just finished by calling McConnell Springs at 859.225.
celebrating our first very successful
4073, or John Kiefer at 859.276.4507. It
twenty years. Can we make twenty
can be a very enjoyable and rewarding
more? We can’t without your help!
public service. To paraphrase a popular
We would like to begin a campaign for
Marine advertisement, all we need are a
funding an expansion that would double few good people.
our current space. We have created
An Irish Homecoming: Sharing our
Uncommon Culture, Music & Heritage
The second year of our Irish/Celtic Conference was enjoyed by 150 attendees,
growing from last year. We were entertained by live Irish music from unaccompanied ballads to lute, guitar, flute, whistle
and fiddle played as jigs & pub songs
along with creative vocals.
We shared good food, a moving dramatic
presentation, a history panel that moved
from Scotland to Ireland to the American colonies and on to the frontier. Irish
dance brought us to our feet, we learned
of our ancestor's heritage and the indentured servant's journey. Our Irish presenter &
conference attendees made us realize just how much common culture is shared from
Ireland to Kentucky.
Another Great Year for the Wine Barrel Tasting
by Annette Mathy, Event Chair
It was another great year for The Friends of McConnell Spring’s Annual Wine Barrel Tasting for the
Springs fundraising event, now in its 8th year. It was
a beautiful sunny day; a big change from last year’s
stormy weather…Yea!! There were many familiar
faces that brought their friends. That’s a real tribute
to the event! Our volunteers were as fabulous as ever
and we cannot thank them enough. Of course, the
event would not be successful without the generosity of the participating wineries. We owe a big thank
you to Black Barn, Chrisman Mill, Chuckleberry, Equus
Run, First Vineyard, Grimes Mill, Hamon Haven,
Horseshoe Bend, Jean Farris, Lovers Leap, McIntyre,
Prodigy, Rising Sons, Springhill, Talon, and Wildside.
On your next visit, tell them how much you appreciate their participation.
Finally, thanks to the participants who have made it
possible for us to earmark $1,000 of the proceeds to
the “Rita’s Ride” Fund that gives transportation grants
Eight in a limo for the day is great fun!
to schools participating in educational programs at
the park, and to contribute $1,000 to the Friends of
McConnell Springs Endowed Fund at the Blue Grass
Community Foundation which will help support the
park for generations to come.
FREE Ice Cream Social Held August 23 at the Springs!
After this long cold winter we are all looking forward
to the warmer days of summer and this can only
mean that McConnell Springs’ Ice Cream Social will
be just around the corner. Mark August 23, 1-3 p.m.
as a day for the entire family to enjoy. The event is
free and open to everyone who loves ice cream. The
Friends of McConnell Springs are hosting this event to
thank all our “Friends” for supporting us throughout
the year.
Help Wanted
Volunteer part time office
help is needed for
The Friends of McConnell Springs.
Minor office work such as: sorting and
filing and perhaps some typing will
be involved. Call and leave
your name at the Springs at
859.225.4073 if interested.
A special thanks goes to Baskin Robbins on Tates
Creek Road for supplying the ice cream and Republic
Bank on Harrodsburg Road for providing the toppings.
Besides the ice cream there will also be fun activities
for all ages. Donations are welcome, but not necessary.
Security Cameras Installed
Thanks to funding from The Friends of McConnell
Springs and LFUCG new security cameras have been
installed to improve the security of the Kentucky
American Water Education Center. This new equipment was installed at the end of 2014 and are positioned around the building to help prevent vandalism
and theft. An added benefit of the new cameras is
that the staff has found that far more people are
visiting the park then we originally thought. We ask
all visitors to sign in at a registration table when they
enter the park but that sheet is not available after
5 p.m. daily and we have observed that many more
people are visiting the park after that time. The
staff would like to thank all of you who have donated
to The Friends of McConnell Springs because your
money goes directly to the park to support programs
and projects such as this one.
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History To Chew On (continued)
commercial winery in Kentucky and the United States.
