Winter 2010-11 Issue a publication of the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation

Before

During

VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

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SYPF 2011 Goals1. Increase membership in SYPF2. Raise funds for restoration and adaptive reuse of York Institute as a multiuse

educational facility3. Increase York home/farm visitation and develop/host exhibits4. Host youth and adult educational, historic, military and arts events for students,

veterans and public5. Publish out-of-print WWI books and York archival materials6. Develop virtual tours on Web of Sgt. York home for educators worldwide7. Increase pledges and donations from individuals and organizations for

operations and initiatives8. Increase pursuit of grants, both foundation and governmental

SYPF 2010 Accomplishments1. Completed $1 million stabilization and remediation of the original 1920s York Institute, now ready for adaptive reuse as educational multipurpose facility with major support from The Willard and Ruth Johnson Foundation, Ward Correll, Next Generation Underwriters, the Tennessee Historical Commission, John Nolan, The Kentucky Christian Foundation and many other contributors.2. Implemented Tennessee Trailblazer's Tour connecting Cordell Hull and Alvin C. York State Parks, providing interpretive audiovisual aides, signage and displays for each site using $50,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.3. Began digitization/archiving of York’s papers and audio recordings with a grant from Next Generation Underwriters.4. Cosponsored with Eagle Scout Benjamin Johnson restoration and enhancements of York Nature Trail; produced guide brochure.5. Enhanced York General Store Visitor Center with new video orientation

equipment, redesigned use of display and exhibit space and launched a store blog at www.yorkgeneralstore.blogspot.com.

6. Designed, printed and distributed 15,000 brochures to promote free daily tours and York General Store Visitor Center.

7. Upgraded WWI and York-related merchandise in York General Store Visitor Center.

8. Published “A Sketch of Life as it Was” written by Sgt. York.9. Designed, printed and distributed 1,000 brochures promoting restoration of York

Institute.10. Worked with Tennessee Department of Transportation to achieve placement of

Interstate 40 signs at Highway 127 directing traffic to York State Park.11. Selected for participation in “This Place Matters” with National Trust for

Historic Preservation to nationally promote restoration of historic York Institute.12. Underwent voluntary, comprehensive audit by independent auditor.13. Selected as host for the Smithsonian’s Museums on Mainstreet traveling exhibit

“How We Worked” April 28- June 2, 2012, at Progressive Savings Bank in Jamestown, Tenn.

14. Completed profile for Guidestar for review by potential members and donors accessible at http://givingmatters.guidestar.org/NonprofitProfile.aspx?OrgId=1064405

Mission StatementFounded in 1993, the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation (SYPF) is a nonprofit corporation funded by voluntary contributions and grants. It serves to continue historical research, preserve the Sgt. Alvin C. York homeplace, farm, Bible School and artifacts, develop and coordinate educational opportunities for youth and adults, increase sustainable heritage tourism to Sgt. York State Park and restore the 1920s-era York Institute building.

With a motto of “Legacy in Action,”

Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation (SYPF) is preserving and promoting the legacy of America’s

greatest WWI hero, Alvin C. York. The Foundation enjoys a productive working relationship

with the management and staff of Sgt. York State Historic Park and the heirs of Sgt.York.

With the Centennial of World War I imminent, the SYPF is perfectly positioned to remind new generations of the

impact and importance of the War to End All Wars.

2011 Partnerships or Memberships

Sgt. York State Historic ParkCordell Hull Birthplace State Park

Tennessee Humanities CouncilTennessee Arts Commission

Upper Cumberland Development DistrictFentress County Chamber of Commerce (member)

Crossville Chamber of Commerce (member)Cookeville Chamber of Commerce (member)

Pickett Chamber of Commerce (member)Upper Cumberland Tourism Association (member)

Alliance for the Cumberlands (member)National Trust for Historic Preservation (member)

Tennessee Preservation Trust (member)Tennessee Association of Museums (member)

Friends of Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park (member)Friends of Tennessee State Parks (member)

Tennesseans for the Arts (member)Tennessee Historical Commission

MTSU Center for Historic Preservation

VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

Fellowship and Food

Music at York General Store

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SYPF Membership Benefits for 2011 – Please renew or join today

P r i v a t e : M e m b e r s h i p Certificate, “Sergeant York Says”, set of 12 pen&ink notecards depicting scenes associated with Sgt. York’s life or T-shirt (styles may vary), $50

Sergean t : Ce r t ifica te , “Sergeant York Says ,” History of the AEF book and Sgt. York DVD, $500

MEMBERSHIP RENEWABLE SGT. ALVIN C YORK

1 December 2011

This certifies that

Claudia Johnsonis a member of the

Sergeant York Patriotic FoundationFounded in 1993 as a nonprofit corporation funded by voluntary contributions,

the Foundation serves to continue historical research,to preserve the Sgt. York home place, farm and artifacts,

to restore historic York Institute, to improve education andto perpetuate the legacy of the greatest hero of World War I.

R e c r u i t : M e m b e r s h i p C e r t i fi c a t e a n d t h e “ S e r g e a n t Yo r k S ay s ” Journal, $25

Col. G. Edward Buxton: Membership Certificate, “Sergeant York Says,” set of 12 pen&ink notecards and a York Grist Mill watercolor print signed by artist Bill Maffett, $250

To join, renew or give the gift of membership please send a check to SYPF, 1010 Christmas Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501 & include name, shipping address, telephone, email & desired membership level. For information visit www.sgtyork.org or call Executive Director Claudia J o h n s o n a t 9 3 1 . 3 4 7 . 2 6 6 4 o r e m a i l sypfdirector@gmail.com. For information about purchasing these items, visit www.yorkgeneralstore.blogspot.com or call 931.879.3657.

