Kingsport: Bays Mountain Exhibit

In addition to all the neat things we have on permanent display in the archives lobby, the library also provides us with two display cases on the main floor. We just removed the Spoden Collection exhibit and replaced it with one about Bays Mountain Reservoir and Park.

The right case features items from the Bays Mountain Park Records (KMMC 12).

The right case features items from the Bays Mountain Park Records (KMMC 12).

The left case features items from a variety of collections.

The left case features items from a variety of collections.

 

Some historical photos from the pre-park days and also images taken during the 1970 Park groundbreaking.

Some historical photos from the pre-park days and also images taken during the 1970 Park groundbreaking.


A favorite portion of the Bays Mountain Park Records is the correspondence between the US Army and Kingsport City concerning an exchange of land between the park boundaries and Holston Defense. Below is just one sample.

"PROPOSED USE: Land to be acquired from the City of Kingsport will be used as an additional safety buffer for six explosive magazines."

“PROPOSED USE: Land to be acquired from the City of Kingsport will be used as an additional safety buffer for six explosive magazines.”


Items in the left case are representative of the Reams, McNeer, Spoden,  Huffaker, and other collections.

I love the photos of early city leaders reviewing the dam on horseback and images of the dam before the guard rails were installed.

I love the photos of early city leaders reviewing the dam and images of the dam before the guard rails were installed.

 

1916 quarry and dam workers.

1916 quarry and dam workers.


So, if you need to get out of the heat and humidity this summer, come by the library and check out the Bays Mountain Reservoir and Park exhibit. If you want to see more of any of the collections represented, come by the archives M 2-5, or  T-Th 10-12 & 2-5!

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