Come listen to Tom tell us about the history of the
winery and the involvement by famous Kentucky
people at the starting of this winery by John James
Dufour.
August 11, 2015
To Educate the Masses: Ashland, John Bryan
Bowman and the 150th birthday of UK
Speaker: Eric Brooks
In 1865, the Kentucky State
Legislature approved the merger
of its Agricultural and Mechanical College with the private
Kentucky University under its
regent John Bryan Bowman. This
institution had two campuses:
Transylvania University and the
Woodlands and Ashland Estates.
It would survive in this form until
1878 when it reverted to its original components and
the A&M College moved to its current location and
evolved into our state’s flagship university. This talk
will explore the turbulent early history of UK, John
Bryan’s role in it, and pay special attention to the
museum Bowman created at Ashland, a now largely
forgotten cabinet of curiosities that in different circumstances could have become a great natural history museum.
September 8, 2015
Treasures of
The SS Central America
Speaker: Jeff Garrett
Discover why the loss and recovery of artifacts from the sinking
of the SS Central America in 1857
is one of the greatest rare coin
discoveries of all time. The loss
of the SS Central America in 1857
was one of the country’s greatest disasters in American history in terms of loss of life and money. Hear
about the drama of the shipwreck, its rediscovery
later, and finally the
130 years
epic legal battle that
followed. Recently
the site of the SS
Central America was
re-examined for
artifacts and over
$100 million in rare coins and bars
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were found. Jeff Garrett conducted the most recent
appraisal of the material and has first-hand knowledge of this incredible story. Jeff will also have
actual coins and other material from the shipwreck
on hand for examination.
October 13, 2015
Mary Todd Lincoln:” First Lady of Controversy”
Speaker: Gwen Thompson
Sophisticated and well-educated, Mary Todd Lincoln was
well versed in politics and
committed to her husband’s
career. On the surface, her
success in the White House
seemed assured. Yet few
women in American history
have endured as much controversy and tragedy.
Although wife of the Union
president, she saw more than
half of her siblings supporting the Confederacy. In this
maelstrom of divided loyalties,
Mary Todd Lincoln found herself
attacked by both sides. Confederates reviled her as a traitor
and Northerners accused her of
Southern sympathies.
In April 1865, Mrs. Lincoln witnessed her husband’s
assassination. His death was only one of the many
personal tragedies she endured. In all, Mary lost
three of her four sons and in 1875 her only surviving son put her on trial for insanity. Institutionalized for several months, Mrs. Lincoln was declared
restored to reason the next year.
Need a Speaker? McConnell Springs Speakers Bureau
We can provide you with an interesting
program on this vital and key place in the
founding of Lexington.
No cost within Fayette County.
Call 859.225.4073 to reserve today.
Notes from the Naturalist...
by Steven Rogers
One of the goals of McConnell Springs is
to restore the native plants and animals
of the bluegrass to the park. In our
effort to meet that goal we are continuously trying to improve and expand the native natural
features that can be found here. The staff at McConnell Springs is in the process of restoring a native
meadow to an area in the park that was once overgrown with invasive plant species. This meadow will
add to the native biodiversity of the park and improve
on a habitat that will be a benefit to the animals that
call the park home. This area was once home to a
stand of invasive bush honeysuckle, which is an aggressive plant that grows quickly enough to crowd
out native plants and create an area that has little
benefit for native animals. The honeysuckle has been
removed by our maintenance staff and soon native
warm season grasses and wildflowers will be planted.
To keep up with the progress on this project and the
overall health of the park be sure to come to the
Springs and check in with the staff.
