Bays Mountain Park Records, 1926-ongoing

Bays Mountain Park Records

 1926-Ongoing

KM Manuscript Collection 12

INTRODUCTION

Title: BaysMountainPark Records

Collection Number:Kingsport Municipal Manuscript Collection (KMMC) 12

Physical Description: 11.5 linear feet (23 Boxes)

Creator: Various

Repository: Archives of the City ofKingsport

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance: This collection was transferred to the Archives in 1994 and 2000.

Access/Restrictions: There are some restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Processed by: Jeff A. Jenson processed the collection and developed the finding aid in July 2007. Revisions were made by Brianne Johnson in December 2008.

COLLECTION CITATION

This collection should be cited as: Bays Mountain Park Records, 1926-Ongoing. KM Manuscript Collection 12, Archives of the City ofKingsport,Tennessee.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE

According to a section about the park’s history at www.baysmountain.com, the formal history of the park started on “On June 1, 1965, [when] Mayor Hugh Rule appointed a three man committee [sic] to study the feasibility of making Bays Mountain a City Park. Joseph H. Lewis, Dr. Kirk Allen and Karl Goerdel were appointed. The committee’s recommendations were given to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on December 8, 1965. $5,000.00 was approved for prelimiary [sic] work. The Bays Mountain Commission was created by Mayor Joseph H. Lewis on September 5, 1967. It’s [sic] first members were Merritt Shobe, James C. White, Karl Goerdel, Harry V. Steadman, and James H.Thornton.

On November 22, 1967 a consultation fee was paid to the National Audubon Society for advice in setting up the nature preserve. A three man team spent several weeks early in 1968 studying the 1300 acre mountain site.”

The park’s official groundbreaking ceremony was held during April 1970. During the next several months, the park’sNatureInterpretiveBuildingwas constructed. The facility was dedicated on 24 May 1971. Today, the park consists of more than 3500 acres.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

TheBays Mountain Park collection consists of histories, events, maps, reports, correspondence/memoranda, publications, and general administrative materials. The bulk of materials were created during the 1970s and 1980s.

The collection is arranged into thirteen series as follows: Series I: Administrative Files, 1967-1995, Boxes 1- 4; Series II, Bays Mountain Park Association Materials, 1970-1995, Boxes 4-6; Series III, Attendance Records, 1972-1996, Boxes 7-9; Series IV, Bays Mountain Park Commission, 1967-1995, Boxes 9-10; Series V, Correspondence and Memoranda, 1971-1995, Boxes 11-13; Series VI, Employees and Volunteers, 1975-1992, Boxes 13-14; Series VII, Exhibits and Programs, 1971-1987, Box 14; Series VIII, Financial Materials, 1969-1995, Boxes 14-17; Series IX, Historical Information and Park Development, 1926-1986, Boxes 18-20; Series X, Staff Minutes and Reports, 1968-1995, Boxes 21-22; Series XI, Planetarium 1965-1995, Box 23; Series XII, Park Promotion and Pub

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

 

Series I: Administrative Files, 1967-1995, Boxes   1- 4

Series I includes a broad collection of materials that could possibly be organized into a miscellaneous series. This section includes information on the dam’s inspections and modifications, possible oil exploration at the park, a proposed field station, various legal documents, and numerous other papers. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

Series II, Bays Mountain Park Association Materials, 1970-1995, Boxes 4-6

Series II primarily consists of minutes and copies of the Interpreter created by the Bays Mountain Park Association. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

 Series III, Attendance Records, 1972-1996, Boxes 7-9

Series III This series contains information about gate attendance at various programs, the park, and theFarmsteadMuseum. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

 Series IV, Bays Mountain Park Commission, 1967-1995, Boxes 9-10

Series IV contains minutes, correspondence, and history of the board. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

 Series V, Correspondence and Memoranda, 1971-1995, Boxes 11-13

Series V consists of correspondence that is either incoming or outgoing to/from the office of Park Director Tom Bowman. The majority of materials in this series are memoranda. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

 Series VI, Employees and Volunteers, 1975-1992, Boxes 13-14

Series VI contains materials documenting summer workers, park employees, caretakers, and a plaque. Lists of employees are not inclusive for all years. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

 Series VII, Exhibits and Programs, 1971-1987, Box 14

Series VII contains information about park exhibits during the 1970s and early 1980s can be found here. Program information dates from the mid 1970s through the mid 1980s. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

 Series VIII, Financial Materials, 1969-1995, Boxes 14-17

Series VIII consist primarily of annual budgets. In addition, documentation of donations/bequeathments, income statements, and a purchase journal are included. Materials are arranged in chronological order.

