Spring 2010 Issue a publication of the Sgt.

York Patriotic Foundation

York Institute Stabilization and Remediation Completed

IN THIS ISSUE
YAI Visit and History, 2
SYPF Donors, 3
Sgt. York & Hwy. 127, 4
Veteran’s Day 2009, 5
Grant Improves Alvin C.
York State Historic Park, 5
Update on York General
Store, 6
York State Park, 6
Promoting Our Mission, 7
Christmas in the Valley, 7
Bill Maffett donates York
Mill Print, 7
Membership 2010, 8
The remediation and stabilization phases of the historic York Agricultural Institute preservation
initiative is complete. Expenditures for these activities alone have totaled approximately $1 million.
Having been slated for demolition by the State of Tennessee, which had owned the former school
building built through the efforts of World War I hero, Sgt. Alvin C. York, the deserted facility was
acquired by the nonprofit Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation (SYPF) in 2008. Extensive brickwork and a
protective roof membrane covering the entire building are two of the measures that will keep the
building safe from the elements and animals. The SYPF voluntarily paid for repair of the pavement
surrounding the building, ensuring safety of school personnel, students and visitors.
The SYPF, which owns the building, has also paid engineering, contracting, permitting and other
associated fees and invoices. The State of Tennessee agreed to reimburse the Foundation up to
$500,000, but there are numerous related expenditures that were necessary to complete the first two
phases of saving the school that are not eligible for reimbursement.
Further, the SYPF has become responsible for paying monthly telephone bills associated with the
fire alarm system and monthly electric bills for powering an exhaust fan system that will prevent the
build up of moisture while the building is empty awaiting further rehabilitation and final use.
Though the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation has been fortunate enough to attract money from
several large donors and some local contributors, much more is needed to return the centerpiece of
Sgt. Alvin C. York’s legacy to the condition it deserves. Few Federal and State dollars are available, and
the project is expected to proceed primarily because private foundations and individuals commit to
seeing the building saved.
Current Condition
Before

SYPF 2010 Goals

•restoring the York Institute building
•increasing SYPF membership
•enhancing visitor experience at York
State Park through interpretative
materials and upgraded facilities During After
•attracting corporate sponsors for
SYPF initiatives and capital projects
•expanding outreach through special Before
events and tours During
•continuing preservation of York- After
related artifacts and documents
•developing educational youth
programs
•growing York General Store business
•augmenting visitation to Park in
cooperation with Park personnel

VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

1
 First Look at YAI Preservation Initiative Attracts Supporters

Those attending a walkthrough of the recently remediated and stabilized historic York Institute on Dec. 21, 2009, included George Halford, President, Cookeville-
Putnam Chamber of Commerce; Bryan Foster, WASCO Inc.; Orbin Logan, Fentress resident; Walter Page, Executive Director, Fentress County Chamber of
Commerce; Patrick McIntyre, Executive Director, Tennessee Historical Commission; Lincoln Davis, United States House of Representatives; Shawn Gallant,
WASCO Inc. (construction general contractor); CW3 Bruce Catlett, Senior Army Instructor, Alvin C. York Institute; Michael Birdwell, SYPF Board Member, York
Archivist, TTU History Professor; John B. Mullinix, Fentress County Executive, SYPF board member; Karen Brown, Tennessee Department of Economic and
Community Development Three-Star; Calvin Dickinson, Tennessee Historical Commission Board Member, Retired TTU History Professor; Gaye Cooper,
Representing Tennessee State Representative John Mark Windle; Dan Brown, Executive Director, Tennessee Preservation Trust; Rod Foy, Foy Survey Co.
(donated survey for project); Barbara Novovitch, a journalist whose father was superintendent at York in 1960s; Leta Wildasin, Office Manager, Tennessee
Preservation Trust; J.H. Graham, Mayor, City of Crossville; John Robbins, Field Representative for Congressman Lincoln Davis; Lou Lattanzi, SYPF Board Vice
Chairman; Danny Nichols, York Store Manager; Claudia Johnson-Nichols, Executive Director, Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation.

