KNLT is pleased to introduce Wildlands Legacy Society member Dr. Kenneth Smith of Middlesboro, Ky. Dr. Smith joined the society in 2024 when he made a commitment to support the wildlands conservation mission of KNLT through a gift in his will. This planned gift is a testament to the belief he has in the value of protected wild landscapes, and of the trust he has placed in our organization to use his extraordinary gift to fulfill his wishes. We are deeply grateful.
His commitment represents a culmination of many years of partnership – one that has a fascinating story rooted in the history of the early days of Kentucky statehood and in the generosity of this family to protect the places they love.
Dr. Smith grew up in New Hampshire learning to love birds, gardening, wildflowers and astronomy. He attended Harvard and Tufts University School of Medicine in the 1950s. Smith stated that when he graduated from medical school he was unsure what path to take next. He reviewed “help wanted” ads in his medical journals and one stood out from the rest: a position as an internist with the United Mine Workers Miners Memorial Hospital Association. Smith had never been to Kentucky, but when he saw the beautiful mountains of Appalachia, he found this opportunity to be “the best by far.”
“I thought this would be a great adventure,” he said.
He was correct. By coming to Kentucky, Smith set out on a future that would include love, land, and a historic legacy. The adventure began as he met his future wife Isabelle Fitzpatrick. Isabelle was a primary school teacher who had lived her entire life in Middlesboro with deep family roots in the area. Isabelle’s many-great grandparents settled there in 1800 and purchased a tract of land around what is now Cannon Creek Lake in 1815. To this day, Dr. Smith resides in the house where Isabelle grew up.
When Isabelle inherited the land, she had a strong desire to ensure that the land, situated very near to the growing town of Middlesboro and rich in resources, would never be logged or developed.
Leaving a Legacy
In 2012, to fulfill her wish to preserve the natural heritage of the land, Isabelle Fitzpatrick donated 140 acres of wildlands at Cannon Creek Lake, now known as the Colson-Fitzpatrick Preserve, to Kentucky Natural Lands Trust. The couple learned about KNLT by following its work at Blanton Forest in their local newspaper. Dr. Smith recalls hearing KNLT founder Marc Evans speak about KNLT at a Kiwanis Club meeting.
Smith’s love of this land continued, even after the passing of his beloved Isabelle in 2016. He hiked there well into his 80s and tells the stories of the land with a deep sense of pride and reverence.
These wildlands are the setting for many historical points of interest, from the Warrior’s Path to the Wilderness Road. The 12,000 year-old Warrior’s Path was a trail used by indigenous peoples that stretched 300 miles through current day Kentucky from Portsmouth, Ohio, to the Cumberland Gap. The Wilderness Road was one of the primary routes European-American settlers followed into present day Kentucky through Cumberland Gap beginning in the late 1700s as part of westward expansion. There is even a story that tells of Daniel Boone traveling through what is now the Colson-Fitzpatrick Preserve along Boone Trace which became the Wilderness Road. (More information about the history of the area is curated by the Bell County Historical Society and in their publication The Gateway.)
Dr. Smith reflects on this history and shares that because the wildlands of the preserve are largely untouched, he likes to think that when he walks the trails there and looks up at the trees, he is seeing what Boone and his fellow travelers saw 250 years ago. Later, during the American Civil War the Union Army passed through this same route, marching along the old State Road that was once Boone’s Wilderness Road.
“I love to look up at the trees and think that this is what those early travelers saw,” Smith said.
By committing to a donation in his estate plans, Dr. Smith sought to ensure that KNLT could continue to care for the place that he and his wife entrusted to the organization. This concern for the future is central to the conservation efforts of KNLT. We are incredibly appreciative of this promise of support.
If you are interested in learning more about donating to KNLT in your will or estate plans, please contact us. Development Director Nicole Breyette may be reached at [email protected] or (502)314-4395. Your legacy gift can take many different shapes and sizes and will support the future of wildlands conservation in our region for generations to come.
About Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
KNLT is a nationally accredited nonprofit working to protect biodiverse and climate resilient landscapes in ways that benefit communities. Through partnerships with individuals, nonprofits, government agencies and businesses, KNLT has protected more than 59,500 acres of wildlands throughout Kentucky and Central Appalachia. Projects like these would not be possible without the support of our donors! Join our movement and give today: DONATE NOW
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Photo credits
Cover photo: Laurie Keller, KNLT Board Member, Dr. Kenneth Smith, Donna Alexander, KNLT Operations & Finance Director ~ Nicole Breyette, KNLT
Cannon Creek Lake in Bell County, Ky. ~ Preston Lacy, KNLT
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