News Release

Jacob Cummings and His Route to Freedom - A Kayak Tour

Date: May 5, 2023
Contact: Kim Coons, 706-866-9241, ext. 139

Fort Oglethorpe, GA: On Saturday, May 20, at 9 am, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, in partnership with Outdoor Chattanooga, will conduct a FREE, 3- hour, historical kayak tour. In late July 1839, Jacob Cummings liberated himself from slavery on the banks of Moccasin Bend and paddled his way to freedom in a small canoe. National Park Partners will sponsor this special kayak tour of Cummings’ escape from slavery. Participants will paddle the route he followed and learn about his role as both passenger and agent on the Underground Railroad. The following reservation and paddler requirements must be met prior to tour participation.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Participants should meet Outdoor Chattanooga staff at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Suck Creek boat ramp to be shuttled to the launch site. To make a reservation, please visit Outdoor Chattanooga’s online catalog at http://bit.ly/outdoorchatt or call 423-643-6888.

PADDLER REQUIREMENTS
•  Participants must be 15 years of age or older
•  Participants must know how to swim

Outdoor Chattanooga and the National Park Service reserve the right to cancel a trip at any time at their discretion, due to weather or water conditions. Participants will be notified as soon as possible if there is a cancellation. The rain date for this event is Saturday, May 27, at 9 am. If you must cancel your reservation for any reason, please try to do so with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Please call between the hours of 8 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday to cancel a reservation.

For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chch.