“This is something near and dear to me. I’ve heard
repeatedly from the mouths of people that if Sgt. York
was here, he’d say away with the building. They’re
completely wrong. He would never say that. In fact,
if my dad was living, that building would have never
been in the condition it’s in.”
– George Edward York, 86-year-old son of Sgt. York,
speaking to the Tennessee Building Commission in
2008
Honor Sgt. York’s Contribution to Education
Please help the SYPF save the YAI building Sgt.
York fought so hard to build. Our immediate need
is an additional $250,000, which will continue to
prepare the structure for restoration and reuse.
Government funds are practically nonexistent.
Like Sgt. York, we are appealing to the public for
help. Donations are tax deductible.
Call 931.347.2664 or email sypfdirector@gmail.com

This is a 1927 pledge

For a history of Yorkʼs struggles card illustrating Sgt.
visit: www.sgtyork.org/ York’s efforts to erect
legacyindistress.html t h e Yo r k I n s t i t u t e
building now being
saved from demolition
by the State of
Tennessee though the
commitment of SYPF
and generosity of
donors.

YORK'S SCHOOL IN DISPUTE: World War Hero Has

These are pages from a brochure to solicit donations for York
Institute. Though not dated, it would have been used prior to
1934, as Gov. Horton died that year.
Difficulty Founding Tennessee Institution.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 25 (AP). Though the State Department
of Education has adopted an attitude of neutrality with reference to
rifts in Fentress County educational matters involving Sergeant
Alvin C. York, World War hero and prospective founder of an
opportunity school, it was indicated today the whole matter would
be threshed out at the next meeting of the Board of Education,
Aug. 11.
– New York Times, July 26, 1927

VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

2
 SY PF Su!o"ers
Memorials
The SYPF continues to receive The Willard M. and Ruth Mayer Johnson Charitable Foundation has donated the second
contributions in memory of
installment of a $250,000 pledge to be paid over five years for use in York Institute’s restoration
Sgt. York’s grandson Larry
York, son of Andrew York, and adaptive reuse initiative.
who passed away on Nov. 24,
2009. The Foundation and the Congressman Lincoln Davis’ office assisted the SYPF in procuring a Congressional
York family thank you. Be Appropriation of $95,000 for use in remediation of potential health or environmental hazards
assured that these memorials at the YAI project site, such as asbestos or animal/bird fecal matter. Final testing determined
will be used to further the that all such threats were eliminated.
legacy of Sgt. York, whose
surviving children are all
members of the Board of Ward Correll, CEO of Cumberland Lake Shell headquartered in Somerset, Ky., continues to
Directors of the SYPF. Mail support the restoration of the YAI building through his financial contributions.
tax-deductible contributions to:
SYPF Donations Rod Foy, owner of Foy Survey Co., donated professional services valued at more than $1,800
1010 Christmas Lane, toward the YAI preservation project.
Cookeville, Tenn., 38501
Progressive Savings Bank, headquartered in Jamestown, Tenn., is donating professional office
space to the SYPF at the Progressive Financial Center on Interstate Drive in Cookeville, Tenn. In addition to a beautifully
furnished office, the SYPF has use of conference and boardrooms for holding small meetings or larger gatherings. This
donation is valued at more than $6,000 per year.

Support from Potter’s Ace Hardware, with corporate offices in Fentress County, Tenn., coupled with a financial gift from
SYPF Board Chairman Gerald York, helped York General Store to acquire an upright freezer necessary for efficient store
operations.

The Ned Ray McWherter Foundation, as well as numerous individuals and several businesses made financial
contributions during 2009 that helped with the projects and events sponsored by the Foundation.

A substantial contribution from an anonymous donor is guaranteeing SYPF’s operational budget for 2010, enabling the
foundation to employ a professional executive director for the Foundation and a professional general manager at York General
Store and Visitor Center. This commitment offers the SYPF an opportunity to launch numerous initiatives in keeping with the
legacy of Sgt. York while growing membership and sustaining ongoing projects.

John A. Nolen III donated $10,000 toward ensuring that the mission of the SYPF is successful.

Many Fentress County and Tennessee Upper Cumberland businesses and individuals supported the Sgt. York Day activities
in October 2009 by donating money and supplies, sponsoring prizes for the student art contests and senior citizen writing
competition. For a full list of contributors and more York Day 2009 information, visit www.sgtyork.org.

John Evans, owner of Next Generation Underwriters in Hendersonville, Tenn., and wife Barbara made significant
donations of equipment, personnel time and financial support during 2009. Among these have been money for operational
needs, scanning equipment and labor for York documents and images, payment of insurance on YAI and other donations.

