History of the project
August- At an Alliance for Progress Meeting in Campton, KY,
Richard, recalling a conversation with Pete, suggests that Campton needs
something “to put it on the map.” David recommends the sculpture of a
giant instrument that the Wolfe County Arts Association had proposed
several years before. Richard asks for a written proposal to be
presented at the next meeting.
October- At the next Alliance for Progress Meeting David
presents a proposal called the “Eastern Kentucky Heritage Monument.” It
consists of three very large, steel, stylized, traditional instruments-
a guitar, fiddle, and banjo- that also function as wind harps. On the
floor of viewing platform, where the instruments rest, would be the
names of Eastern Kentucky artists, musicians, authors and other citizens
of importance, both locally and nationally. The idea is enthusiastically
embraced and endorsed by the Wolfe Countians.
November- The Wolfe County Monument Advisory Board is formed
to help David develop and elaborate the proposal. Pete, Richard, Bill,
Sister Amy, Doc, Glenn, Mike, Robert, Larrey, Allen and David quickly
realize that the Monument is not about Campton but truly about all of
Eastern Kentucky. Wolfe County would simply be the host. After numerous
meetings and eighteen revisions over a period of several months, the
proposal is complete. A long-range plan is devised.
December- The Appalachian Heritage Alliance agrees to sponsor
the project. The AHA supplies office space, printing, postage,
organizational support as well as allowing their Educational Director
(David) to devote time to promoting the Project for several months.
2002
January- Sam McKinney signs on as Lead Artist. Sam is one of
Kentucky’s foremost artists. With Sam onboard, the artistic integrity of
the Project is assured.
February- The problem of artistically and structurally bracing
the instruments is solved by the concept of the spiral, double helix
banding. This would also allow space to artistically incorporate icons
to depict the history of the region.
May- The proposal is presented to the Mountain Parkway Trails
Corridor. It is enthusiastically endorsed. The Mt. Parkway, at this
time, consisted of eleven counties. It is a division of Southern and
Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association. This Corridor Team has
become the driving force behind the Project. Van Back, Community
Development Coordinator for SEKTDA, provides the first of his helpful,
professional and valuable resource information vital to the Project.
June- The Project is endorsed by KY River Resource and
Conservation District (RCD.) RCD initiates a planning and feasibility
study. Chairman Jim Lacy convinces the board that the proposed location
at the Parkway- Rt.15 split is the best location to serve all of Eastern
Kentucky. This prevents future turf battles and consolidates regional
support.
July- Jim gives Sheila Seppi, Executive Director of SEKTDA, a
copy of the proposal.
September- Copy of Proposal with a request for support sent to
all eleven Judge Executives in the Mt. Parkway Corridor region. Corridor
team members gather letters of support from dozens of local civic
organizations and governmental agencies in their respective communities.
Support is overwhelmingly positive.
October- Sheila expresses support. She suggests the Corridor,
in collaboration with the RCD, submit a proposal for funding an Economic
Impact- Feasibility Study. The Corridor does this. The original Wolfe
County Monument Advisory Board, finding a strong ally in the Corridor,
updates its Action Plan.
November- SEKTDA Board approves $24,000 for Economic Impact-
Feasibility Study.
December- Van and David write, and SEKTDA submits, a Special
Request for Congressional Funding for $6 million. Unfortunately, we did
not get it.
2003
February- Signed letters of support received from all eleven
Judge Executives (plus several former Judge Executives) in the Corridor
region.
Spring and Summer- Continued gathering of public support.
Presentations to civic organizations.
October- The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway receives National
Scenic Byway designation. The quite capable and enthusiastic chairman of
the Mt. Parkway Trails Corridor, Jeff Crowe, takes the SEKTDA position
as KY National Scenic Byway Director. Our Monument is located within the
boundary limits of this National Scenic Byway.
November- Concept of the Monument as the “International Logo
for Eastern Kentucky” is introduced.
December- Dr. Henry Gurr, Professor Emeritus of Physics,
University of South Carolina-Aiken agrees to join the Monument Project
as a consultant. Professor Gurr is a nationally recognized authority on
Aeolian harps.
2004
February- The Appalachian Heritage Alliance agrees to act as
fiscal agent for the Monument until a separate non-profit 501(c)3 status
is attained.
