Overmountain Muster Candlelight Tours

 

LANTERNS & LEGENDS OF 1780

Friday, September 25 from 7 pm – 9 pm

Tours by Registration – see link below

 

The year was 1780. The tide of the Revolutionary War was turning against the patriot cause.  The British focused their attention to the divided southern colonies and won victory after victory in a bloody civil war.  Charleston had fallen, and American forces had crumbled at the battle of Camden. But then the impossible occurred…The frontiersmen of the western mountains began a long march, gathering an army along the way, from the highlands of Virginia to the hills of South Carolina.  At a place called King’s Mountain, they destroyed British forces and opened the way for the final American victory at Yorktown.

The route they took from Virginia to South Carolina, we now know as the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.  On Friday, September 25^th come re-live the muster of the Overmountain Men with a unique after-hours, twilight program entitled “Lanterns & Legends of 1780”.  Experience the sights, sounds, and emotions of the 18^th century as you are guided through the historic encampment of the Overmountain Men by lantern light. Meet legendary figures such as Maj. Patrick Ferguson, Mary Patton, Rev. Samuel Doak, John Sevier and others as they tell the dramatic story of this historic gathering which led to one of the most decisive victories of the Revolution!

The program begins at the park visitor center, and each tour lasts approximately 1 hour. Tour times are as follows; 7:00, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, 8:00, 8:15, 8:30 PM.  Pre-registration is required and groups will be smaller to promote social distancing.

You can make your reservations by visiting http://www.tnstateparks.com/parks/events/sycamore-shoals. Fees for the lantern tours are Adults – $10.00; Ages 7 to 17 years – $5.00; 6 and under Free.

Take a trip back in time, re-live the most crucial days of the American Revolution, and “Share in the Glorious Cause of Liberty” at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park.

The park is located at 1651 W. Elk Avenue in Elizabethton, TN.

Contact the park at 423-543-5808 or visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals or www.sycamoreshoalstn.org

Please help us stop the spread of COVID-19.

Face masks are required at all indoor state park facilities. Masks are recommended outdoors if social distancing cannot be maintained.

Carter Mansion, Arboretum, and Fort Watauga Tours – This Saturday! April 13th

 

Sixth Annual Interpretive Day

with ETSU- Park and Recreation Students

at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

Interpretive Programs     13 April 2019             1:00pm – 5:45pm

 

On April 13^th from Noon until approximately 5:30 pm, ETSU Park and Recreation Students enrolled in SALM 3110 Interpretation of Cultural and Natural Resources Class will be conducting interpretive programs on Sycamore Shoals. The public is cordially invited to participate with them as they share with the community the special features that make Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park a premier natural and historical resource in the Upper East Tennessee region.

The first student led interpretive program will begin at 12:00 pm at the Carter Mansion and will cover the historical importance of John Carter in the region as a merchant and early political leader. Students will also lead a tour of the grounds surrounding the Carter Mansion. This program will conclude at approximately 1:30 pm

The second student led interpretive program will begin at 2:00 at the Sycamore Shoals Visitor Center and will include a brief walk around the property ending with an overview of the Fort and its significance as the birthplace of early Democracy in America. Particular attention will be placed on the historical importance of Sycamore Shoals as it relates to early American History and the program will focus on some of the key historical figures of the region.

The third and final student led interpretive program will begin at 4:00 in front of the Sycamore Shoals Visitor Center and will include an overview of the Sycamore Shoals Arboretum focusing on specific key trees in the arboretum. The interactive nature of this program will include walking through the arboretum with stops at various species of trees that are indicative of the region. This program will conclude the day’s event at 5:30 pm.

The students are conducting the interpretive programs a part of a class project designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students in the class while cultivating a lasting community stewardship for Sycamore Shoals. We encourage you to join these upcoming professionals in the field of Parks and Recreation for an enjoyable afternoon at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park.

 

“Through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection.” – Freeman Tilden