"Making Their Mark: The Signature of Slavery at Mammoth Cave" by Joy Medley Lyons

Jerry Bransford mentioned that there was a great book about his family's history in the gift shop at Mammoth Cave.

I picked up "Making Their Mark:  The Signature of Slavery at Mammoth Cave" by Joy Medley Lyons for $7!  At that price, this would be a nice souvenir to pick up for a young reader.

PLUS, its a great, easy read.  There are lots of good photos.  It also gives an easy to follow and understand history of the early slave guides at the cave.

AND, the book literally tracks back the 5 generations of Bransfords that have been tightly linked to Mammoth Cave.

There is a disconnect that occurs around 1939 when the National Park takes over...  and all the guides are white.

MUCH is lost to history concerning the early guides- where they came from and sometimes even what happened to them after their guide careers.  Luckily, there are journals and letters that mention and describe the guides so we do get to know them.  There are a few photos, and a couple of sketches of the very early guides too.