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Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park will host nearly 200 living history interpreters, demonstrators, and heritage craftspeople for the Muster at Fort Watauga: An 18th Century Frontier Exhibition. Colonial, British, and Native re-enactors will converge at the re-created Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals to relive the days when America’s first frontier was the land beyond the Blue Ridge.

The muster will be held Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. to witness the incredible story of Sycamore Shoals come to life. Visitors will step back in time to visit the fort, militia camps, British encampment, and Native American camp. Attendants will be immersed in the 18th century as they witness daily aspects of colonial frontier life and witness the  crucial role Sycamore Shoals played in the early history of our nation.

Several seminars and presentations will be provided by experts in the field of 18th century life such as the British Army during the Revolutionary War, Child’s jobs in the 18th century, Cherokee, British, and Colonial Relations, Child Soldiers in the American Revolution, & the Museum of Colonial Curiosities. There will even be a presentation on 18th Century Fishing for all anglers out there. Shop with skilled artisans and merchants who will offer their handcrafted 18th century reproductions including, leather work, clothing, horn work, jewelry, pottery, fiber art & woven goods, coffee & tea blends, and much more. 

Several Revolutionary War living history units will be in attendance and will make the 18th century come to life during the weekend. Units include the South Carolina Rangers, Musgrove’s Mill Militia, 71st Highland Regiment, the British Legion, Burke Co. Militia, Rowan Co. Militia, and Montgomery Militia. The host unit is the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia based at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Also, enjoy musical entertainment from the Watauga Valley Fife & Drum Corps.

Numerous individuals will participate in the event portraying many 18th century walks of life including Cherokee Natives, Backcountry Hunters, Farmers, Housewives, Commoners and Gentry. Ongoing demonstrations throughout the weekend will include natural dyeing, quill pen writing, colonial games, deer skin trade, basket weaving, chair caning, blacksmithing, medicinal plants, hide tanning, public house, firearms displays, 18th cooking & foodways, and much more.

Also returning this year will be the auction of 18th century reproductions and colonial inspired goods at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The auction is always an entertaining event and has become quite popular with re-enactors and members of the public alike. It’s a great buying opportunity for those in the living history hobby, the home decorator, or the general history buff. All proceeds from the auction go directly to offset the cost of producing the Muster at Fort Watauga event.  

For more information on this and other exciting events at Sycamore Shoals please contact the park at 423-543-5808, log on to tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals or visit us on Facebook. Admission to the event is free so bring the entire family and see how your ancestors played a crucial role in our region’s history and in the formation of our nation. Witness the 18th century come to life, hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke, and see how you can make history at the Muster at Fort Watauga: An 18th Century Frontier Exhibition. This event is sponsored by The Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia and The Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is located at 1651 W. Elk Avenue in Elizabethton.

 

Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 18    

10 a.m. – Militia Muster & Posting of the Colors at Fort Watauga

10:30 a.m. – 18th Century Fishing – Ranger Cory Franklin, Rocky Fork State Park

11 a.m. – Lord Dunmore Speaks; Virginia’s Colonial Governor – Michael Henningsen      

11:30 a.m.  – The British Army in the American Revolution – Alexis Dekeyser

12 noon – “Turning the Tide”; The Campaign to Kings Mountain – Steve Ricker, OVTA  

1 p.m. –  Tactical Demonstration: The Battle of Kings Mountain

1:30 p.m. – “A Balancing Act”; Cherokee, British, and Colonial Relations – Mark & Sherry Finchum

2 p.m. – Child Soldiers of the American Revolution – Ivan & Cohen Daniels, Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums

3 p.m. – Auction – Open to reenactors and the public alike. Pick up some nice 18th century reproductions, books, and more.

4 p.m. –  Event Closed for the Day

 

Sunday, May 19

10 a.m. – Event Opens. Militia Muster and Inspection at Fort Watauga

10:30 a.m. – 18th Century Worship Service – Parson John F. Jarboe

11 a.m. – Lord Dunmore Speaks; Virginia’s Colonial Governor – Michael Henningsen

11:30 a.m. – The British Army in the American Revolution – Alexis Dekeyser

12 noon – 18th Century Fishing – Ranger Cory Franklin, Rocky Fork State Park 

1 p.m. – Tactical Demonstration: The Battle of Kings Mountain

1:30 p.m. – “A Balancing Act”; Cherokee, British, and Colonial Relations – Mark & Sherry Finchum

2 p.m. – “Turning the Tide”; The Campaign to Kings Mountain – Steve Ricker, OVTA

2:30 p.m. – Child Soldiers of the American Revolution – Ivan & Cohen Daniels, Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums

3 p.m. – Event Closed – See you next year!