 Series IX, Historical Information and Park Development, 1926-1986, Boxes 18-20

Series IX contains a wide-variety of material documenting the park’s evolution. Included are materials about the park’s physical growth, articles about the park’s various departments shortly after opening, planning information, histories are of the park and surrounding area. In addition, photographs of park areas and the park’s ground breaking ceremony are included. Materials are first arranged by alphabetically by subject and then they are arranged in chronological order.

 Series X, Staff Minutes and Reports, 1968-1995, Boxes 21-22

Series X contains minutes that document the activities of park staff and department heads during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Reports are mostly from park directors serving during the 1970s, 1980s, and the early 1990s. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

 Series XI, Planetarium 1965-1995, Box 23

Series XI consists of information about the Amateur Astronomers, bulletins, general information, reviews from schools, and programs. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

 Series XII, Park Promotion and Publicity, 1967-1994, Box 23

Series XII contains newspaper clippings, brochures, and published articles. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

Series XIII, Plant Life and Wildlife, 1971-1994, Box 23

Series XIII contains information about the park’s wildlife and plant life. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order.

licity, 1967-1994, Box 23; Series XIII, Plant Life and Wildlife, 1971-1994, Box 23.

BOX AND FOLDER LIST

 Series I: Administrative Files, 1967-1995, Boxes   1- 4

 BOX 1

 1. Biological Field Station, 1979-1985

2. Board of Mayor and Alderman, action forms, 1980-81

3. Board of Mayor and Alderman, Affirmative Action Program, 1979

4. Board of Mayor and Alderman, Agendas and Minutes, 1976-1977

5. Board of Mayor and Alderman, Agendas, Minutes, and Planning Agendas, May 1983-August 1987

6. Board of Mayor and Alderman, Board of Mayor and Alderman, Personnel Rules and Regulations, 1979

7. Capitol Improvements Program for 1980-1985, 1980-1983

8. Certificates, 1981 and 1991-1993

9. Complaints from visitors, 1970-1976

10. Contracts, Agreements, and Property Relocation concerning the McClure Family, 1973-1974 and 1983

11. Dam, “BaysMountainDam Modifications Engineering Report,” by Hensley-Schmidt Inc., 1987

12. Dam, Bidding and Contracts, 1987-1990

 BOX 2

1. Dam, Correspondence and Contracts, 1982, 1987-1989

2. Dam, “Expression of Interest Consultant Services for Improvements,BaysMountainDam Facilities, 1987

3. Dam, Inspection Reports, 1991-1994

4. Dam, Modifications toBaysMountainDam Construction Report, December 1989

5. Dam, Phase I Inspection Report, 1987

6. Department Inventories, 1970-1977

7. Fire Inspections, 1985-1989

8. Focus Groups Ideas and Brainstorming, 1991-1992

9. Harry V. Steadman Farmstead Museum, 1988-1990

10. Library and Subscriptions, 1970-1988

BOX 3

 1. “Mayors Task Force on Quality of Life,” 1987-1988

2. Memorials, 1987-1988

3. Oil Exploration, Correspondence, Minutes, and Research 1982-1983

4. Oil Exploration, Mobil Oil, March 1981 and Pacific West Exploration Company, January 1982

5. Oil Exploration, Publications and Legislation, 1974-1982

6. Ordinance between City ofKingsportand Kingsport Power Company, 1970

7. Ordinance for Accepting Gift from Eastman Kodak Company, 1969

8. Promulgation and Enforcement of Rules and Regulation, 1993 and undated

9. Road and Park Signs, 1970-1988

10. Roads, Agreements for Use and Closure ofJack Jones Grocery Road, 1971-1981

11. Roads, Indenture, Ordinances, and “Specifications forBaysMountainParkAccessRoadBridge” by Ryckman-Edgerley-Tomilson and Associates, 1967-1969 and 1978-1979

