Submitted by: Lisa Hess, Ranger-Burnsville Lake & Sam Krafft, BHA-President
The Bulltown Historical Association (BHA) is the newest Cooperative Association on the Burnsville Lake project. The BHA is organized and operated completely by volunteers that have a passion for history.
The BHA was founded in 2019 by a group of civil war reenactors, their families and friends, with a common goal to educate the public and promote the history of the area. In 2020, in the peak of the Corona Virus National Pandemic, they were able to join with the Burnsville Lake, US Army Corps of Engineers to form a Cooperative Association. This type of an association grants the BHA organization special privileges that allow them to operate on U.S. Army Corps of Engineer property. The BHA works hand in hand with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to preserve and enhance the Bulltown Historical Area in the community of Napier, WV, which is commonly known as Bulltown.
The BHA already has several projects ongoing in the area. First and foremost is the replacing of the log floor joists and the floor in the Cunningham house which was damaged by groundhogs. Secondly, they are working on restoring the old spring house by insulating and boxing it in. This will offer the Historical Area the opportunity to demonstrate to the public how our ancestors kept food and other necessities cool without electricity. Thirdly, they are constantly working on brush removal and maintenance of the battlefield area. The BHA is currently in the process of planning several activities for campers and visitors to the area. The BHA are planning an Easter egg hunt for the local youth, a Heritage Day in July, and a Civil War Reenactment of the Battle of Bulltown in October, along with other events and activities. Other possible activities and demonstrations include flint knapping, blacksmithing, hand woodworking, fiber arts, gardening, rope making, candle dipping and other day to day projects our forefathers would have been involved in on the farm. These events are planned to for the public to educate and preserve the “arts” and everyday life of our ancestors
The BHA is currently accepting applications for membership! If you are interested in promoting history, volunteering, would like to make a donation to help to establish a scholarship program or help preserve the history of the Bulltown Historical Area, contact the President of the BHA, Sam Krafft at 304-677-1398 or visit the BHA on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bulltownhistoricalassociation. Donations can be mailed to: Bulltown Historical Association, 2550 South Main St., Burnsville, WV 26335.
For more information about Cooperative Organizations, Friends Groups or Volunteering at Burnsville Lake, please contact the US Army Corps of Engineers by calling 304-853-2371 extension 0.