Latest news with #LookoutMountain
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Washington Post
How a federal monument's new welcome center in Maine honors Native Americans
ATOP LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Maine — The founder of Burt's Bees envisioned a tribute to Henry David Thoreau when she began buying thousands of acres of logging company land to donate for what would become the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. But there was a major pivot: The monument's new welcome center tells its story not from the perspective of the famed naturalist but through the eyes of the Wabanaki tribes who were the land's original inhabitants. Roxanne Quimby's family collaborated with four tribal nations, private entities and federal officials to create the $35 million center that the National Park Service opened to the public on June 21, providing a focal point for the 87,500-acre (354 square kilometer) monument. Dubbed 'Tekαkαpimək' (pronounced duh gah-gah bee mook), which means 'as far as the eye can see' in the Penobscot language, the contemporary wood-clad structure atop Lookout Mountain provides a stunning view of Katahdin, a mountain of key importance to Penobscot Nation, one of four Wabanaki Confederacy tribes in present-day Maine. 'It's a sacred mountain. For Penobscot people, it's really the heart of our homeland,' said Jennifer Neptune, a Penobscot who contributed artwork and written interpretations for the exhibits. Philanthropic funds covered the construction costs and land purchases for the monument, which is now now maintained by the park service. Tekαkαpimək donors included L.L. Bean, Burt's Bees and the National Park Foundation, funneled through the Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters, along with the Quimby family. Quimby sold Burt's Bees, maker of lip balm and other products, as she turned her attention to philanthropy. Off the grid and reachable only by unpaved roads, the center features an amphitheater and eastward lookout for sunrise ceremonies led by the Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes, known collectively as the 'people of the dawn.' The vista stretches over land the tribes traversed for thousands of years. The other side faces Katahdin, which at 5,269 feet (1,606 meters) is Maine's tallest peak. Inside, exhibits and artwork teach visitors about birch bark canoes, ancient fishing techniques, the night sky and local wildlife, with translations in Wabanaki languages. Floor tiles reveal an intricate map of tributaries to the Penobscot River, which flows past the island home of the Penobscot reservation to the ocean. The welcome center has opened amid President Donald Trump's campaign to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives nationwide, including by issuing an executive order aimed at 'restoring truth and sanity to American history' that prompted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to order a review of signs, memorials and statues. While the Trump administration's moves have created some unease, a formal management agreement between the federal government and the tribal nations involved should protect the center's focus on the Native Americans who were stewards of this land for centuries, said Quimby's son, Lucas St. Clair, who marshaled his mother's effort to have the land donated to the National Park Service. 'We can do better about teaching the real history of the United States,' and the welcome center attempts that, he said. 'It's not an insult to America. We're not trying to talk badly about America,' he said. When Quimby began buying the land in the 1990s, she was inspired by Thoreau's travels through the region, which included an 1857 journey led by a Penobscot guide, Joe Polis, that he chronicled in 'The Maine Woods.' But the focus began to shift in 2014 when her son joined a group led by tribal leaders that retraced Thoreau's lengthy travels on the 150th anniversary of that book's publication. St. Clair realized there was a richer story to tell. St. Clair began consulting with the tribes, only to be humbled two years later, after President Barack Obama's interior secretary traveled to Maine to celebrate the land's designation as a national monument . A tribal leader chided St. Clair because no tribal members were invited to speak. The omission had revealed a cultural blind spot: 'It just felt like, oh my gosh, I missed the boat on this one,' St. Clair recounted. Another pivotal moment came after the unveiling of the first welcome center design, which Neptune said was inspired by a New England farmhouse-style structure that once served loggers in the area. Tribal representatives felt the design smacked of colonialism and oppression, Neptune said. Lawyers were brought in to protect tribal heritage and intellectual property, while the non-natives involved made deeper efforts to understand Wabanaki culture, and the architect collaborated with an expanded tribal advisory board on a new design evoking a moose's antlers, inspired by a story of a tribal hero. James Francis, the Penobscot Nation's tribal historian, hopes this collaboration serves as a template for future projects involving Native Americans. 'The real achievement of this project was the connection to Maine and how it was done — bringing in the Wabanaki people and giving them a voice,' he said. Quimby said the original design was beautiful, but the discussions with tribal members were eye-opening. 'The more we went along with it, the more we realized that they could make an enormous contribution,' Quimby said. According to the tribe, Thoreau made a major contribution to Penobscot history by documenting their place names, and once wrote in a journal that 'the Indian language reveals another wholly new life to us.' Thoreau would approve of Quimby's steps to conserve land for future generations, said Will Shafroth, former president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, which raises money to assist the National Park Service. 'You have to believe that Thoreau would basically sit on the side of the river and thank God she and her family did this,' Shafroth said.