April- The
Economic Impact- Feasibility Study is complete and returned to SEKTDA
and the Mt. Parkway Trails Corridor. The findings are spectacular in all
aspects. If a prospective “regular” business had produced these numbers,
the state would have handed them a check on the spot. However, even
though the economic development benefits and job creation numbers were
stunningly impressive, our Project does not fit the normal requirements
necessary for Economic Development assistance.
May- Monument presentation made to the SEKTDA Board.
June- Eastern Kentucky Heritage Monument Project listed on
KRADD Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
July- Tom proclaims that, “The Monument is one Economic
Development Project that is NOT going to move to Mexico.”
August- 1) Regional “Visioning Meeting” at Natural Bridge
State Park with Sheila Seppi, Executive Director of SEKTDA. Sheila says
that SEKTDA, with its considerable resources and expertise, is firmly
behind the Monument Project. She stresses the importance of local
control and says the region will have to do its part. 2) Sam completes his cool graphics. These are an important visual
aid for Monument presentations.
September- 1) Cheryl Truman article appears in Lexington
Herald Leader. CBS office reads it and has affiliate station in Hazard
come to Wolfe County to do a news story. Kentucky Educational Television
calls and is interested in doing a documentary when construction begins.
Newspaper articles in Three Forks Tradition, Clay City Times and the
Irvine paper. 2) Appalachian Heritage Alliance web site with link to the
Monument page goes on-line at
www.AppalachianHeritageAlliance.org.
3) Faye King announces that when the estate is settled, the Monument
will have an option on the land.
November- 1) KRADD meeting with Congressman Hal Rogers.
Congressman Rogers says the Monument is a good, visionary project and
that “he will do whatever he can to support it.” He then adds the
caveat, “But you all will have to do your part.” 2) The $20,000 Marketing Study for the Mt. Parkway Trails
Corridor is completed. The study suggests building a Magnet Attraction
for the area and specifically states that the Eastern Kentucky Heritage
Monument should be it. Monument sited as a Magnet Attraction that would
change the economic landscape of eastern Kentucky.
December- 1) By Laws and Articles of Incorporation developed.
2) Over $3,000 is raised locally to help cover cost of printing, postage
and other incidentals.
2005
February- Discussions with metal fabricators lead to improved
design of instruments.
March- First meeting with John Carman and Associates,
Architects, about Site Study, Architectural Renderings and Flash
Presentation.
April-1) First
meeting with the Development people at Berea College. Received
encouragement, promise of sustained help, much information. 2) EKHM now
a legal entity. Officers elected.
May- Met
architect Ron Konzak near Seattle, Washington. Ron is the builder of the
current “world’s largest wind harp.” He agrees to act as
consultant.
July- Site Study
($15,000) is completed. Architectural Renderings and Flash Program
($5,000) is complete.
August- Sam McKinney’s model of the Monument is complete.
PowerPoint Presentation complete.
September- Model displayed in Wolfe County.
October- Model displayed in Lee County. Front page article in
Lexington Herald Leader. Article in M-Magazine. Radio interview on WEKY
and WMKY.
November- Model on display at SEKTDA Caucus in Somerset and in
Powell County.
December- “Visioning and Strategy” Meeting with local Judge
Executives (ten counties represented,) Senator Stivers, Representative
Edmonds, and interested people. ARC Flex-E-Grant comes through.
2006
February- Meeting in Frankfort with Sen. Stivers and Shawn
Dyer from Governor’s Office. Strategic Plan with Professor Garkavitch.
March- Meeting with Shawn Dyer. Took more requested
information to Sen. Stivers. Received 501(c)3 non-profit designation.
Board development. Vicki Kidd, director of SEKTDA, turns in a special
congressional request for Monument funding.
April- Brochures
completed. Did not receive developmental funds from the state.
May- Model on display in Salyersville at the new Renaissance
Building. Good response. Newspaper article.
June- Lee County Fiscal Court pledges $10,000 for purchase of
land if other counties contribute.
July-
Model on display at UK Technology Center in Morgan County.
August-
Wolfe County Industrial Board pledges $20,000 towards purchase of land.
2007
January- Model moved to Action Center in
Booneville, Owsley County.
February- Heritage Monument supporters go to
Frankfort three times during the legislative session to talk about the
project.