12. Roads, Repairs and “Landslide atBaysMountainPark” by Geologic Associates, Inc., 1975-1978

13. Sonitrol Alarm System, 1992-1994

14. Sullivan County Commissioners, 1982-1985

BOX 4

1. Telescope Agreement between baysMountainParkandMilliganCollege, January 1989 and Free Astronomy Class, 1980

2.TennesseeOccupational Safety and Health (TOSHA), Inspection Reports, 1980 and 1989-1990

3. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Scientific Study Permit, 1980-1981

4. Trail Construction, May 1977

5. United Inter-Mountain Telephone Company, Cable Replacement Plan with Blueprints and Authorization, 1979

6. Waste Management, Sanitary Sewer, 1982-1983 and 1995

7. Waste Management, Wastewater Treatment, 1972-1982

8. Weddings, 1994

Series II, Bays Mountain Park Association Materials, 1970-1995, Boxes 4-6

 9. Activities and Programs, 1979 and 1984-1992

10. By-Laws, 1970-1988

11. Correspondence, 1982-1990

12. Executive Board 1970-1977

13. Friends ofBaysMountain, Minutes and By-laws, 1966-1970

14. The Interpreter, February 1972- December 1974

15. The Interpreter, January 1975- March 1978

16. The Interpreter, January 1979- October 1980

17. The Interpreter, April 1981- December 1982

18. The Interpreter, August 1983-December 1984

19. The Interpreter, January 1985-August 1986

BOX 5

1. The Interpreter, August 1987-April 1988, March 1989-June 1990 and Summer 1991-Spring 1995

2. Members and Membership Information, 1972-1990

3. Michael Robert Eric Dean and Billy Dean vs.BaysMountainParkAsscoaition and City of Kingsport, 1974-1976

4. Minutes, January 1970-June 1978

5. Minutes, September 1982- December 1987

6. Minutes, January 1988-December 1992

7. Minutes, January 1993-January 1995

8. Plaques, 1970-1971 and 1971-1972

 BOX 6

1. Plaques, 1972-1973 and 1973-1974

2. Plaques, 1974-1975 and 1975-1976

3. Plaques, 1977-1978 and 1978-1979

Series III, Attendance Records, 1972-1996, Boxes 7-9

 BOX 7

 1.FarmsteadMuseum, Attendance, 1990-1991

2.FarmsteadMuseum, Attendance, 1992

3.FarmsteadMuseum, Attendance, 1993

4.FarmsteadMuseum, Attendance, 1994

BOX 8

 1.FarmsteadMuseum, Attendance, 1995

2.FarmsteadMuseum, Attendance, 1996

3. Gate and Programs, January 1977-June 1980

4. Gate and Programs, July 1983-December 1984

5. Gate and Programs, January 1985- December 1987

BOX 9

1. Gate and Programs, 1988-June 1992

2. Gate and Programs, July 1994-June 1995

3. NortheastTennesseeTrims Association andKingsportConvention and Visitors Bureau, Visitor Reports, 1995-1995

4. Public and School, 1979-1995

5. Visitors to Park and Planetarium from Area Schools, 1972-1976

Series IV, Bays Mountain Park Commission, 1967-1995, Boxes 9-10

 6. Development of the Commission and Park, 1967-1980

7. Eve Files, 1980-1983

8. Golden Eagle Trail- WWW184, undated

9. Member Terms in Office, Correspondence, 1979-1993

10. Minutes, January 1975-November 1977

11. Minutes, January 1978-November 1979

BOX 10

 1. Minutes, 1980-December 1981

2. Minutes, January 1982-November 1984

3. Minutes, January 1985-May 1986 and March-November 1988

4. Minutes, January 1989-November 1990

5. Minutes, January 1991-November 1992

6. Minutes, January 1993-November 1994 and November 1995

7. Park Property Appraisal Reports, February 1968

8. Park Commission History, undated

9. Report, “BaysMountainRegionalParkleadership for the 80’s,” by Paul E. Knoop, Jr. and Jay B. Reed, January 1980

