Laurel Gorge was the temporary home for visitors from the past.
Flo Whitley wrote an article for our local paper which is reprinted below.
Historical
Flashbacks in Laurel Gorge
Saturday, March 2, the Laurel Gorge was the venue for glimpses into
the past civilizations of Eastern Kentucky.
Amidst drizzling rain and cool temperatures, reenactors brought to
life past inhabitants of this area from the Paleolithic Indians who lived
under
rock shelters about 5,000 BCE. to later Archaic and Woodland Indian
civilizations.
The most recent group portrayed in our time line was the 1700's Longhunters
of European background who hunted and trapped this area collecting furs
to sell in the Northeast. The reenactments were performed under rock
shelters
along the Laurel Gorge Hiking Trail. .
Vivian Brown of Newfoundland said,. "I grew up here and have
always been proud of my heritage, but these re-enactments gave me a
connection
to the past and made me see the importance of preserving our history.
I'm
excited about the projects we have started here in Elliott County and I
have a renewed commitment to our future."
Mark Eclov, University of Kentucky Ag Communications videographer,
and Dr. Tom Barnes, UK Extension Specialist in Wildlife Biology, were
on
hand to record the event on video and still photography.
The reenactments were a rehearsal for a larger event to be scheduled here later this year.
To see some of the visitors and read about them click on the links below.
E-mail the reenactors
E-mail Nancy
and
Alan