Support from Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation Board of Directors:

Janet Hopson, owner of The Graphic Station & Unstudio Photography in Jamestown, Tenn., has donated several thousand
dollars in professional services to the SYPF, including photography, Web design and maintenance and graphic design.

Andrea Burckhard and husband Terry, owners of Dale Hollow Marketing Group in Byrdstown, Tenn., have saved the SYPF
many thousand dollars by donating company resources for mailings, email blasts, press release distribution, free publicity in
publications and more.

Alan Whitehead and wife Jill are coordinating national membership and corporate sponsorship campaigns and donating
electronic marketing services through their respective Detroit, Mich., area companies. These campaigns are valued at more than
$100,000.

Noble Cody has donated office and professional supplies for the executive director’s office.

VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

3
 Wolf River Bridge Bridge Dedication Drew Crowds to Pall Mall in 1940
(Renamed Sgt. Alvin C. York Bridge)
Pedestrian Bridge Needed in 2010 for Safety of Visitors to Area
The bridge across the Wolf River on
the Taft Memorial Highway (now
known as U.S. Highway 127) was
dedicated on July 4, 1940, by Sgt.
York.

The illustration (right) was part of an

invitation to the event, which was
broadcast on WSM. The bridge still
stands, and much of Hwy. 127 in
Fentress County has been renamed
Sgt. York Highway.

The 654-mile portion of Hwy. 127

between West Unity, Ohio, and
Gadsden, Ala., attracts hundreds of
thousands of shoppers each first
Thursday in August through the
following Sunday for the World's
Longest Yard sale, headquartered
with the Fentress County Chamber of
Commerce. Call 1-800-327-3945 for
information.

Hwy. 127 Today

Hwy. 127 dissects Alvin C. York State

Historic Park, forcing park guests, many of
whom are school children, veterans and
traveling retirees, to cross the busy
thoroughfare on foot.

Approaching the (now named) Alvin C. York

Bridge from the south (above), York General
Store is on the left and Sgt. York’s home is on
the right. The Grist Mill and park day-use
area is to the left just across the bridge.

One SYPF goal for 2010 is to partner with

York Park officials to raise money for
construction of a pedestrian bridge to ensure
visitor safety. Donations for this project
through the SYPF are tax deductible.

Bridge viewed from Grist Mill

VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

4
 Veteran's Day 2009 at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park
Each Veteranʼs Day George Edward York, oldest surviving child of Sgt. York,
invites U.S. Veterans and the public to participate in a service honoring
those men and women who have served America in the Armed Forces. The
2009 keynote address was delivered by history educator Tony Zachary.
For additional details, visit www.sgtyork.org.

Dr.
Sam
Barnes,
a

Cookeville
artist
and

retired
physician,

dedicated
the
Sgt.
York

bust
he
created
in
honor

of
the
90th
Anniversary
of

York’s
1918
exploits
in

France.
An
identical
bust

was
delivered
to
Châtel
Chéhéry, France.
To
read

the
full
story,
download

For more on Veteranʼs Day activities,
the
Fall
2008
newsletter

visit sgtyork.org
archived
at

www.sgtyork.org.

$50,000 Grant Awarded SYPF for “Tennessee Trailblazers Tour” Featuring

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park and Alvin C. York Sate Historic Park
The York and Hull parks are two small Tennessee State parks in counties targeted by
the Gems of Appalachia: Enhancing Appalachia’s Gateways to the Big South Fork grant
program. To strengthen the application for funding, the SYPF partnered with Friends of
Cordell Hull Birthplace. Both groups are nonprofits with goals of preserving the history
and legacy of these outstanding Americans and promoting these destinations to the
general public and targeted audiences for recreational, educational and tourism purposes.
Interpretational and educational audio and visual aides for each site will be created,
conceptually linking the physical locations using Web site video modules for promotion.
Mapping, signage and an audio tour will enable the visitor to experience the region’s
history, music and natural beauty while learning about
each site during the 25-minute trip between the Parks.
These pictures show a few attractions at the York site.

