Sergeant York Says Newsletter (Summer 2011)

8/6/2019 Sergeant York Says Newsletter (Summer 2011)

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Summer 2011

Maffett-Bouton & Associates, an architectural and engineering firm in Cookeville, has been selected to create an adaptive reuse plan for the1920s-era York Institute building in Jamestown.

We are excited about the opportunity to be a part of bringing another historic building back to life, and in doing so, honoring a World War hero, said architect Bill Maffett. It is projects like these that make our jobs as architects worthwhile.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the York facility has undergone a $1 million remediation and stabilization through the effortsof The Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, a nonprofit organization that negotiated rescue of the building from demolition by the State of Tennessee.

Bill Maffett and Gary Bouton are developing a comprehensive long-range adaptive reuse plan for turning the historic building into a center foteaching and research, as well as a venue for showcasing culture, the arts and history, said Claudia Johnson, executive director of the SYPFOur board believes that collaborative partnerships with schools, colleges, technology centers and arts, history and cultural organizations wicarry forth the legacy of Sgt. York.

The adaptive reuse plan is being funded in part by a grant from the Tennessee Historical Commission, matched by donations from NexGeneration Underwriters of Hendersonville and Cumberland Lake Shell of Somerset, Ky. Johnson said Maffett-Bouton & Associates wasselected from more than a dozen firms throughout the Southeast invited to submit proposals.

This firm has more than fifty years experience in architecture, engineering and construction, including numerous adaptive reuse projects,Johnson said. Our board also considered that this firm is from the Upper Cumberland. Sgt. York believed in supporting his region, and we dotoo.

Johnson said as many local companies and suppliers were used during the 2009 preservation of the building as possible, a practice whichwill be continued as the restoration process moves forward.

We believe this is an important project for the region, and we are proud to be a part of developing it, Bouton said. Our firm places emphasis

on serving as a resource for both the contractor and the client as it pertains to new materials and technology, code compliance, planning andzoning. We also focus on designing environmentally friendly facilities.

In creating an adaptive reuse plan, the SYPF board has asked the architectural firm to prioritize utilization for classrooms, laboratories andother space allocation as deemed necessary to offer additional educational opportunities on the Upper Cumberland Plateau.

We hope to form strategic partnerships with such entities as York Agricultural Institute, Tennessee Tech University, TTU STEM Center, OakRidge National Laboratory, Tennessee Technology Center, Roane State Community College, adult education, workforce development andothers, Johnson said. Bill and Gary will be seeking and considering recommendations from potential stakeholders when formulating the reuseplan, Johnson said. There is also an obligation to work within guidelines for restoration of historically significant buildings, preserving thearchitectural integrity while making the facility fully functional for modern use.

Considering the size of the building, Johnson said space may be allocated for permanent and traveling flat panel exhibits that focus on localregional, state and national history, arts, culture and humanities.

A long-time dream of some of our board members is creation of aWWI research center to serve scholars and students throughout theworld, Johnson said, adding that there is ample space for smalconferences, seminars and meetings. Though the spacious origina

auditorium was demolished long ago, we hope to offer a more intimateauditorium for public use training, seminars, lectures, concertsscreenings, drama, etc.

Johnson expects that the cost estimates, project renderings andschematic site plan produced by Maffett-Bouton will be instrumentawhen approaching potential partners and funding sources.

We have already raised approximately $500,000, primarily fromprivate foundations and individuals, but all of those funds have beenused to match a $500,000 grant from the state for merely saving thebuilding by addressing environmental hazards and structural issues.For more about the architectural firm visit maffett-bouton.com. Focomprehensive information about the York Institute restoration projectvisit www.sgtyork.org.

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Architects Selected for York Institute Adaptive Reuse Plan
http://www.sgtyork.org/http://www.sgtyork.org/http://www.sgtyork.org/http://www.sgtyork.org/


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EnhancementsatHullandYorkStateParksofferbettervisitorexperience

Morethan$40,000hasrecentlybeeninvestedfor interpretationandpromotionofSgtAlvinC.YorkStateParkinPallMallandCordellHullBirthplaceStateParkinByrdstown.Visitorstobothparkswillnowhavearicherexperience,saidClaudiaJohnson,executivdirector of theSgt. YorkPatriotic Foundation, thenonproKit organization thatobtainedafederaltourismgrantforenhancingtheparks. The Appalachian RegionalCommission (ARC) offered a special grant for tourism

development available to only thecounties in Tennessee and entuckyadjacent totheBigSouthForkNationalRecreational Area. Johnson explainedthat because of the availability of thegrant funds for the Hull-York project,tourists are now learning more abouttwo of Tennessees most respectednativesons.Forexample,thefreetoursatbothsitesareself-guided,yet therehasbeennothing to explain or interpret theexperience, Johnson said. Now, three