March- Presentation with model given to
owners of Whitaker Bank. Model remains on display in Whitaker Bank in
Campton. Owners of one of the three pieces needed for the Monument agree
to sell for $185K. They have put $110K of bulldozing work into the
property to level five acres. This would be suitable for the parking lot
and Information-Celebration Center.
April- State announces intention to widen
the Mt. Parkway at the junction of Rt. 15, to include an eastbound
on-ramp. This will impact our location. Meeting with the Transportation
Dept. in Jackson to develop a win-win situation. Meeting with
Transportation Dept. and road contractors in Campton. Model on display
in Farmers and Traders Bank in Campton. Bank President, William May,
invites Director of KY Economic Development to see model. Commerce
Secretary, George Ward, begins to take an interest in the project.
May- Wolfe County Industrial Board increases
their pledge for land purchase to $85K. Wolfe County Fiscal Court
pledges $125K of Economic Development funds for land purchase contingent
that all three parcels needed for the project can be purchased. Owners
of one of the parcels involved with multiple heir ownership renege on
long-standing verbal agreement to sell at the appraised price, renege on
second verbal agreement made with executor, and decide to sell the land
at public auction. Word received of continued support and effort by the
office of Congressman Hal Rogers.
June- The “heirship” parcel sells at auction
for $150K to Bob Shouse and Tim Miller who own the adjacent parcel of
land. Bob and Tim want the Monument to succeed. They agree to sell the
piece for what they paid. A representative from Congressman Rogers’
office calls, and Commerce Sec. Ward emails, to learn of the auction
outcome.
July- Secretary of Commerce, George Ward,
endorses Heritage Monument. KY Representative Ted Edmonds endorses
Monument. The company that did the Economic Impact / Feasibility Study
tell us that if the Mt. Parkway is four-laned, the numbers in their
report would increase. Land Purchase Fund Drive begun.
August- We receive word that the “Special
Congressional Request” for $13.2 million passed the US House of
Representatives but not the US Senate. Our artist, Sam McKinney, is
invited to present at the Botkin's International Sculpture Festival; “the
one poster that stole the show was the Heritage Monument. You wouldn't
believe the people's curiosity and the most asked question was, When is
it to be finished, because we want to come and see it.”
October- David and Janine take informational
packets to Washington DC and talk to the people in Senator McConnell’s
and Congressman Rogers’ office.
2008
January- Judge Executive Raymond Hurst and David attended a
meeting in Frankfort with Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo to discuss how
the Heritage Monument is crucial to the success of the Adventure Tourism
Project. David and Sam are interviewed on Morehead State Public Radio
Station show “The Frontpage.” Sound bites from interview are carried on
the UK and Eastern KY Public Radio stations.
Summer and Fall- Although there were
optimistic times when major initiatives could have worked out, they
didn't. This has been a rough stretch. The widening of the Mt. Parkway
has begun which will heavily impact the proposed site. This could be a
good thing or ruin the project at this site. Time will tell. The
economic collapse means help at the Federal and State levels will not be
soon forthcoming.
We continue to receive assurances from the Federal and State that they remain firmly behind the project. But money is still the issue and both are struggling with the current economic situation. A couple of long shots could pay off to our benefit - but there is, of course, an intrinsic problem with long shots. The head engineer in charge of the Mt. Parkway widening project assures us that the excavation they are doing is being done with the Heritage Monument in mind. He assures us that what they are doing will save the Monument a tremendous amount of money in future landscaping costs. Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo submitted the Heritage Monument as a "shovel ready" project for consideration under federal economic stimulus funds.
2010
The economy has not yet revived. Another Eastern Kentucky county was very interested in putting the Heritage Monument in their community. The Executive Board chose to give fundraising for the preferred site another chance - which proved unsuccessful - and the window of opportunity closed for the other site. The Executive Board, due to the long-range forecast for economic recovery, decided that it was unreasonable to keep the donations for the land purchase. Individuals were offered a return of their contributions. Approximately $230,000 in pledges by government agencies and individuals was not collected because the total price for the land purchase could not be reached. The road improvement of the Mt. Parkway at the preferred location has actually made the site more favorable for the project. The Eastern Kentucky Heritage Monument Project has not been abandoned. The Board continues to work on the project and will renew fundraising efforts when the economy rebounds. The Heritage Monument will be a Magnet Attraction and economic engine for the entire region.