Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area will hold its November Auction & Fundraiser on Friday, November 13 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. to allow viewing of items to be auctioned.
The event is dedicated to raising funds to support improvements to and care of the Sycamore Shoals’ Interpretive Exhibits and Museum which opened in June of 2013. Since its opening, the Sycamore Shoals Exhibits have become a showcase community and continue to attract new visitors who travel here to experience local history.
The Sycamore Shoals Exhibits are comprised of 3 dimensional features, select artifacts, realistic mannequins representing early settlers and cultures of the late 18th century, and many wonderful surprises! The important contributions of our ancestors who fought for our freedom from Great Britain during the American Revolution, coupled with the stories and struggles of the settlers living along the Watauga Old Fields, sets the stage for an exceptional museum experience! In addition, you can begin your visit by viewing our new, 15 minute film which focuses on the most significant historic events that took place at Sycamore Shoals.
The event will raise funds to improve the already outstanding museum to make the experiences of our visitors even more enjoyable. Additions to the museum will include enhancement of lifelike three dimensional exhibits, display cases to showcase important and fragile artifacts, additional text panels to accompany the artifacts, and new ways to make the museum more interactive for visitors.
Some of the items that will be included in the auction include a beautiful hand-pieced quilt made by the Sycamore Stitchers, an autographed picture of Eli Manning holding the Super Bowl trophy, an autographed picture of Butch Jones, an autographed script and photos from the hit television show NCIS, a large Snap-on Cooler designed as a tool chest, an 18th Century Cherokee Trade necklace made from beads that are over 150 years old, a handcrafted knife and display stand from local primitive artisan Bob Estep, a rafting trip for two with Wahoo’s Adventures, and numerous gift cards from area restaurants. Also on the list of auction items are tickets to Ripley’s Aquarium, Barter Theater and The Tavern, Grandfather Mountain, and the Gray Fossil Site. There will also be select items from the Sabine Hill house restoration for bid as well as many smaller items in the Silent Auction.
Those contributing to the auction include The Sycamore Stitchers, Burgie Drug Store, Felty-Roland Florist, the Watauga Valley Art League, John Sevier-Sarah Hawkins Chapter DAR, Charlie Long III of Allstate Insurance Company, Indian Mountain State Park, Artist Kay Braswell, Eli Manning, Gary Stevens, Butch Jones, East Tennessee Nursery Association, Citizens Bank, Larry Proffitt, Elizabethton Federal Savings and Loan, Snap-On Tools, Bob Estep, Ripley’s Aquarium, John Parrish, Grandfather Mountain, Meredith Valley Cabins, Red Lobster, Hampton Inn, Gray Fossil Site, Wahoo’s Adventures, Primo’s, Jim Bishop and Carolyn Buckles
For questions, additional information, or to contribute an item or service to the auction, please contact Johnnie Pilk or Chad Bogart at 423-543-5808.