large information- and photo-packed interpretive wayside panels arestrategically placed at Hull and eight more at York. Additionally, three push-button audio units broadcasting originaexplanatorymessagesareinstalledateachhistoricsite.BothPickettandFentressCountieshavesuffereddevastatingindustryclosuresinrecentyears,andduetothedistanceoftheseareasfromrail,interstateroads,majorcommerceareasor commercially navigable waterways, the emphasis ondevelopment oftourismasan industryandthe enhancementoftourist-relatedsitesandbusinesseshavebecomecrucialtotheeconomicsurvivalofthesecommunities. TheYorkand Hullparksaregeographicallypositionedsothat travelers onU.S.127or U.S.111northof Interstate 40,especially those whose destination is the Big South Fork,couldconveniently visit one or both of the parks, Johnson

observed,adding,Unfortunatelyuntilthisproject, therewasno signage that let interstate travelers know that the Yorkparkexisted. JohnsonsaidwhiletheARCgrantfundeddirectionalsignagesurroundingYorkpark,itdidnotpayforsignagefromI-40.However, theTennesseeDepartment of Transportationagreedto erectsignageat Exit 317directingvisitorstoYorkpark in support of the ARC grant projects tourismdevelopmentefforts. Weusedgrant funds toenhancethesgtyork.orgwebsitewithoriginalvideosandnarratedslideshowstoenticevisitors

to make thetrip, Johnsonsaid.Wealsomade available for downloadatopographical tour map, tour brochure, lesson plan for educators, anoriginal full-length interpretive script and a list of tour stop GPScoordinates. Yorks bravery andselKlessness inWorldWarI elevatedhimtoiconicstatus,whileHullis internationally recognizedas thefounding fatherotheUnitedNations.ThroughthesheerpowerofthehistoryandlegacyofeachofthesemenYorkandHulltheTennesseeStateParksbearingtheirnamesdrawtenof thousands of visitors each year to a relatively remote area oTennesseesUpperCumberland,Johnsonsaid. Thisis verygoodfortheeconomyandconKirmsthattheseheroesarestillworthremembering.

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PresentersMary Curren

spinning (pictured in background)

Natali and Paul Devinehand-dyed baskets

Julie Styer

wood burning & paintingMaxine Osburn

gourd art

Chuck Beckerlandscape painting

Patti Ognibenehandmade jewelry

Lynne Looneymodern and abstract art

Robin BlaineNative American weaving and beadwork

Chuck BlaineDulcimers

Carol Ludgaterealistic paintings

Thomas & Renata Martinprimitive Woodcraft

Rachel LaPlantjewelry

Doug Thompsonmetal and wood art

Debra Genchivintage fabric creations

Fentress County Artist Guild

local arts and crafts

Joe BarkleyDoughboy reenactment

Alison Vick

WWI artifacts

Bruce E. York

genealogy

Fentress County Historical Society

historic displays

Dr. Calvin Dickinson

author, Soldiers, Spies and Spartans

Mark Thompson

black powder shooting

Spankies Smokehousefood and desert cart

***York General Store & Visitor Center

deli, gifts and souvenirs

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Natali

Devine Mary Curren


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Work is the subject of a Smithsonian exhibition tour set for Upper Cumberland in May 2012

The Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition The Way We Worked will visit Jamestown from April 28 - June 2, 2012.The exhibit is made possible through a partnership between the Smithsonian Institutions Traveling Exhibition Service and

Humanities Tennessee, a not-for-profit organization that provides public education in the humanities for all Tennesseans.We are very pleased to be able to bring this exhibit to the Cumberland Plateau, said Claudia Johnson, executive director o

the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation, the nonprofit organization that is one of only six organizations in Tennessee to be awarded thehonor of sponsoring the exhibit.

The Way We Worked uses large-scale images, audio/video recordings and artifacts to explore the history and meaning ofwork in American society across regions and over time, Johnson said, explaining that Progressive Savings Banks main office in

Jamestown will host the exhibit.We are honored and humbled to host such a distinguished institution as the Smithsonian in Jamestown, said Steve Rains,

CEO of Progressive Savings Bank. This exhibit will enable the people of the Upper Cumberland and surrounding areas in Tennesseewho may never have a chance to visit the Smithsonian museum system in Washington, DC, to experience some of what theSmithsonian has to offer.

Rains expressed appreciation to the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundations board and management on behalf of the employees anddirectors of Progressive Savings Bank, The Rains Agency, and Cravens and Company Advisors for working to bring the educationaopportunity to the region, calling it a privilege to host the exhibit.