10. Road Use Agreements, 1977-1978

11.  Scott, H. Andrew, Correspondence, 1976- 1977

Series V, Correspondence and Memoranda, 1971-1995, Boxes 11-13

 BOX 11

 1. Bowman, Tom, Incoming, 1979 and 1984-1985

2. Bowman, Tom, Incoming, 1985-1988

3. Bowman, Tom, Incoming, 1989

4. Bowman, Tom, Outgoing, 1983-1986

5. Bowman, Tom, Outgoing, 1987-1993 and May 1995

6. Gross, Jack, 1971-1972 and 1977

7. Memos from City, 1975-1977

 BOX 12

 1. Memos from City, 1983-1984

2. Memos from City, 1985-1986

3. Memos from City, 1987-1988

4. Memos to City, 1976-1977 and 1979-1980

5. Memos to City, 1982-1986

 BOX 13

1. Memos to City, 1987-1988

2. Memos to City, 1991-1994

3. Memos from Park Staff, 1993-1995

4. Memos to Park Staff, 1976-1979

5. Memos to Park Staff, 1982-1986

6. Memos to Park Staff, 1987-1995

7. Volunteer Coordinator with Various Schools, 1975-1977

Series VI, Employees and Volunteers, 1975-1992, Boxes 13-14

 8. Caretakers for McClure Farm, 1975 and 1977

9. Personnel Rosters, March 1973, June 1979, and December 1983

10. Plaque, Employees to Park Staff from Park Commission, April 8, 1987

11. Summer Youth Program, 1975-1977 (RESTRICTED)

12. Summer Youth Program, 1985 and 1989-1992

Series VII, Exhibits and Programs, 1971-1987, Box 14

 BOX 14

 1. Exhibits, Loan Contract and Donations, 1973-1974 and 1981-1983

2. Exhibits,  NASA, 1971-1982

3. Exhibits, Planning for Exhibits, December 8, 1970 and 1973

4. Programs, Eco-Theater Script, 1976

5. Programs, Fun Fest, 1983-1985 and “What is it?” 1983-1985

6. Programs, “More than a Park,” undated

7. Programs, Natural Science Series, early 1980s

8. Programs, School Schedules, 1974-1977 and 1987

Series VIII, Financial Materials, 1969-1995, Boxes 14-17

 9. Building Furnishings, Approximate Costs, 1969

10. Bequeathment and Donations, 1970 and undated

11. Bond for Park Development, 1970

12. Budget, Operating, 1970-1971

13. Budget, Operating, July 1971-June 1972

14. Budget, Operating, July 1972-June 1973

15. Budget, Operating, July 1972-June 1974

16. Budget, Operating, July 1974-June 1975

17. Budget, Operating, June 1975-June 1976

BOX 15

 1. Budget, Operating, July 1975-June 1976

2. Budget, Operating, July 1976-June 1977

3. Budget, Operating, July 1977-June 1978

4. Budget Materials and Salary Information, 1977-1978

5. Contributions on Memory of Dr. Hugh Rule, 1977-1978

6. Budget Printouts, July 1978-June 1979

7. Budget Printouts, July 1979-May 1980

 BOX 16

1. Budget Work Sheets and Related Documents, 1980-1981

2. Budget Materials, 1980-1982

3. Budget Materials, 1981-1982

4. Budget Materials, 1982-1983

5. Budget Printouts and Related Documents, 1983-1984

6. Budget Materials, 1984-1985

7. Budget Materials, 1985-1986

8. Budget, Operating, July 1985-June 1986

BOX 17

 1. Budget Printouts, 1986-1987

2. Budget Materials, 1978-1979

3.  Budget Materials, 1986-1987

4. Budget, Operating, July 1986-June 1987

5. Revenue and Expense Balance Sheets, July 1986-June 1989

6. Budget Printouts, May 1987-March 1988

7. Budget Materials, 1989-1990

8. Purchase Journal, 1990-1992

9. Income Statements and Balance Sheets, July 1990-June 1994

10. Budget Materials, 1994-1995

Series IX, Historical Information and Park Development, 1926-1986, Boxes 18-20

 BOX 18

 1. “Land Exchange with Holston Army Ammunitions Plat and other possible related Land Transfers,” 1926, 1951, and 1968-1981

