Evenings Upstairs: The Mantle Rock Preserve, A Witness to the Trail of Tears

In Celebration of Native American Heritage Month

Mantle Rock Nature Preserve is a 367-acre natural area that invites visitors to explore rare and unique natural features of Kentucky and offers the meaningful experience of retracing a portion of the Trail of Tears northern route. A two- and three-quarter-mile loop trail follows a one-mile portion of the same historic road traveled by Cherokee people during the forced Indian removal of 1838 and 1839.

In this presentation Morris will discuss The Nature Conservancy's history at the site, the ecology and geology of the site, restoration and management actions, recreation opportunities, and the Trail of Tears history that we know of based on historic records from the Cherokee Nation, National Park Service and National Trail of Tears Association. Jost will cover the delay crossing the Ohio at Berry's ferry due to ice and how it impacted this segment of the Northern Land Route, during the difficult winter of '38. He will examine how Mantle Rock has become symbolic as a way point, and a reminder over time both to the National Trail Folks and to the Cherokee, especially the riders.

Shelly Morris is the Director of Freshwater Conservation for The Nature Conservancy- Kentucky, and a member of the leadership team for the Mississippi River Basin Program. Prior to joining the Kentucky Chapter of the Conservancy in 2003, she received a BS in Biology from Murray State University and a MS in Biology from University of Louisville.

Bob Jost’s involvement with the Trail of Tears dates to 2009 when as GIS Manager of the Purchase Area Development District, he worked with the Mississippi River Parkway Commission to have a section of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway designated in Kentucky. He is the product of diverse academic institutions, Dartmouth College, Arizona State University, USC and Troy University. The other formative institution was the U.S. Army. Bob retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993. He is currently the Vice President of the Kentucky Chapter of the National Trail of Tears Association and serves as on the National Board.

All programs are free & open to the public