A Sketch of Life as it Was by Sgt. Alvin C. York This 28-page book includes more than two dozen original photographs and the original manuscript written by Sgt. York about his childhood, youth, family and religious conversion. A keepsake, it is printed in black & white on gloss paper. During 2011 this beautiful book is a free gift with a Corporal membership and may be substituted as your gift for membership levels above Corporal upon request.

Corporal : Membership Certificate, “Sergeant York Says” and the book, A Sketch of Life as it Was by Sgt. York, $100

Included in A Sketch of Life as it Was is a history of Sgt. York’s struggle to build York Institute in the 1920s and keep i t open by Dr. Michae l Birdwell.

M e d a l o f H o n o r : Membership Certificate, “Sergeant York Says,” copy of Sgt. York DVD, History of the AEF book & a Sgt. York print signed by artist Butch Hodgkins and Sgt. York’s children, $1,000

Bridge viewed from Grist Mill

3VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

HELP SAVE SGT. YORK’S

HISTORIC SCHOOLAll donations are appreciated

100% of donations used for rehabilitationwww.sgtyork.org or 931.347.2664

Donate today!

York Institute as it appeared in its early days

York Institute during period of

neglect, 1979-2008

Tax

Deductible

York Institute after remediation and

stabilization, 2010, ready for

preservation and adaptive reuse

National Register of

Historic Places

Sgt.

York Patriotic

Foundation

Project

Adaptive Reuse Planned for Historic York Institute

A major project of the SYPF is the preservation of York Institute, built by Sgt. York and acquired by the SYPF in 2008. Remediation and stabilization was achieved in 2009 with funds raised from grants and private donors. The Foundation requires an additional $100,000 to complete payments for this work. Tax-deductible donations earmarked for this project are requested. An additional $5-6 million will be necessary for restoration and adaptive reuse as a multipurpose educational facility. The restored original York Institute building will be a center for teaching and research, as well as a venue for showcasing culture, the arts and history. Collaborative partnerships with colleges, technology centers and arts, history and cultural organizations will carry forth the legacy of Sgt. York. In 2010 the SYPF’s goals for this project will include raising of money to pay off debts associated with remediation and stabilization of historic building, development of a comprehensive long-range adaptive reuse plan and finalization and implementation of a fundraising plan. When completed the building will make WWI and York research materials available to scholars; deliver higher/advanced educational opportunities to all age groups in an economically disadvantaged region; expose arts, sciences, lectures, exhibits, history and culture to local/regional population; and become a destination for Veterans, academics and historians. Donations may be mailed to 1010 Christmas Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501 % SYPF Executive Director Claudia Johnson.

Guitar Picks Depict York ScenesCreated exclusively for York General Store & Visitor

Center this high quality set of five guitar picks depict scenes from Sgt. York’s story: grave, home, mill, patch and military photograph. The boxed set is suitable for framing or for using to play an instrument.

$9.99

+ tax

Sgt. York 12” Limited Edition Action Figure

York General Store & Visitor Center is the first stop for

visitors to Pall Mall & Sgt. York State Park

offering afree orientation film, tourist

information, deli, snacks, Sgt. York gifts, books, prints,

postcards, T-shirts, collectibles and more.

All proceeds benefit the SYPF & York Visitor Center.

Any store item may be ordered for mail delivery

by calling 931-879-3657 or email

yorkgeneralstore@gmail.com. $19.99+tax&s/h

Through Dec. 15, 2010Regularly $29.95

This excerpt was clipped from the original manuscript of a radio speech presented live from Chicago, Ill., in 1941 and remains relevant in todayʼs world.

Sgt. York Patriotic FoundationP.O. Box 100Pall Mall, TN 38577

Upcoming Free Events

Christmas in the ValleyDec. 11, 2010

Sgt. York Memorial Black Powder ShootMarch 25-26, 2011

Call York General Store for Details931-879-3657

The Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation needs your help in

carrying out our mission and accomplishing our goals in

2011 and beyond. Please join, pledge, donate or volunteer.

Alvin C. York during WWI at Camp Gordon with his friend, Pvt. Carl F. Swanson

Alvin C. York’s Draft Registration Card

York was an admirer of fellow Tennessean Cordell Hull, America’s longest-serving Secretary of State, who held the position for 11 years (1933–1944) in the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during much of World War II. Hull received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945 for his role in establishing the United Nations and was referred to by Roosevelt as “the Father of the United Nations.” The Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park is in nearby Pickett County and includes a replica of Hull’s log cabin birthplace, his museum and archives, and historic Bunkum Cave.

Sgt. York (seated) during "Tennessee Americans" radio broadcast from York Institute during WWII

TENNESSEE

STATE PARKS STATE PARKS

Alvin C. York State Historic Park

WWI Congressional Medal of Honor winner York with WWII Medal of Honor Winners

Sgt. York served as Fentress County Draft Board Director during WWII

York wanted to re-enlist for WWII service, but his efforts were best utilized on the home front

George Edward York at Camp Forrest during WWII with his father, Sgt. York

Sgt. York and wife Gracie (third from left) fundraising for the Red Cross

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York  State  Park  invites  you  to  experience  the  world  of  Sgt.  Alvin  C.  York.  Open  year-­round.