Prepare to step back in time this weekend as Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park presents an 18th Century Winter Militia Muster at the park.
On Saturday, Feb. 6, and Sunday, Feb. 7, members of the Washington County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia, the park’s host living history organization, will bring history to life through this special event. Members of the Militia will be encamped in and around Fort Watauga providing visitors with a glimpse into our area’s Revolutionary War past. Visitors will be able to walk among historic re-enactors portraying a wide variety of characters — from hunters and farmers to land speculators, backcountry gentry and native peoples — who will share stories of the area’s history through talks, skits and demonstrations of 18th century life and skills.
“The Washington County Militia provides many historic programs throughout the year at Sycamore Shoals,” Park Manager Jennifer Bauer said. “This particular event will focus mainly on the daily tasks and activities associated with a frontier militia muster.”
During this time period, a muster was a monthly gathering of the colonial militias to drill and train for military action and fighting.
“The Watauga settlement, in the 18th century, was a remote backwoods community, far removed from the towns and cities in Britain’s American colonies,” Bauer said. “The frontiersmen had to be on alert and ready to defend their settlement, or raise a force to travel over the mountains to the aid of their fellow patriots.”
Over the course of the weekend, members of the Washington County Militia will present a myriad of programs and demonstrations showcasing life on the 18th frontier, including demonstrations of colonial skills that would have been necessary to survive on the frontier. The weekend will also feature members of the Militia as they present flintlock musket firing demonstrations, 18th century artillery demonstrations and military drill.
The event is free and open to the public and suitable for the whole family. The muster takes place on Saturday, Feb. 6th, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7th, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is located at 1651 W. Elk Avenue in Elizabethton. For more information on the Winter Militia Muster or other park events, you may call the park at 423-543-5808 or visit the park websites at www.sycamoreshoalstn.org or http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals.
For more information on the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia, visit its website at www.washingtoncountyregiment.wordpress.com.