November 10 & 11
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 10 from 10:00 to 4:00 and Sunday, November 11 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, thanksgiving, and recognition of our patriot ancestors.
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 a colonial “Harvest Home” as they celebrate the Overmountain Men’s victory at the battle of Kings Mountain!
Activities throughout the weekend will include programs and demonstrations of 18th century frontier life such as; open hearth cooking, colonial games, flintlock musket and rifle demonstrations, natural dyeing, music and much more. The weekend will also include a special Veterans Day program on Sunday, November 11 to honor the combatants at the Battle of Kings Mountain and our current veterans and armed service members.
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 interpretive exhibits as well as our book and gift shop to make your visit complete. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park 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 or visit us on the web at http://www.sycamoreshoalstn.org and tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals. We look forward to seeing you at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, where you too can “Share in the glorious cause of Liberty”!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(all programs are held inside Fort Watauga unless otherwise noted)
Saturday, November 10th
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 – Firearms of the Overmountain Men: Come for a close up look at the types of weapons used in the Battle of Kings Mountain.
12:00 – Militia Drill: View the County Militia as they train and prepare for military action. (Program will begin in the fort and move to the meadow)
1:00 – Echoes of Revolution: The Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums showcase martial music of the 18th century.
1:30 – Butter Making: Join Ms. Leslie and learn about this common household task.
2:00 – Black Powder Mary: Meet Mary Patton and hear the story of how she provided gunpowder to the Overmountain Men.
3:00 – Medicinal Plants & Herbs: Join Ms. Elizabeth and learn how plants and herbs were utilized by the frontier people for medicine.
4:00 – Event Closing: Join us tomorrow for another exciting day of 18th century Living History.
Sunday, November 11th
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.
10:30 – Worship Service: All are welcome for Sunday morning service held in the courtyard of Fort Watauga.
11:00 – Firearms of the Overmountain Men: Come for a close up look at the types of weapons used in the Battle of Kings Mountain.
12:00 – Medicinal Plants & Herbs: Join Elizabeth Hardy in the fort and learn how plants and herbs were utilized by the frontier people for medicine.
12:30 – Black Powder Mary: Meet Mary Patton and hear the story of how she provided gunpowder to the Overmountain Men.
1:00 – Echoes of Revolution: The Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums showcase martial music of the 18th century.
1:30 – Butter Making: Join Ms. Leslie and learn about this common household task.
2:00 – Special Veterans Day Observance: Join us as we pay tribute to the combatants of the Battle of Kings Mountain and our current veterans and armed service members. (Amphitheater behind Fort Watauga)
3:00 – Event Closing: Thanks for joining us. See you next time!
Don’t forget that our annual Fall Fiber Fair will be taking place in the Visitors Center as part of our Harvest Celebration! Information can be found in the post below this one.
With cooling temperatures and signs of changing seasons about us, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is readying for our annual Colonial Harvest Celebration, Militia Muster, and Fall Fiber Fair!
for sale during this event. Their talents consist of products made from handspun and dyed yarns, dryer balls, needle and wet felted items, hands knitted and crochet items, boot inserts, and kumihimo, just to name a few! Also available will be felt sheets, fiber color packs, drop spindles, knitting needles, and crochet hooks. A variety of fibers are offered for sale including batts, roving, and skeins of alpaca, merino, silk, linen, cotton, wool, and more.
At Fort Watauga, the Washington County Militia, the host living history organization of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, will be engaged in 18th century festivities as we enjoy a time of friendship and thanksgiving amidst a frontier harvest celebration. 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.
Mr. Allison’s boasts a career rich in history, including his role as Interpreter at The Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee. His accomplishments include the interpretation of historical characters including Judge John Overton, Ralph E. W. Earl, and Col. David Crockett. He is known for his educational programming such as “The Duel: Art of the Southern Gentleman. The staff of The Hermitage also benefit from special training focusing on art techniques of the 19th century, historical handwriting, and male costuming from 1790-1840.
November 3rd, Sabine Hill Social Society will be hosting the acclaimed living historian Brian Allison who will be instructing on the art of letter writing in the late 18th and early 19th century. Attendees will learn how to use a quill pen, different paper types, letter composition, folding of the letter for mailing, sealing and post marking. This informative class will be held at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in the Gathering Room starting at 9 am. Cost: $25 for this 2 1/2 hour morning session. All supplies and teaching materials provided. To register with your tuition fee, call Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park at 423-543-5808.
This afternoon session presented by acclaimed author and living historian, Brian Allison, will focus on the art of the duel, also known as Irish Code Duello, in fact and fiction. Journey with us as Brian explains the intricacies of the duel in the 18th and 19th Century, and how it was different in the states like Tennessee, South Carolina and Louisiana. Want to add more to your impression of the period, then this hands on workshop is a must. This informative class will be held at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Parks “Gathering Room” starting at 1pm. Cost: $10 or $5 if taken with his morning session “Thus friends absent speak”. To register with your tuition fee and reserve your spot, call Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park at 423-543-5808.
SYCAMORE SHOALS STATE HISTORIC PARK 