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We are delighted that Jacob Hornick has agreed to be the auctioneer once again for our famous Pie Auction at the Kump Education Center Garden Party this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
This free event is the beginning of our centennial at a glorious time of year when flowers are in bloom and botanical beauty inspires works of art.
Jeff Barger and Maria Manning from Talbott Frame Shop will be selling flora pictures exhibited inside historic Kump house.
They have paintings and prints by local artist Maggi Rhudy and photographs by Mary Ann Honcharik of Dryfork. Also there are botanical prints of the iconic West Virginia wildflowers like Lady Slippers and Trillium done by Thomas J. Allen.
In the breakfast room you will find exhibits of pottery by Scottie Roberts Wiest and paintings by Marcia Kump Mitchell. Both are granddaughters of Gov. and Mrs. Kump, and they took an art class from Willetta Hinkle at the old Elkins High School in the summer of 1958. Their love of natural beauty has inspired their art work throughout their lives.
Katy McClane's music will fill the outdoor air, and Gino's Pizza will be available near the pavilion. There will be children's games on the south lawn, memorial gardens to visit around the house, and a tree walk that will offer infor"mation about our arboretum.
Our Garden Party will be a joyous beginning for a centennial year of celebrations making new memories at KEC.
Construction for the historic Kump house started 100 years ago this spring. The Elkins City Council accepted Mary G. Kump's gift of a brick building and 6.5 acres of Kump land 16 years ago this week, and at that same meeting City Council also approved the creation of a new Elkins Tree Board.
Now the house and the wooded wetland are developing as a beautiful entrance to the City of Elkins. The old fence is down thanks to Mayor Jerry Marco and volunteers.
We are working hard to recreate a more durable fence and restore the historic gate posts. Also Debra Barsy and Laura Santmyer added four new lamp posts and glowing lights for the facade of the house at night.
If you have not seen the Kump House and garden for a while, this is a great time to visit and enjoy all the progress.