Admission will be free to the public, and special emphasis will be placed on attracting students of all ages.Adapted from an original exhibition developed by the National Archives, The Way We Worked explores how work became a

central element in American culture by tracing the changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years.The Way We Worked offers multiple opportunities for local historical, genealogical and educational groups to showcase their

own collections and local history, Johnson said, adding that the York Foundation hopes to work with volunteers from interestedorganizations throughout the Upper Cumberland and the Cumberland Plateau to launch a variety of concurrent programs such as

community research projects, companion exhibits or book/film discussions.Humanities Tennessee is delighted by the talented and resourceful hosts involved in the upcoming tour, says Robert

Cheatham, president of Humanities Tennessee. We are eager to work with them as they delve into their varied local histories toexplore this topic.

Cheatham noted that from the farms and factories, to challenging barriers to employment, to the ever-changing technology othe tools used, the project offers a profound opportunity for Tennesseans to explore the means and meaning of work in theicommunities and their role in the national story.

Venues in Jamestown, Lexington, Cowan, Elkton, Memphis and Dyersburg and their surrounding communities were chosenby Humanities Tennessee to host The Way We Worked as part of the Museum on Main Street project. For more information abouHumanities Tennessees programming, visit www.humanitiestennessee.org. For information about the York Foundation visiwww.sgtyork.org or contact Johnson at (931) 347-2664.

The Way We Worked is funded in part through a Congressional appropriation to the Smithsonian and in part with fundsfrom the National Endowment for the Humanities.

One of the new

interpretive panels

at York State Park

focuses on the way

Sgt. York worked in

the years before

and after his WWI

service. He was a

farmer, educatormiller and store

owner.

He also worked in

road construction

and the railroad

and drilled oil wells.

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http://www.sgtyork.org/http://www.sgtyork.org/http://www.sgtyork.org/http://www.humanitiestennessee.org/http://www.humanitiestennessee.org/


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Sgt. York says...If we want to avoid future wars, and we do, wewant to remove the threat of destructiveradicalism and anarchy. If we want to prepare

our great Country for her world leadership, thenwe must learn the lesson of the fundamentaltruths of life. We must believe in God and in hisHoly Word. We must always be willing to fight and better still to live for our Country.

We must bring up the younger generations to beworthy citizens of this Republic. We can bestbegin that by affording them a decenteducation. That is what I am trying to do in the

mountains of Tennessee. In plain language, theideals of the school are one God, one Bible andone Country. That is enough for any man.- from a Sgt. York speech, mid-1920s

Our county is in danger. The war that hasbrought death and destruction to millionsabroad has come to our own shores. Our

very own citizens are being murdered andour own soldiers are this day giving theirlives to protect our own soil. Much as someof us may have hoped that we might keepthe fires of destruction from our land, wemust face the stark truth that we are in adanger.Our homes, our schools, our churches, ourright to live in peace and earn our ownhonest living; our right to rear families; to

vote as we please, to worship God as weplease, yes, and the right to breath air offreedom, all of these things arethreatened. Our country now faces thegreatest danger it has ever faced and youand I as citizens of this country mustrealize that it is going to take blood andtears, taxes, self-denial, hardships, and thelives of thousands of our own young menfrom every community in America to win

this war.We face foes who have no conscience , nohonor, no respect for the rights ofothers . The war has reached a placewhere we must fight it to a finish and win,or lose the fight with all the loss offreedom that defeat would mean.

All Out For Victoryby Alvin C. York. Radioaddress Jan. 5, 1941

Timeless words from Sgt. Alvin C. York

Every fiber of our body is American, and every emotion in our heart isAmerican. Our everyday prayer is, God save America and strengthenour arms and lift up the hands that hold up our flag, Old Glory, thatshe, that stars and stripes wave over the land of the free and the home ofthe brave. Yorks speech on Tennessee Day, New York Worlds Fair, July 22, 1939

I dont know much, only a few fundamentalthings things that count too. I ambeginning to understand what it is all

about, where I belong, and, where I get

off. The beginning and the middle and theend. And all of it is God. Mind you, I amnot trying to ram my beliefs down anybodyelses throat. I am not trying to convert

anybody. A mans religion is his ownbusiness. He has to settle that with himselfand his God. All I am doing is telling you

my story.- from a Sgt. York speech, mid-1920s


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Sgt. Yorks children Betsy York Lowrey and George

Edward York, 3rd & 4th from left, were special guestsof the West Wilson Historical Society, where George

York and Executive Director Claudia Johnson werespeakers.