Forbes
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Golf And Luxury Among The Clouds At McLemore Resort
Above the clouds in northern Georgia lies one of the country's most unique golf destinations, Cloudland at McLemore Resort. At the southern tip of the Appalachians, with an elevation of around 2,400 feet lies Lookout Mountain. It is atop this ancient mountain, worn down over millions of years by erosion, where you will find golf and luxury accommodations that stand out in the 'mountain golf' genre, which can be polarizing among golf enthusiasts. The Keep at McLemore Resort. In 2019, McLemore enlisted famed golf course architect Rees Jones and Georgia native Bill Bergin to remodel a golf course formerly called Canyon Ridge, which had opened in 2005 and featured multiple holes at the cliffs edge. With the hiring of these men and the work they did, McLemore's first course, the Highlands was born. The Highlands course plays to a par of 71 and can stretch out to 7,005 yards, giving a variety of options to golfers of all abilities. A feature of the Highlands course that makes it stand out from other mountain golf courses is the variety of holes it provides. There are canyon holes that are regarded as some of the most challenging holes on the golf course and feature deciduous forests, natural areas and boulders that help shape the holes on this portion of the golf course along the eastern side of Lookout Mountain. These canyon holes also offer some extreme elevation changes that are both scenic and challenging for even the most skilled player. Highlands course at McLemore Resort The majority of the holes of the Highlands course sit atop Lookout Mountain and play like a lot of typical golf courses, with one striking difference, incredible views of the surrounding valleys. Part of playing the Highlands course is getting away and enjoying nature, and to let life slow down as you take it all in while playing this portion of the golf course. Far and away the showstopper of the Highlands course are the cliffs edge holes, especially the 18th. A dogleg-left along the cliffs edge, the fairway slopes from right-to-left, towards the cliffs edge and McLemore Cove, providing a finishing hole that is both scenic and a daunting challenge. Regarded as one of the best finishing holes in America, it is the perfect way to cap off a round at the Highlands course. McLemore Highlands Course 18th Hole 'The blending of natural beauty with a mental and physical challenge makes golf the greatest game. The Keep is the epitome of that union.' These words spoken by course architect Bill Bergin sum up the experience at the Keep perfectly. Resting atop lookout mountain, the Keep can be described as a mountain flatlands. The course plays through gently rolling holes and offers golfers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it one of the most dramatic natural spectator courses in the world. It is described by Bergin as a '479-acre amphitheatre, with the course as the stage and the view as the backdrop.' The Keep at McLemore Resort Rock features are abundant throughout the golf course. They define and shape some of the holes, without interfering with play. The best example of this comes on the 17th hole, where rock outcroppings provide a natural surround for the green complex, forming a citadel around the sides and back of the green. Anytime you are atop a mountain, wind is going to be a major aspect of playing the golf course. To counter this, the Keep offers generous fairways that are more than 60 yards wide in many areas. Large greens features a variety of ridges and tiers that can be used to guide well placed shots closer to the hole. At the Keep you get dramatic golf shots from the start as your approach shot to the first green has to carry a deep gorge that sits at the end of the fairway. As you are walking down the first fairway towards your tee shot, you get a sense of the giant scale of the land at the Keep. The Keep at McLemore Resort Hole after hole, the size and scale of the Keep is awe inspiring. If you were to close your eyes and picture the most scenic golf course on a mountain you could think of, it would basically be the Keep. While it is incredibly walkable and the views are breathtaking, don't let this natural beauty fool you, the Keep will challenge even the best golfers. The course can be stretched out to 7,800 yards and strong winds can do even the best ball striker in. Rees Jones, who collaborated with Bergin on the project said about the Keep, 'Be sure to bring two things - your A-game and a camera.' The Keep at McLemore Resort The Keep offers five holes that play along the cliffs edge, where errant shots will make their way to the valley below. An incredible feature of the Keep is that due to the amphitheatre shape of the property, you can see the majority of the golf course from almost all locations while playing, making it one of the most memorable courses you will play. While playing, you will be immersed in nature as the Keep has natural streams running through it, which also provide irrigation to the golf course. A key focus at the property is preserving nature, with mountain wetlands and natural areas being preserved. The Keep truly is a beautiful mix of golf and nature, in a majestic setting. Looking for a quick and fun round with the family? McLemore has that for you as well with the Cairn, a six-hole short course that sits just north of the clubhouse and overlooks the dramatic 18th hole of the Highlands course. The Cairn can be used as a way to practice