Admission to buildings, exhibits and

events at the York site is free

VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

5
 Sgt. York State Historic Park Offers Look Into Sgt. York’s Life
Robin Peeler Wooten, Park Manager

Happy, joyous Spring everyone! The staff here at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park invites you to
come visit soon. With warming temperatures, the time is perfect for a trip out to the park to visit the General Store,
the York Home and outbuildings, the gristmill and picnic area, and the York Nature Trail. Each season and time
have different stories to tell, and every visit to the park affords you a new opportunity to gain meaningful knowledge
of the past. Our goal is that your experience at the park will continue to inspire and touch you when you return
home!
On behalf of Tennessee State Parks and the staff of Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park, I would like
to sincerely thank the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation for their tremendous support of the park to help achieve our
common goals. Together we strive to interpret and share the compelling life story of Alvin C. York. In addition, the SYPF provides a valuable
service to our guests by offering one of a kind York souvenirs and refreshing food and drinks. Thank you, SYPF, for all you do!
In addition to routine maintenance and programming, here are some recent projects that have been underway at the park in the last year:
restoration of the outbuildings at the York Home, installation of new playground equipment, exterior painting of the York Home, the planting of a
summer vegetable and herb garden at the York Home and implementation of a self guided tour of the York Nature Trail. A few exciting projects
on the horizon include the facelift of the York Nature Trail (Special Thanks to Scout Benjamin Johnson and volunteers!), increased interpretation
and exhibits at the park (Special Thanks to SYPF for authoring the ARC Grant awarded to SYPF), and restoration of the kitchen and upstairs
bedroom to original wall coverings in the York Home.
Thank you for your support of the state park and the SYPF. The park exists to interpret and protect the cultural and natural resources of
the site and region for you, so please come visit often! For more information, directions and hours, visit www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/
SgtYork. There is no charge for tours, which begin at York General Store with an orientation video. Groups of all kinds and any size are welcomed
by Park and General Store staff !

New Manager at York General Store and Visitor Center

York General Store, which houses the interpretive center for York State Park and Pall Mall, is now under management of David Robbins, a
Fentress County native with degrees in finance and computer information systems from Tennessee Tech University. Robbins has established
and successfully operated his own businesses in the past, and he brings professional expertise coupled with genuine enthusiasm to York
General Store.
His plans for the YGS are to upgrade merchandise related to Sgt. York, World War I and history, to establish displays and exhibits, to
institute an educational outreach program to Veterans’ organizations, historic groups, schools and churches and to increase visitation to the
store, Pall Mall and the region. Contact David at 931-879-3657 or yorkgeneralstore@gmail.com.

York General Store and Visitor Center is the first stop for Improvements Prepare
visitors to Pall Mall & Sgt. York State Park and features a
free orientation film, tourist information, deli, snacks, Sgt. York General Store
York gifts, books, T-shirts, collectibles and more. for 2010 Visitors
All proceeds benefit the SYPF.
Any store item may be ordered for mail delivery
by calling 931-879-3657 or email
yorkgeneralstore@gmail.com.

Sgt. York Action Figure Expanded Deli and Snack Menu

Sgt. York Gift Room

Sgt. York “Capture” Miniature Set Sgt. York Commemorative Coin

Official SYPF Mugs Quill Signature Pen Limited Edition Engraved Knives First Day Issue Stamp Portfolio
VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM
6
Before
 Christmas in the Valley 2009 – Remembering Sgt. York
Each year ar Music
ound at Yo
rk
13, everyone Sgt. York’s birthday, D Gene
ral S
is invited to ec
homeplace the Sgt. Yor . tore
for singing, k
Methodist C the Wolf Riv
hu er
& the York G rch for a Christmas co
eneral Store nc
for refreshm ert
ents.
ward York
George Ed Lowrey
Be ts y Yo rk
&
and Food
et Fellowship
tion is s
20 10 celebra will be Visit
 sgtyork.org
 often
 for
 updates,

The . 11 an
d
for Dec ed to include Singin including
 a
 Summer
 2010
 announcement

d
expan es and sites g at Y
s e ork H about
SYPF
fundraising
events
currently
in

busines the Valley of th . ome
development,
 like
 a
 (5k
 run,
 concert,

ug h o ut a ll M a ll
thro d P
orks an celebrity
 golf
 tournament,
 VIP
 dinner),
 a

Three F buying.
York General Store is a great place for gift JROTC
 national
 awards
 program,
 a

orde rs shipp ed prom ptly.
Credit cards accepted, national
 membership
 drive
 &
 a
 corporate

giving
 campaign.
 Call
 Executive
 Director

Sgt. York Interpreter Honored with Stateʼs Top Guard Award Claudia
Nichols
at
931.347.2664
to
help.

