Club History
Cumberland Mycological Society, a mushroom club based out of East and Middle Tennessee, was founded in 2004. The club was the brainchild of Dave Lewis, of Ozone, and Gwynn Evans, of Knoxville. The club’s initial main purpose was “To provide a Society for the sharing of ideas, experiences, knowledge and common interests regarding fungi,” which is similar to today’s purpose, “To promote the study, enjoyment and exchange of information about wild mushrooms in East and Middle Tennessee.”
The original club officers were:
Dave Lewis, President
Steve Roberts, Vice President
Gwynn Evans, Secretary/Treasurer
Bonnie Morris, Web Designer
In August 2004, Dave Lewis produced and mailed out Cumberland Mycological Society’s first newsletter, Up in Smoke, showing an illustration of a puffball discharging its spores. The club’s first meeting was held in Lenoir City that month, and the first mushroom walks took place at Roane County Park in Harriman. In 2005, the club obtained a scientific collection permit at Cumberland Mountain State Park, near Crossville, and the club’s first foray was held there in August of that year. In 2006, field mycologist, Jay Justice, of Alexander, Arkansas, became the club’s first scientific adviser, and he volunteered to help out at three summer forays at Cumberland Mountain State Park that year. The mushroom identifiers at club events in those early years were Jay Justice, Paul Scott, Dave Lewis, Gwynn Evans, and Steve Roberts.
In 2007, a scientific collection permit was added at Colditz Cove Natural Area near Allardt, and Cumberland Mycological Society did an identification walk there that year, in addition to a foray at Cumberland Mountain State Park. These events were led by Jay Justice, and Jay has continued as a valuable contributor to the club, attending club events every year, up to the present. Other club scientific advisers who have regularly attended club events and contributed valuable knowledge and insights include mycologists Coleman McCleneghan, Emma Harrower, Brian Looney, and Rachel Swenie. The club has also benefited from an ongoing exchange of scientific information with mycologists at the University of Tennessee, including Brandon Matheny, Ron Petersen, and Karen Hughes.
Over the years, Cumberland Mycological Society has added many more parks and natural areas to its list, including Pickett State Park, Fall Creek Falls State Park, Rock Island State Park, Burgess Falls State Park, Piney Falls State Park, Frozen Head State Park, South Cumberland State Park, Virgin Falls State Natural Area, The Obed Wild & Scenic River National Park, and Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. State and federal government agencies have been very appreciative of the club’s detailed mushroom species lists (which are required to obtain collection permits). More recently, during the pandemic years, the club has made a temporary shift to virtual ID sessions, which have been a big success, allowing members to meet remotely without having to travel.
The club’s current officers are:
Steve Roberts, President
Virginia Creasy, Vice President
Jaime Threadgill, Secretary
Toni Roberts, Treasurer