Christmas at the Carter Mansion is just around the corner!

Friday and Saturday

December 6 and 7

6 – 9 pm

The Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion

1013 Broad Street

Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643

Are you tired of the hustle and bustle that always accompanies this time of year? If so, step back in time to the 18^th century and enjoy a colonial Christmas at the beautiful Carter Mansion. Join Colonel John Carter, the Carter family, and all their friends for a glimpse into simpler time, when Christmas was the grandest celebration of the entire year. In colonial America the Christmas season was celebrated as month long array of merriment and festivities signaled by caroling, feasting, dances, foxhunts, and the firing of Christmas guns. Christmas on the colonial frontier would have been much different though, with only the simplest of pleasures being offered by the humble backwoods settlers. However, in contrast, the Carters would have displayed an opulence only seen in the finest homes of Williamsburg or Philadelphia.   

Spend a candlelit evening in the oldest frame house in Tennessee, decorated with bright greenery for the holidays.  Enjoy music, hot cider, and 18^th century interpreters as they transport you to a Colonial American Christmas. No reservations necessary.  Just stop by and enjoy this one-of-a-kind holiday gathering!

 

For more information, contact:

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area

1651 West Elk Avenue

Elizabethton, Tennessee

(423) 543-5808

www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals

 

Schedule of Events! Colonial Harvest Celebration

 

 

Before Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday, each colony or community observed a day of thanks usually after the harvest had been brought in. Join the Washington County Militia for their monthly Militia Muster and Harvest Home Celebration! 

Saturday, November 16^th 

10:00 – Militia Inspection and Raising the Colors: Hear the roar of muskets and rifles as the Militia starts off the day with a patriotic ceremony.  

11:00 – Artillery Demonstration: Witness the procedures for loading and firing the fort’s cannon.

12:00 – 3:00: In 1777 North Carolina Gov. Richard Caswell issued a day of Thanksgiving after the American victory at Saratoga. Visit with colonial frontier families as they celebrate the bounty of the harvest

3:00 – Militia Drill: View the County Militia as they train and prepare for military action.

4:30 – Camps Close: Join us tomorrow for another exciting day of 18^th century Living History.  

Sunday, November 17^th

10:00 – Militia Inspection and Raising the Colors: Hear the roar of muskets and rifles as the Militia starts off the day with a patriotic ceremony.

11:00 – Worship Service: Feel free to join the militia for Sunday morning service held in the courtyard of Fort Watauga.

12:00 – Artillery Demonstration: Witness the procedures for loading and firing the fort’s cannon.

1:00 – Afternoon Tea and Sunday Social: Join the Ladies of the settlement for this delightful social gathering. Gentlemen are welcomed to attend!

1:30 – Artillery Demonstration: Witness the procedures for loading and firing the fort’s cannon.

2:30 – Militia Drill: View the County Militia as they train and prepare for military action. 

O n g o i n g   A c t i v i t i e s  &  D i s p l a y s   I n c l u d e

Hides and Pelts – Open Hearth Cooking – Hand Sewing – Militia Drill

Leatherwork – Wool Processing – Colonial Life Skills

Flintlock Rifle & Musket Demonstrations – Colonial Woodworking Tools 

Flint & Steel Fire Starting – Frontier Living History

 

Colonial Harvest Celebration & Militia Muster!

Saturday, November 16 from 10 am – 4 pm

Sunday, November 17 from 10 am – 3 pm

Autumn is in full swing. As both the temperature and the leaves continue to fall, we begin to think of the many holiday festivities that wait in the coming days. Over two hundred years ago it was quite the same for the early frontier settlers. On Saturday, November 16 from 10:00 to 4:00 and Sunday, November 17 from 10:00 to 3:00 Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area will become the scene of a Frontier Harvest Celebration as we enjoy a time of friendship and thanksgiving.

             In Colonial America, before Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday, each colony or community observed days of thanksgiving usually after the harvest had been brought in or after a significant military victory. Join the Washington County Militia, host living history organization at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, for their monthly militia muster and Harvest Home Celebration!

            Activities throughout the weekend will include; a reading of colonial governor Richard Caswell’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, open hearth cooking, flintlock musket and rifle demonstrations, 18^th century artillery demonstrations, militia drill and training, and many more aspects of daily life on the colonial American frontier.

            This is a perfect opportunity for the entire family to visit one of Tennessee’s finest state parks and enjoy a day immersed in history and fun. Admission is free so don’t miss this unique event showcasing Tennessee’s rich heritage. During your time at the park be sure to experience the new interpretive exhibits and our Eastern National Book and Gift Shop to make your visit complete.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area is located at 1651 W. Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN 37643. For additional information about this and other exciting events at the park please call 423-543-5808

Also be sure to check out the following links!

http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/SycamoreShoals/

www.washingtoncountyregiment.wordpress.com.

 

We look forward to seeing you at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, where your history comes to life!