Step Into History - Cumberland Gap National Historic Park Tour led by Historian Dr. Lucas Wilder
Saturday, September 19 2026 @ 8:30 a.m. ET
Cumberland Gap National Historic Park Visitors Center
91 Barlett Pkwy., Middlesboro, KY 40965
The TCWPA Board is thrilled to invite you on a journey into the heart of America’s frontier — the Cumberland Gap, the legendary “First Gateway West.”
During the Civil War, this narrow mountain pass became a prize both armies were desperate to control. Nearly 100,000 soldiers marched through its shadowed ridges. Confederate General Zollicoffer’s ill‑fated push into Kentucky, Union General Morgan’s tense evacuation in 1862, and General Burnside’s decisive 1863 campaign all left their mark on this rugged landscape. The Gap was not just a passage — it was a battleground that shaped the destiny of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
On April 25, you’re invited to step onto that very ground.
Join TCWPA for an unforgettable day as National Park Service Historian Jim Ogden leads an immersive exploration of the Tullahoma Campaign — a masterclass in strategy, deception, and determination. Few guides can conjure the past with the clarity and force that Jim brings to the field. Under his interpretation, landscapes speak, decisions sharpen, and the campaign’s drama unfolds in vivid detail.
Meet Your Guide
Dr. Lucas Wilder, PhD, Park Ranger and Adjunct Professor, will lead this immersive experience. Raised in the Appalachian Mountains he now interprets, Dr. Wilder brings sixteen years of National Park Service expertise and a storyteller’s gift. His research on mountain warfare — and his popular History Gone Wilder YouTube channel — ensures a tour that is both authoritative and unforgettable.
Why We’re Offering This Experience
Your support allows us to preserve history and share it meaningfully. This tour is our way of thanking you for your commitment — and inviting you to stand where history was made.
Tour Overview
- Begin the morning with a dynamic floor‑map presentation exploring the Confederate occupation of the Gap.
- Board the shuttle for a scenic and informative driving tour, stopping at Fort McCook, the breathtaking Pinnacle Overlook, and Fort Lyon.
- Continue with a walking tour through the historic Cumberland Gap, concluding at the dramatic site of the Union Magazine explosion.
- Return to the Visitors Center to conclude the experience.
Tour will involve no more than 1.5 miles of walking along a well-maintained trail that is a gradual climb for half the hike. Space is limited – secure your spot today at http://www.tcwpa.org/events.
We hope you’ll join us for this rare opportunity to explore Cumberland Gap with one of the nation’s foremost experts.
Register Now
Complete and submit the form below or contact TCWPA at info@tcwpa.org.