Founders’ Day Schedule of Events*
10:00 Bagpipe & Drum Corps / Pioneers of Kentucky
11:00 Folk songs of early Kentucky – Robert Tincher
12:00 Eddie Price – author of “Widder's Landing”
A novel of Early Kentucky
11 – 3:00
Winchester Dulcimer Group – Strings of
Friendship tent by pond
1:00 - 2:00
Dr. Tom Sproat - Critters In The Classroom Environment of the Early Kentucky Settlements
1:00
Fred Nez-Keams of Yellowknife Native Flutes
1:30
2:00
Jonathan Hagee – Traditional Ballads & Pub
songs from the British Isles to Colonial America
Building of the Log Cabin at McConnell
Springs
2:00 – 2:45
John Kiefer – Geology Tour
3:00
Susie Hutchison - Appalachian Dulcimer
2:45
The Prophet & Tecumseh After the Revolutionary War
Amphitheater & Concurrent Programs
10:45 Frontier Folk – Pioneer Gear
11:30 Kentucky Flintlock Longrifle demonstration
*Times are subject to change. Go to
www.mcconnellsprings.org for a schedule of events.
The perfect gift idea!
Are you looking for a unique way to celebrate a special occasion? Consider giving a present that will last – an engraved paver in the
Garden Spring at McConnell Springs. When you give someone this unique present, you also help McConnell Springs, because $85 of
each $100 paver is a tax-deductible donation to The Friends of McConnell Springs.
Help support educational programming at McConnell Springs with the purchase of an 8-inch by 8-inch brick paver. The permanently
inscribed paver will be placed in the central plaza of the McConnell Springs Visitors’ Center.
Clip this form and return it with $100 payment to: Friends of McConnell Springs, P.O. Box 12196, Lexington, KY 40581-2196.
Yes, I want to support McConnell Springs by purchasing a paver. I have enclosed $100.
Name:_____________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________
City, State:_________________________________________________
Phone:____________________________________________________
E-mail:____________________________________________________
Complete boxes with message to be inscribed on paver. Please print
carefully, with one letter per box. Each box presents one character.
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Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lexington, Ky
Permit No. 224
The Friends of McConnell Springs
P.O. Box 12196
Lexington, KY 40581-2196
Founders’ Day (continued)
Our mission
site. This is a rain or shine event; sunscreen, rain
gear and insect repellent may be needed. Visitors
taking guided tours are encouraged to wear hiking
shoes. A schedule of events will be posted at
www.mcconnellsprings.org. See an abbreviated
schedule on page 5.
Friends – Memberships
The Friends of McConnell Springs is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit
organization. Your tax-deductible donation supports the
preservation of McConnell Springs and educational programs
at the site. Can we count on your support in being a Friend?
If so, please mail this form to the address below.
Name: ______________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
City: _______________ State: _______ Zip:______
Donation amount:
$1000
$500
$250
$100
other: ______________
$50
$25
Complete the form above and mail it with your membership
donation to:
The Friends of McConnell Springs
P.O. Box 12196
Lexington, KY 40581-2196
Trailblazer ($1,000)
Founder ($500+)
Preservationist ($250+)
Builder ($100+)
Homesteader ($50+)
Friend ($49 - under)
No matter what membership level you give, your
generosity is greatly appreciated! Thank you for your support!
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The Friends of McConnell Springs, an independent
not-for-profit 501 (c)(3)
organization, works in a
partnership with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County
Government Division of
Parks and Recreation, dedicated to the restoration and preservation of McConnell
Springs as:
• a national historic site, recognized as the pioneer
encampment in the naming of Lexington, Kentucky;
• an environmental and educational resource; and
• a passive recreational park.
FRIENDS is published by the
Friends of McConnell Springs
Editor: Reneé Williams
Contributors: Peter Andrew, Jon Hagee, Steven Rogers, Sherrell Brown, John Kiefer, Annette Mathy, Jim
Rebmann, Renee’ Williams
McConnell Springs is a natural and historic site at
416 Rebmann Lane in Lexington, Ky. The park has two
miles of trails that wander around the sinking springs,
vegetation, stone fences and vestiges of historic buildings. McConnell Springs boasts more than 130 species
of plants and numerous species of urban wildlife that
reside at or visit the park. The unique geologic, natural
and historic features are protected, providing environmental, cultural and historical education opportunities
for the residents of Fayette County and elsewhere.
To learn more about McConnell Springs, call
859.225.4073 or visit www.mcconnellsprings.org.