Colonial Harvest Celebration and Fall Fibers Show

 

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

November 11 & 12

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 11 from 10:00 to 4:00 and Sunday, November 12 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, and many more aspects of daily life on the colonial American frontier.

In the Visitors Center we will be hosting our Fall Fibers Show which will showcase a variety of plant and animals fibers vendors and demonstrations both days.

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 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/about/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”!

 

1651 W. Elk Avenue     Elizabethton, Tennessee   37643

423-543-5808

 

www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals

http://www.facebook.com/sycamoreshoals

www.friendsofsycamoreshoals.org

Military Timeline & Colonial Harvest Celebration

Saturday & Sunday,   November 7^th & 8^th

10:00 am – 4:00 pm 

Sycamore Shoals will soon set the stage for over two hundred years of American military history. Come out the weekend before Veteran’s Day and step back in time for A Walk In Their Boots: A Timeline of American Military History . Experience life on the front lines as an American military soldier and follow his footsteps through the earliest frontier days, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, America’s Civil War, World War I, World War II and beyond. See firsthand, how the uniforms, equipment and weapons developed over the years. Follow the path of America’s proudest tradition, that of its military veterans.

As a timeline event, re-enactors and historical interpreters will walk you through each period, displaying artifacts and conducting interactive demonstrations that will show you how these men and women contributed to securing American freedom and how they have protected it to this day. Tour the period encampments, see how soldiers lived in the field

and what resources they had to survive!

Plus, do not miss the battle skirmish presentations for four specific time periods presented both days. Do not miss this opportunity to see period equipment and weapons in action! This event is designed to not only honor the past but also recognize our present military heroes. Everyone is encouraged to attend especially our veterans.

Also in conjunction with the timeline event, the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia, host living history organization for Sycamore Shoals, will present a colonial era Harvest Celebration within Fort Watauga. 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 for their annual Harvest Home Activities. Harvest events throughout the weekend will include; a reading of colonial governor Richard Caswell’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, open hearth cooking, flintlock musket and rifle demonstrations, militia drill and training, and many more aspects and demonstrations 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 military and historic 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.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

Saturday, November 7th

10:00 – Event Opens

10:15 – Opening Ceremony

11:00 – World War I era battle scenario

1:00 – Revolutionary War era assault on Fort Watauga

2:00 – Civil War era field skirmish

3:00 – World War II era assault

 

Sunday, November 8^th

10:00 – Event Opens

11:00 – Church Service in the WWII camp

1:00 – Civil War era field skirmish

2:00 – World War I era battle scenario

3:00 – World War II era assault

 

 

 

Colonial Harvest Celebration and Militia Muster

Schedule of Events 

November 15 & 16 

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 15^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 – Wool Processing: Join Ramona for a look at the process of taking wool and preparing it for yarn and cloth.

1:00 – Thanksgiving Proclamation: Join the Watauga Settlers as news of a Thanksgiving Proclamation arrives. There will be a public reading of the proclamation and a salute by the Militia.

2:00 – Artillery Demonstration: Witness the procedures for loading and firing the fort’s cannon.

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 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 followed by a Worship Service: Feel free to join the militia for Sunday morning service held in the courtyard of Fort Watauga.

11:00 – Open Hearth Cooking: See how food was prepared in colonial America.

12:00 – Take this opportunity to take in all the park’s many attractions. Visit our new Interpretive Exhibits and Orientation Film. Shop in our Eastern National Book and Gift Shop. Take a relaxing stroll along the Watauga River on our 1 mile walking trail, the butterfly garden, or the park arboretum.

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.

3:00 – Event Closed: Thanks for joining us. See you next time!

 

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

 

This Event is Sponsored by:

The Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia

 

For more information about other exciting living history events call Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area at 423-543-5808 or visit us on the web.

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

http://www.sycamoreshoalstn.org      

www.washingtoncountyregiment.wordpress.com

1651 West Elk Avenue

Elizabethton, TN 37643