To reach new visitors and expand, the Dunlap Coke Ovens Park and Museum is now open five days a week, reports Sequatchie Valley Historical Association (SVHA) President Jim Wyatt.

The switch from two open days to five occurred during the May meeting of SVHA, said Wyatt.

“As part of acquiring recognition through highway signs for our historic park, we had to follow criteria which included this,” he explained.

The new hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday; and noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Volunteers run the office and museum, said Wyatt. Debbie Shepherd and Charter Member Louise Johnson have formed a schedule for 12 volunteers who alternate the duty of keeping the museum open throughout the year, he explained.

Johnson has been a member since the Association was formed in 1984. The museum was built by donations from a man from Rhea County who left a donation in his will. Volunteers did the construction and began what citizens can see today as the Dunlap Coke Ovens Historical Park and Museum, said Wyatt.

The museum and park boast artifacts from the Coke Ovens and around the valley, some dating back over 100 years, along with 82 acres of beautiful park land, picnicking spots and the historic coke ovens, themselves.

“It is a treasure in the fact it has all the artifacts that reflect the culture and history of the valley. We want to expand and add to that, especially concerning the impact of the turn of the century,” Wyatt said. “We have many irons in the fire and many people willing to donate to make these plans happen and I think this is going to be a destination point for people who want to visit the area.”

The essence of the entire valley, the sacrifice and hard work, shines through at the museum, noted Wyatt, making it a great place for the whole family.

SVHA is made up completely of volunteers who do more than simply keep the museum open. Everything from keeping the park land clean, neat and trimmed to preparing for festival goers is taken care of by volunteer hands. Over the years, membership has steadily grown, but Wyatt foresees a new need for volunteers in the future.

“We have a good following now and I think it’s going to help tenfold with the local economy, but we are always growing at the Coke Ovens, so we always need more volunteers,” he said.

With different improvements over the past years, the museum has seen a definite increase in the number of visitors, he reports.

“We’ve seen steady growth, and with opening up for five days a week, we’ve already doubled our visitation,” he said. “We have people coming in from everywhere.”

Wyatt named people he has met at the museum from Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and even Iraq.

“It’s amazing to see the different people who walk through those doors,” he said.

Volunteers help along the way, but the main force behind the Coke Ovens growth has been festivals. Without any state or federal funding, the annual bluegrass festival held at the park raises the most amount of funding for SVHA, noted Wyatt. The Association has decided to hold two festivals a year, now, which will include a Fall Festival during Labor Day weekend.

“Our festivals have been great,” he said. “All our media coverage really helps, too.”

Wyatt noted, the documentary Slaves of the Coke Ovens was shown on PBS, a television broadcasting company, and helped bring more visitors into the museum.

“Every time I come down there to the park, it’s more inspiring,” he said. “It’s good, wholesome and when you get around these bluegrass guys and the donators, you feel good. It’s a great feeling, like, ‘What can I do to help’?”