First Hike on Tues., Jan. 1 at 9:00 a.m. CT
Tennessee State Parks are kicking off 2013 with a series of “First Hikes” at each park. Hikes are on either Dec. 31, Jan. 1 or Jan. 2. Join us in welcoming in the New Year. Learn about our First Hike and others.
Notice: The Bunkham Cave is closed indefinitely due to finding White Nose Syndrome in bats in Middle Tennessee. Every effort is being taken to isolate the fungus as much as
possible in order to protect bat populations at other nearby hibernacula,
recognizing that bat-to-bat transmission is still possible.
The Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum is a historic site owned by the State of Tennessee that was created as state park by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly in June 1997. The 58-acre site is located on the Highland Rim, near Byrdstown, north of Cookeville, close to the Kentucky border.
The site includes a representation of Hull's log cabin birthplace and period gardens; the Cordell Hull Museum which displays a variety of photographs and artifacts; and an activities center. The park also includes the Hull Library and Archives that houses the entire Cordell Hull Collection consisting of more than 1,500 books and hundreds of original photographs, documents and three dimensional objects. The collection includes his Nobel Peace Prize, as a replica is on display in the museum.
The park also features the beautiful Bunkum Cave Loop Trail that leads to an overlook and the actual entrance to historic Bunkum Cave where Cordell Hull's father made moonshine in the 19th century.
Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park Management Plan
Events
April 21 - Earth Day Hike
June 1 - National Trails Day Hike
June 1 - July 31 - Jr. Ranger Programs
Sept. 28- National Public Lands Day Hike
Oct. 26 - Halloween in the Park
Dec. 1 - Christmas at the Birthplace
Dec. 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance and Christmas in the Park
For more information call 931-864-3247
Hiking Trail
Bunkum Cave Trail was dedicated June 8, 2006 and was built by Americorps*NCCC, numerous volunteers, and state park staff. The trail is rated moderate due to many gentle hills. The hike to the overlook is 3/4 mile (1.5 miles roundtrip), and the hike to the cave entrance is an additional one-half mile (2.5 miles roundtrip). Meandering through the mixed deciduous forest, the hiker may be able to view a variety of plant and animal life. Spring wildflowers in late March - early May are exceptional. The view of the cave is most impressive, the entrance measures 100 feet wide and 50 feet tall.
Historic Park
Cordell Hull (October 2, 1871-July 23, 1955) was born in a log cabin in Pickett County, Tennessee, the third of the five sons of William and Elizabeth (Riley) Hull. His father was a farmer and subsequently a lumber merchant. The only one of the five boys who showed an interest in learning, Cordell wanted to be a lawyer. He obtained his elementary school training in a one-room school that his father had built in nearby Willow Grove; then for a period of about three years, he attended in succession the Montvale Academy at Celina, Tennessee, the Normal School at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He received a law degree in 1891 after completing a one-year course at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Elected to Congress from the Fourth Tennessee District in 1907, Hull served as a U.S. Representative until 1931. He was elected U.S. Senator for the 1931-37 term but resigned upon his appointment as Secretary of State by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 4, 1933. He was sixty-two. Ill health forced Hull to resign from office on November 27, 1944 before final ratification of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco. President Roosevelt praised Secretary Hull as "the one person in all the world who has done the most to make this great plan for peace an effective fact."
THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Following nomination by Roosevelt, the Norwegian Nobel Committee presented the 1945 Nobel Prize for Peace to Hull in recognition of his work in the Western Hemispheres, for his international trade agreements, and for his efforts in establishing the United Nations.
Picnic
There are 10 picnic tables and 5 grills available at the park site. The picnic area may be reserved for large groups. Reservations are taken up to one week in advance.
Contact the park at 931-864-3247.
Tour Buses
Tour buses are welcome.