Andrew York, along with other SYPF board members,

George York, Betsy Lowrey and Angela York, SYPF

executive director Claudia Johnson and advisory board

member Danny Nichols attended the York Institute

JROTC annual formal on April 9.

George Edward York was a guest speaker at the

memorial service for the last surviving WWI soldier,Frank Buckles, at the National World War I Museum atLiberty Memorial in March. SYPF Board Chairman

Gerald York also attended.

Cletus York, nephew of Sgt. York, retired in April 2011 afte

spending more than three decades employed at Alvin C. YorkState Historic Park. He is an expert on the historic grist mill

Visit www.yorkgeneralstore.blogspot.com to hear Clete talkabout the mill. On the video other York family members talk

about Pall Mall and the York home and farm.

Spreading the word, sharing the Legacy

Promo booth created by SYPF Exec. Dir. ClaudiaJohnson & York General Store Manager Sarah Voiles

Board member Darlene

D a v i s a n d f a m i l ya t t e n d e d 2 0 1 0

Christmas in the Valley.The 2011 free event isset for Dec. 10 at York

General Store beginningat 4 p.m.

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http://www.yorkgeneralstore.blogspot.com/http://www.yorkgeneralstore.blogspot.com/


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April 7, 1919Paris I arrived in Paris at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. was our meeting. I was there on

time at the Hotel De Babriel. So we had the meeting all day until 5:30 a.m.

This second time I went to Paris was to attend the first meeting that was called toorganize the American Legion. I represented my division as a noncommissioned officer.Captain Williams of the machine gun company represented the commissioned officers of our division. And we allorganized the American Legion that day in the Hotel. And there were officers and men representing all of thedifferent American outfits in France. So I am a charter member of the American Legion.

I went out to Versailles the next day and they were signing a peace treaty, and I saw Clemenceau, Foch, andPershing. I had a couple of talks with Marshal Foch, and I also had a talk with him when he pinned a little medal onme.

I think he is a very great man and a man of great intelligence. He is a fine leader for an army and I think Europehad no better leader in command than Marshall Foch.He impressed me very much each time I met him, although he could not speak English. We had to speak through aninterpreter. Like our own Woodrow Wilson, he is a very spiritual man. He is very religious and always goes to

church and believes in prayer, which is a fine example.It is significant that two great leaders and General Pershing, too, are all religious men who believe in prayer. So

the men that led us in the war were put in charge once the war ended. So you see here is proof that the spirit ismightier than the sword. From The Diary of Sgt. York

Sgt. York was present at founding of

American Legion in Paris in 1919

Not only was Sgt. York at the second meeting inParis to form the American Legion, he was acharter member of the Mark Twain AmericanLegion Post 137 in Jamestown and served asits longterm commander. The 137 Post allowedthe SYPF to digitally scan all of the early Post

documents and minute books for archivalpurposes.

George Edward York spoke about the York Institutes restoration project and Sgt. Yorkseducational legacy at the Tennessee American Legion annual conference in Nashville on June 25.

The above photo is of the first caucus in Paris,during which officers met to organize theAmerican Legion in March 1919.


10/12

Sgt. Alvin C. York Veterans Day Celebration

Pall Mall, TennesseeNov. 11, 2010

Welcome Robin Wooten, Park Manager, Alvin C. York State Historic ParkClaudia Johnson, Executive Director, Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation

Invocation Ward Correll, SYPF Board of DirectorsRaising of the Flag James Curtis, American Legion, Mark Twain Post 137, JamestownStar Spangled Banner Noteworthy, York InstitutePledge of Allegiance Betsy Ross York Lowrey, Daughter of Sgt. YorkPresentation of Colors JROTC World War I Color Guard, York InstitutePresentation of TN Flag Tennessee State Sen. Ken YagerRecognition & Honor James Curtis, American Legion, Mark Twain Post 137, JamestownProud to be an American Noteworthy, York InstituteIntroduction of Speaker Col. Gerald York, SYPF Board ChairmanKeynote Speech Rev. George Edward York, Son of Sgt. York; SYPF BoardConclusion Claudia Johnson, Executive Director, Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation21-gun salute Hull-York Disabled American Veterans

Flag Retirement Hull-York Disabled American VeteransTAPS Cheryl Crabtree

Everyone is invited to a Dutch Treat Luncheon at close of services atYork General Store & Visitor Center with proceeds benefitting York Visitor Center.

Following lunch, VIP Tours of Sgt. Yorks home, farm & grist mill will be facil itated by Park staff & York family members.A new book written by Sgt. York about his youth and Christian conversion is being introduced today at the store.

Photos of todays events will be posted at www.tnpix.com. Copies of video & photography available through York General Store.

