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Appalachian Triangle. All right reserved.
The communities in the Appalachian Triangle have played pivotal roles in the history of the nation and these same communities have found creative and immersive ways to tell those stories to visitors. Here are places in the Appalachian Triangle where you can time travel back in history.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
The Cumberland Gap was the first gateway to the west. The path was used by bison, Native Americans, hunters, and pioneers as a connection from the east coast to the west. Today, Cumberland Gap still welcomes visitors who come to learn about the important passage, settlers like Daniel Boone who traveled through it, its role in the American Civil War, and how the early mountaineers lived on the land. Visit the museum and Welcome Center. Hike to a cave. Stand in three states at once. Visit a preserved mountain settlement. Step back to the earliest days of America.
https://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm
The Clay We Were Museum
The museum’s mission is to share information about the Clay County area but the impact of Clay County’s history reaches beyond the boundaries of the county. Salt was an invaluable commodity in the early history of the US because it was necessary for food preservation. The saltworks in Clay County became a flashpoint in the Civil War with both sides battling for control of the saltworks. The Clay We Were Museum walks visitors through this history in addition to other events that have shaped the area.
https://www.clayfamilies.org/history/the-clay-we-were-museum/
Civil War Interpretive Park
Barbourville was the site of the first Civil War battle in Kentucky where both the Union and Confederacy suffered losses. The story of the battle is told today through an interpretive park downtown. Informational kiosks, artifacts, and murals work together to give visitors a glimpse into the American Civil War as it raged in Kentucky.
https://barbourvilletourism.com/civil-war-interpretive-park/
Portal 31 Underground Mine Tour
Portal 31 was once filled with miners and machinery sourcing the coal needed to power the nation. Today, visitors ride rail cars into Portal 31 where animated exhibits tell the story of mining, miners, and their families. Just outside of the mine, guests can explore mine equipment and view a monument to UMWA President John L. Lewis. As Kentucky’s only underground mine exhibit, Portal 31 is an opportunity like no other!
The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum
This museum in Rockcastle County honors the best of Kentucky’s music through the decades. Alongside these Hall of Famers, you’ll find artifacts and exhibits highlighting the history of Kentucky music as well as memorabilia from some of your favorite artists.
https://kentuckymusichalloffame.com/
Sanders Cafe & Museum
How did one of the most famous restaurants go from a man with a recipe to a worldwide chicken craze? Get your fill of classic KFC before browsing through the recently refurbished museum chronically the life of Colonel Sanders and the rise of his chicken empire! Don’t miss this piece of entrepreneurial history. While the recipe is a secret, the success is not!
The creative and authentic ways the Appalachian Triangle tells the stories from its history are contributing to the vibrant visitor experience we offer today!