your short game or settle bets that may have not been finished on one of McLemore's championship courses. Either way, the dramatic views of this little course are worth your time and won't want to be missed. There is more than just golf at McLemore Resort, perched atop Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, Cloudland at McLemore Resort offers a variety of ways to relax and unwind in one of the most serene settings in the country. Whether there for a family vacation, romantic getaway or business meetings, McLemore has something for everyone. Besides golf, there are a variety of outdoor activities to meet your sense of adventure. Take a hike through Cloudland Canyon State Park, rock climb or zip-line, and for the very adventurous type, hang-gliding and skydiving are options to get your heart rate going. Hang gliding over the valley below. If it is relaxation you seek, McLemore offers one of the most scenic infinity pools you will find, at the cliffs edge of Lookout Mountain. There you can literally relax in the clouds with a beverage and take it all in. The Skyside lounge offers handcrafted cocktails with stunning scenery and a panoramic view of the valley below. Here you can socialize with family and friends in one of the most stunning open-air lounges in the world. Spa services are also offered at McLemore. The Selah spa is open seven days a week and offers a variety of forms of relaxation to meet your needs. From facials, massages or restorative body treatments, the spa at McLemore allows you to forget about life for a while and let your mind, body and soul get the rejuvenation they may need. A variety of dining options are available at the resort to meet the needs of almost anyone's palate. Croft features breakfast, lunch and dinner in a simple, yet refined setting. Like its setting, the food is also simple, yet refined and can be enjoyed with a wide variety of hand crafted cocktails for your enjoyment. Croft focuses on simple foods with fresh ingredients, just like the the farms of Scotland it is named after. Auld Alliance is an upscale dining experience that features a team of culinary artists that bring French cuisine to guests while enjoying stunning views at the cliffs edge. Here you can enjoy a gourmet dinner and your favorite bottle of wine or cocktail, the perfect way to end a day at McLemore. Upscale French cuisine in a serene setting at McLemore Resort. The Creag is a short walk away from the Highlands clubhouse and draws its inspiration, as does much of the resort, from the rugged Scottish highlands. Here you get a seasonal dining menu as well as craft cocktails, beer or wine from around the world, to go along with exceptional dining. The Pocket Cafe is the coffee shop on property, where you can enjoy a variety beverages and pastries to start your day at the resort. The smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning while overlooking the scenic valley below invigorates the senses and makes a great start to a day filled with golf or other activities at the resort. Whether golfing all day or enjoying the many amenities that McLemore Resort has to offer, nothing beats coming back to a beautiful room for a good night's sleep to reinvigorate the body and mind for the next day. McLemore offers a great mix of traditional rooms with thoughtful designs and breathtaking views to larger suites with expansive layouts and private bedrooms. With multiple offerings, you are sure to find a room to meet your needs at McLemore Resort. Superior guest room at McLemore Resort, a Curio Collection property by Hilton.
Hospitality Net
27-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Vision Hospitality Group Breaks Ground on Dual-Brand Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton in Chattanooga/Lookout Valley, Tenn.
Vision Hospitality Group, Inc., a Chattanooga-based hotel development and management company, has officially broken ground on the new dual-branded Home2 Suites by Hilton and Tru by Hilton Lookout Valley in Chattanooga, Tenn. Construction is now underway, with an expected opening in the Fall of 2026. The hotel will be key component of a newly planned 10-acre, mixed-use master development, also being developed by Vision. In addition to the hotel, the development will feature nationally recognized restaurants and retail concepts creating a vibrant destination for both locals and visitors. Strategically located with direct access to Interstate 24, the property is just minutes from downtown Chattanooga and scenic Lookout Mountain - positioning it as an ideal location for both business and leisure travelers. The property will feature 150 guest rooms (82 Home2 Suites/68 Tru by Hilton). The hotel is designed to meet the needs of both extended-stay and transient guests, combining the comfort and flexibility of an all-suite concept with the efficiency and vibrant style of a select-service model. Together, these brands offer a compelling hospitality experience tailored to today's diverse travelers. Guest amenities will include an expansive, resort-style outdoor aquatic recreation area with a freeform pool, in-water sun shelf, water features and slide, creating a relaxed atmosphere for families. The space also will offer a poolside bar with lounge seating, grilling stations and fire pits. Inside, guests can enjoy a lively lobby bar with a gaming area, a modern fitness center, enhanced complimentary breakfast offerings and on-site laundry facilities. For more information and future updates on the Lookout Valley project, please visit
