April 12 and 13
Schedule of Events
Activities Throughout the Day Include
18th Century Militia Camp, Flintlock Firearm Demonstrations, Natural Dyeing, Flint Knapping & Primitive Skills, Pewter Casting, Rope Making, Storytelling, Colonial & Old Time Music, Gourd Artwork, Antique & Reproduction Firearms Display, Chair Caning, Pine Needle Basketry, Furs Traps and Antique Tools Display, Colonial Games, Leather Work, Wool Processing, Displays of 18th Century Frontier Living, & Much More!
S A T U R D A Y, A P R I L 1 2 th
10:00 – Militia Inspection & Salute to the Carter Family – Posting the Colors followed by a grave decoration and mourning of arms to honor the Carter Family.
11:00 – Carter Mansion Tour – Take advantage of this guided tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house and witness frontier elegance first hand. Hear about the Carter family and their many contributions to the history of our community, state, and nation.
12:00 – Militia Drill – The Washington County NC Militia will demonstrate the tactics and firearms of an 18th century militia!
12:30 – “Echoes of Independence” – The Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums perform tunes from the American Revolution!
1:00 – “Skirmish at the Mansion” – It was the summer of 1781, John Carter and John Sevier, who had access to the settlement’s deed books, confiscated the lands of all Loyalists living nearby. When these Tories learned of this, they plotted to kill Carter and Sevier; take the deed books; and restore their lands. The wife of one of the conspirators, however, was friendly with John Sevier and warned him of his danger. John Carter fled and took the true books with him, leaving fake copies in his office. He died of smallpox soon afterward; taking the location of this treasure to his grave…We will interpret this sequence of events as a skirmish at the home of John Carter
1:30 – “Ladies’ Liberty Tea” – Join the ladies of the settlement for some light refreshments. Who knows, they might even let the gentlemen join in as well!
2:00 – Carter Mansion Tour
3:00 – Traditional & Old Time Music – Join James H. Garland and Chad Bogart for a delightful set of old time tunes played on old time instruments with a bit of wisdom and humor thrown in for good measure!
3:30 – Carter Mansion Tour
4:00 – Retiring the Colors – The militia closes the day’s activities by retiring the flag. Camps close to the public. Join us tomorrow for another day of living history, entertainment, and family fun.
S U N D A Y, A P R I L 1 3 th
10:00 – Militia Inspection – The Militia kicks of the day’s activities by Posting the Colours.
11:00 – Worship Service – All are welcome to join us for Sunday Service on the grounds of the Beautiful Carter Mansion.
12:00 – Carter Mansion Tour – Take advantage of this guided tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house and witness frontier elegance first hand. Hear about the Carter family and their many contributions to the history of our community, state, and nation.
1:00 – “Skirmish at the Mansion” – It was the summer of 1781, John Carter and John Sevier, who had access to the settlement’s deed books, confiscated the lands of all Loyalists living nearby. When these Tories learned of this, they plotted to kill Carter and Sevier; take the deed books; and restore their lands. The wife of one of the conspirators, however, was friendly with John Sevier and warned him of his danger. John Carter fled and took the true books with him, leaving fake copies in his office. He died of smallpox soon afterward; taking the location of this treasure to his grave… We will interpret this sequence of events as a skirmish at the home of John Carter.
1:30 – Militia Drill – The Washington County NC Militia will demonstrate the tactics and firearms of an 18th century militia!
2:00 – Carter Mansion Tour – Take advantage of this guided tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house and witness frontier elegance first hand. Hear about the Carter family and their many contributions to the history of our community, state, and nation.
3:00 – Retiring the Colors – The militia closes the event by retiring the flag. Thank you for visiting the Carter Mansion.
This event is sponsored by the
Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia.
The Carter Mansion is located at:
1031 Broad Street
Elizabethton, TN 37643
summer of 1776. At Sycamore Shoals, Fort Watauga offered protection to nearly 200 settlers during a two-week siege led by Cherokee War Chief, Old Abram, and 300 warriors.
For more information on this and other exciting events at Sycamore Shoals please contact the park at 423-543-5808 or visit the park’s website at www.sycamoreshoalstn.org. Bring the entire family and see how your ancestors played a crucial role in our region’s history and in the formation of our nation. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke, and see the 18th century come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. This event is sponsored by The Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia and The Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.
SYCAMORE SHOALS STATE HISTORIC PARK 