The Alvin C. York Award for 2009 was presented to SSG Louis Varnell by the Tennessee State Guard.
The award, first instituted in 2005, recognizes Tennessee State Guardsmen who display an exceptional
commitment to the ideals of duty, honor and service to state and country as exemplified by Sgt. Alvin C.
York. It is the highest award given by the Tennessee State Guard.
Varnell currently serves as the Operations NCOIC for the Division and is the Senior Drill Sergeant for
the TNSG non-prior service camp of instruction. In addition, he serves as the commander of the TNSG
Historic Detachment Color Guard, which seeks to preserve the legacy of the TNSG in WWII.
In addition to his service with the TNSG, SSG Varnell is also the director of the Southeast Veterans Sgt. York Day 2009
Museum. He is active in many schools and colleges, lecturing on the First World War while dressed as a WWI
Doughboy and sharing the story of Sgt. York with hundreds of Tennessee students. For the past two years,
Varnell and his volunteers have come to Sgt. York Day with historic displays. In October 2009 he brought the Battle Bus,
a rolling museum, with a WWI exhibit, while members of the TNSG Historic Detachment were dressed in WWII State
Guard uniforms to commemorate the service of Alvin York as a TNSG member in WWII.
"Receiving the Alvin C. York award was quite an honor," said Varnell. "Especially since Sgt. York was also
a Tennessee State Guardsman. It means even more since I know the family authorized the award.”

Cookeville Artist Uses Creativity for

Members who join the SYPF at the
General George Edward Buxton ($250)
level receive a York Grist Mill
watercolor print signed by artist Bill
Maffett, along with other gifts
York Institute Fundraising Campaign
! A new print of the historic York Grist Mill was available
for the first time at Sgt. York Day 2009. The limited edition print
is of a watercolor by Bill Maffett, a Cookeville businessman and
artist. Maffett, who began painting in recent years, has depicted
several of Tennessee’s historic places in his work, including
recognizable Tennessee sites such as the Cookeville Depot and
Downtown Gatlinburg.
! His painting of Sgt. York’s mill was inspired by the plight of
the Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation to save the original building of
York Institute in Jamestown from demolition. Maffett donated 70
unsigned 16x20 prints to the SYPF for sale in its York General
Store in Pall Mall and donated another 30 signed prints for the
SYPF to give as appreciation gifts for other donors to the
restoration fund.
! The York Grist Mill is included on the free tours of the
Sgt. York State Historic Park, along with the York Home, Sgt. York
Burial Place in the Wolf River Cemetery and a drive-by view of
York Chapel, Wolf River Methodist Church and the York Bible
School.

VISIT WWW.SGTYORK.ORG • CALL 931-347-2664 • E-MAIL SYPFDIRECTOR@GMAIL.COM

7
 pa r ti ci p ation
Ch oppor
e c k o t u n i ti
ut SY es for
PF ’s m 2010!
ember
ship &
931-879-3657
Call YGS for Details
Christmas in the Valley – Dec. 11
Veterans Day –  Nov. 11
Hwy. 127 Sale – Aug. 5-8
Cruise In – June 19
York General Store
Headquartered at
2010 Events
Pall Mall, TN 38577
P.O. Box 100
Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation
The Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation
Invites you to become a Member
Founded in 1993, the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 corporation funded by voluntary contributions. It
serves to continue historical research, preserve the Sgt. York home place, farm and artifacts,
restore historic York Institute and to improve education.
Choose your Rank:
Recruit: Membership Certificate and the “Sergeant York Says” Journal, $25
Private: Membership Certificate, “Sergeant York Says” and Sgt. York T-shirt, $50
Corporal: Membership Certificate, “Sergeant York Says,” set of 12 pen&ink notecards suitable for framing
depicting scenes associated with Sgt. York’s life, $100
General George Edward Buxton: Membership Certificate, “Sergeant York Says,” set of 12 pen&ink notecards
and a York Grist Mill watercolor print signed by artist Bill Maffett, $250
Sergeant: Certificate, “Sergeant York Says,” History of the AEF book and Sgt. York DVD, $500
Medal of Honor: Membership Certificate, “Sergeant York Says,” copy of Sgt. York DVD, History of the AEF
book & a Sgt. York print signed by artist Butch Hodgkins, $1,000
Membership registration accepted by mail or in person. Please include member’s full name, mailing address, telephone number and email address along with a check or
money order made payable to Sgt. York Patriotic Foundation.