Mark your calendar for the Veterans Day this year. 11/11/11 at

Approximately 200 visitors attended Veteran's Day ceremonies at Alvin C. York State Historic Park, according to Claudia Johnson, executive director of the Alvin C. York Patriotic Foundation, who

cohosted the event with American Legion, Mark Twain Post 137 from Jamestown and the park. "An estimated half of the crowd were veterans," Johnson explained, adding that each veteran had

the opportunity to state his name and tell about his service before the crowd. "Veterans present represented every military involvement since World War II." "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God

Bless the U.S.A." were performed by the coral group "Noteworthy" from York Institute, with the Presentation of Colors by York Institute's JROTC World WarI Color Guard. A Tennessee flag was presented to the park by Tennessee State Sen. Ken Yager. Sherman Reed, Army Reserve Ambassador for Tennessee

presented a print to the York Foundation depicting a World War I scene that had been on display in the Pentagon on the Sept. 11, 2001, when the building

was attacked by terrorists. The print will hang at York General Store and Visitor Center. The keynote speech was given by Rev. George Edward York, Son of

Sgt. York, who was introduced by his son, Col. Gerald York. The Hull-York Disabled American Veterans performed a 21-gun salute and lead the veterans in

performance of a flag retirement ceremony. Cheryl Crabtree closed the ceremonies with TAPS.

TENNESSEE

STATE PARKSSTATE PARKS

Veterans Day 2010Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Everyone is invited to Pall Mall 11/11/11 at 11 a.m. to celebrate VeteransDay, honor veterans from each war and conflict and have lunch together

at York General Store & Visitor Center. For more information call931-879-3657 or email [email protected]

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York Grist Mill featured in special

exhibit at Cheekwood through Dec. 31

The 1836 York Grist Mill at Pall Mall is among the 19buildings featured in a special exhibit through Dec. 31 at

Cheekwood Arts and Gardens in Nashville. The outdoorexhibition called Trains! Tennessee in G is taking itsvisitors on a trip across the State of Tennessee and exploringits fascinating history through the state's most famous

landmarks. Each building hasbeen intricately handcraftedus ing natural mater ials ,including twigs, bark, leaves,acorns and pebbles.

In addition to the York Millt he exh ib i t dep ic t s suchrecognizable buildings asTennessee Capitol, the RymanAuditorium, Graceland, CadesCove, the Hermitage, ChucalissaIndian Village, Rocky Mountand the Nashvi l le UnionStation.

"We are honored that the

beautiful grist mill at YorkState Park was among those selected," said Claudia Johnson, executive director of theSgt. York Patriotic Foundation, who represented the SYPF and the park at a receptionand VIP tour of the exhibit. "The mill was the only building from the CumberlandPlateau depicted, but the excellent variety of choices really showcases our state'soutstanding architecture and the individuals associated with our most famousstructures."

Johnson said the expansive outdoor exhibit was much larger than she expected.More than 2 ,500 t iny trees , shrubs ,groundcovers and flowering plants in 250varieties create the landscape for the train,complete with a waterfall.

"The other guests and I were amazed tosee the intricacy of detail created just byusing natural items anyone could find in thewoods," Johnson said.

For more information on the exhibit visitwww.cheekwood.org or call (877) 356-8150.
http://www.cheekwood.org/http://www.cheekwood.org/http://www.cheekwood.org/


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Please Join/Renew Your Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation Membership

Recruit: Membership Certificate and the Sergeant York Says

Journal, $25

Private: Membership Certificate, Sergeant York Says and the

book, The Diary of Sgt. York, $50

Corporal: Membership Certificate, Sergeant York Says and

the book,A Sketch of Life as it Was by Sgt. York, $100

Col. G. Edward Buxton: Membership Certificate, Sergeant

York Says, the book, The Diary of Sgt. York, and a York Grist

Mill watercolor print signed by artist Bill Maffett, $250

Sergeant: Certificate, Sergeant York Says, the book, The

Diary of Sgt. York, the book, History of the AEF, and Sgt.

Yorkmovie DVD special double set, $500

Medal of Honor: Membership Certificate, Sergeant York

Says, copy ofSgt. YorkDVD, History of the AEFbook & a

Sgt. York print signed by artist Butch Hodgkins and Sgt. Yorks

children, $1,000

Mail Check to: 1010 Christmas Lane, Cookeville, Tennessee 38501. Include name, address, phone & email.

The SYPF has been awarded the 2011

Cumberland Business JournalOvation Award for

Excellence in Tourism Promotion.

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Sergeant York Says Newsletter (Summer 2011)

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Transcript of Sergeant York Says Newsletter (Summer 2011)