Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

April 1
Carter Mansion Celebration – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Meet at the Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643
Join us as we celebrate the oldest frame house in Tennessee, and the historically prominent Carter family. Travel back to the 1780s and tour the Carter Mansion. Witness living history reenactors demonstrating aspects of 18th century life, and see local craftsmen showcasing traditional skills. Free admission.

April 15
19th Century Trade Fair at the Carter Mansion – 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Meet at the Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion, 1031 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643
Although built in the 1770s, Tennessee’s oldest frame house was a thriving farm and family home for nearly two centuries. Come spend the day at the Carter Mansion and visit with living history interpreters to learn about various trades, skills and professions in the mid 19th century. Enjoy learning about occupations such as a lawyer, doctor, undertaker, and others. Also, learn about medicinal plant usage, tasks of 19th century housewives, midwifery, children’s games, and more.

ETSU Parks and Recreation Student Interpretive Programs – 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. On April 15 from 1 p.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m., 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 Area a premier natural and historical resource in the Upper East Tennessee region.
The first student led interpretive program will begin at approximately 1:00 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 2:30 p.m.
The second student led interpretive program will begin at approximately 3 p.m. 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 approximately 4:30 p.m. 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.
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 and Tennessee State Parks. We encourage you to join these upcoming professionals in the field of Parks and Recreation for an enjoyable afternoon at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.

April 16
Watauga Valley Art League Meeting with Guest Speaker – 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Park Visitor Center. All are welcome to join our area artists for their monthly meeting, highlighted by an art related presentation. This month the presenter will be Jerry’s Artarama.

April 21
Tech in Nature – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at the picnic area beside the Visitor’s Center. Price: $0 / 6 and under; $5 per person. Register for the event.
Today, most people are inseparable from their smart phones and mobile devices. We want to embrace this cultural change and show you how you can better use technology on a day to day bases in nature. Using tools such as GPS locating, plant identification, and other easily accessible resources and apps, we will show you how to enhance your experience rather than take away from it. Join Ranger Cory Franklin for a walk around the park to better understand the tools you carry with you daily. The program will meet and begin at the picnic area beside the Visitor Center.

April 22
2nd Spring Open House/Annual Plant Auction – Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Join us for the 2nd annual Spring Open House here at the park. Also, take in a variety of outdoor organizations and groups that will be set up in the Visitor Center and outside the park. Represented will be Master Gardeners, our very own in-house butterfly/bird expert, other neighboring State Parks and sites, and many more. So plan on joining us for a fun-filled day of indoor and outdoor activities to kick off your Spring!
Annual Plant Auction: Doors open at 8:15 a.m. to view plants and register. Auction begins at 9 a,m.

April 23
Earth Day Celebration – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. – SHSS celebrates Earth Day with a fun day of outdoor activities. We will be meeting outside at the park for an afternoon of shuttlecock and 9 pins. Look for us near the fort. Period attire is preferred but not necessary. Please bring your own refreshments, chair/ground cover. In the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled.

April 23
Old Time Music Jam – Led by Art Lang – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center
Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play an instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!

April 27
Sabine Hill Guided Tour – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Price: children 6 and under is free, $5/ages 7-17, $9/adults. Register for the event. Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee. During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century.
Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G St., Elizabethton, TN 37643.
Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

May 6
Bird Walk with the Lee & Lois Herndon TOS Chapter – 8 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center parking area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.

Fellowship English Country Dancing – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center.
Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are all welcome! The afternoon will include the opportunity to learn dances from the early 19th century. No cost to attend. Open to anyone, with or without experience or a partner. Meet in the Visitor Center. Sponsored by the Sabine Hill Social Society.

May 7
Watauga Valley Art League Meeting with Guest Speaker – 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Park Visitor Center. All are welcome to join our area artists for their monthly meeting, highlighted by an art related presentation.

May 20
Siege of Fort Watauga – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free admission. It is 1776 and the frontier is ablaze with war. Join us as 200 Colonial and Native reenactors present this dramatic retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga Valley. Visit the living history camps, shop with period vendors, and witness battle re-enactments both days. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke and see history come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. Contact the park for a detailed schedule.