The U.S. Forest Service is dispelling misinformation that has spread about the possible permanent closure of the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm.
Land Between the Lakes Public Affairs Officer Chris Joyner tells the News Edge the false information recently began spreading.
Joyner adds the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm typically closes during the winter months and will reopen in March.
During the time of misinformation spreading online, U.S. Forest Service officials heard how important the facility is to the region.
He adds while the interest for the facility is there, it has not translated to visits and says if the community wants to help, they need to visit when they reopen next year.
Aviva Yasgur, Executive Director of Friends of Land Between The Lakes, recently shared a letter that gained many shares on Facebook and other social media. In the letter posted on Explore Kentucky Lake’s website, Yasgur said the U.S. Forestry Service plans to operate the Homeplace as a “museum” rather than as the living history center and working farm. The Homeplace has served as that for many decades, and she adds budget cuts could cut funding to staff interpreters.
Yasgur also claimed they plan to get rid of most of the animals and crops at the facility. If significant sources of external assistance are not found, the Forest Service will plan to shut it down permanently at the end of 2021.