2. Ordinances, Agreements, and Deeds, 1927-1973

3. Land Acquisitions, 1965-1977

4. Master Plan, 1967-1975

5. Park Planning and Development, 1967-1972

6. Reports and Recommendations, 1967-1972

7. Articles about the Park and Departments, c.1970

 BOX 19

 1. Buildings and Facilities, 1970-1973

2. Reports and Correspondence, 1970-1983

3. Files of Director Ted V. McCown, 1971

4. General Materials, 1971-1989

5. Master Plan, 1971-1977

6. Natural Areas Preservation Act, 1971 and 1984

7. Trail Mileage, 1972

8. Cherry Knob Expansion, December 18, 1975

9.LowerLandExpansion, 1976-1978

10.ParkPlanning, 1979-1986

11. “Past, Present, and Future,” 1983

BOX 20

 1. Goals and Objectives, 1983-1986

2. Laurel Run, 1984-1986

3. Origins of the Name Bays Mountain, 1970-1971 and “The Butterfly Community,” by Jimmy Jones (history of the Reservoir Road Area), undated

4. Early Data on Bays Mountain Park, 1969-1973

5. Ground Breaking Ceremony Presentation, April, 1970 and Nature Interpretative Building Dedication, Brochures, May 24, 1971

6. Ordinance Setting up Bays Mountain Nature Preserve, 1971 and undated

7. Photographs, Ground Breaking Ceremony forBaysMountainPark, April 1970

8. Photographs, Nature Interpretive Building, April 14, 1971

9. Negatives, Nature Interpretive Building, April 14, 1971

10. Photographs, Park Grounds During Winter and Miscellaneous, late 1960s and early 1970s

11. Photographs and Postcards, 1960s and undated

12. Plaque, In Recognition of Thomas M. Divine, June 1979

13. Various Historical Narratives used for Recommendations, 1971-1980

14. Twentieth Anniversary, May 1991

Series X, Staff Minutes and Reports, 1968-1995, Boxes 21-22

 BOX 21

 1. Minutes, Park Staff Development Heads, 1992-1993

2. Minutes, Park Staff, 1988-1991

3. Minutes, Park Staff, 1992-1995

4. Reports, ARC Grant, Contract Information and Press Releases, 1973-1974

5. Reports, ARC Grant, Quarterly Reports, 1973-1974

6. Reports, ARC Grant, Final Report, 1974

7. Reports,  ARC Grant, Final Report and Addendum, 1975

8. Reports,  ARC Grant, Quarterly Reports, 1975-1976

9. Reports, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, Application and Reports, 1968-1973

10. Reports, Long Range Planning, undated

BOX 22

 1. Reports, Park Director, July 1970-March 1971

2. Reports, Park Director, 1979-June 1982

3. Reports, Park Director, 1983-1985

4. Reports, Park Director, 1986-1988

5. Reports, Park Director, 1989-May 1992

6. Reports, Senior Naturalist, November 1992-June 1995

7. Reports, Water Treatment, 1976-1978

Series XI, Planetarium 1965-1995, Box 23

 BOX 23

 1. Amateur Astronomers, 1986-1995

2. Appalachian Regional Planetarium Conference, November 22, 1975

3. Contract Agreement, Planning Documents, 1969-1972

4. Evaluations from Kingsport City Schools, 1975-1976

5. General Information, 1972-1991

6. Laser Light Shows and Equipment, 1983-1991

7. Program Bulletins, 1972-1994

Series XII, Park Promotion and Publicity, 1967-1994, Box 23

8. Brochures and Related Materials, 1971-1991

9. Trail Guides, undated

10. News Clippings, 1967-1990

11. News Releases and Related Material, 1980-1994

12. Published Articles, undated

Series XIII, Plant Life and Wildlife, 1971-1994, Box 23

 13. Plant Life, Ferns, Trees, Common Wildflowers, Wildflowers, and “A Look at Dr. Bays Medicinal Plants,” 1971 and undated

14. Wildlife, Amphibians, Birds, Butterflies, Insects, Mammals, Reptiles, and “Facts about Snakes,” 1971 and undated

15. Deer, c.1971

16. Dragonflies, and Published Articles, 1984-1985 and undated

17. Eagles,Turkeys, and Geese. 1971-1973 and 1992

18. Osprey, July 1983-1986

19. Otter Habitat, 1986-1989

20. Photographs of Animal Exhibit Areas, 1974

21. Waterfowl Aviary, Construction, 1988-1993

22. Wildlife, Wolves, 1992-1994