Sycamore Shoals State Park: History at Home Programs

History at Home
Seasonal Interpretive Programs
With Andrea Price &  Slade Nakoff
July 4 th – July 15 th

Carter Mansion Guided Tour
Tuesday – Saturday, July 4 – 8 10:00 am
Tuesday – Saturday, July 11-15 12:30 pm
Cost: Adults – $9.00; Ages 7 to 17 – $5.00; Ages 6 and under Free
Tax included Max:12 per tour
Registration required – www.tnstateparks.com/parks/events/sycamore-shoals
Join Seasonal Interpreter Andrea Price for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Enjoy the
beauty of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the Carter family who built it
between 1775 and 1780.
The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase.
Sabine Hill Guided Tour
Tuesday – Saturday, July 4 – 8 12:30 pm
Tuesday – Saturday, July 11-15 10:00 am
Cost: Adults – $9.00; Ages 7 to 17 – $5.00; Ages 6 and under Free
Tax included                                                                           Max:  12 per tour
Registration required – www.tnstateparks.com/parks/events/sycamore-shoals
Join Seasonal Interpreter Slade Nakoff 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. 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 Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home
includes steps and an interior staircase.
Tuesday, July 4 th
9:00 a.m. “The Colonial Gunsmith” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates the work of a
gunsmith during the 18 th century, along with methods of the trade. Meet in the park visitor’s
center. Duration 30 minutes.
11:00 a.m. “Independence Day Through Time” – From Declaration readings and cannon fire
to parades and concerts, Independence Day traditions have changed as time has passed since the
nation declared independence from British rule. This Independence Day join Andrea Price as she
shares the history of celebrations in the 247 years since the signing of the Declaration of
Independence. Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 30 minutes.

1:30 p.m. “Dress Like a Frontiersman” – Dress to impress your fellow freedom fighters by
taking part in this opportunity to try on colonial clothing. Join Andrea Price as she discusses the
clothing that would have been worn around the time of the American Revolution and get a
chance to dress up. This program is recommended for ages 5 to 13. Meet at the park visitor’s
center. Duration: 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Firearms of the 18 th century” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates how
firearms of the 18 th century function as well as describes their construction. Meet at Sabine Hill.
Duration: 20 minutes.
Wednesday, July 5 th
9:00 a.m. “Quillwork” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates the process of quillwork, a
predecessor to beadwork achieved with porcupine quills. Meet in the park visitor’s center.
Duration 30: minutes
11:00 a.m. “Cemetery Symbolism” – Death and mourning practices differ across customs and
time periods, but many aspects have carried over into current tradition. Join Andrea Price as she
discusses funerary and mourning practices common in the 18th century while searching for
symbols in the Carter Family Cemetery. Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Colonial Kid Games” – Ready to play like a frontiersman? Join Andrea Price as
she takes part in the games children would have played growing up at Fort Watauga. Prepare to
get active and have fun playing games like graces, ninepins, and hoops & sticks. Meet at the park
visitor’s center. Duration: 45 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Tartan and Trade: Scottish Culture on the Frontier” –As people move from one
location to another, often they retain and reestablish their cultural heritage within the new
geographic region. Join Slade Nakoff as he discusses and demonstrates aspects of Scottish
culture which settlers brought with them to the frontier. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration 25
minutes.
Thursday, July 6 th
9:00 a.m. “Hat Making” –Headwear has always been an area for those on the cutting edge
of fashion trends to modify and make their own. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates hat
making during the 18 th Century and its impact on the edge of colonial society. Meet in the park
visitor’s center. Duration 30 minutes.
11:00 a.m. “Finger Weaving” – Finger weaving is a technique that has been used by Native
American groups for thousands of years. Join Andrea Price as she works on finger weaving a
strap and shares the history of the technique. Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Creek Crawl” – Cool off from the summer heat at Sycamore Shoals! Join Andrea
Price as she guides a crawl into a creek off the Watauga River in order to check the water’s
quality, identify important species, and beat the heat. Please bring a towel as well as clothing and
footwear you would not mind getting wet. Meet at the park visitor’s center. Duration: 1 hour.
1:30 p.m. “Carpentry of the Federal Period” –Humans have utilized wood to create various
kinds of objects and shelters since the dawn of time. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates and
describes methods of carpentry specific to the settlement period of East Tennessee. Meet at
Sabine Hill. Duration 30 minutes.

Friday, July 7 th
9:00 a.m. “Painting the Past”- In a period before cameras made capturing a moment
commonplace, painters were employed with the task of constructing representations of the
people and places in which they inhabited. Slade Nakoff will be demonstrating and describing
painting techniques employed by the old masters to create mementos of the present, even on the
frontier. Meet in the park visitor’s center. Duration 30 minutes.
11:00 a.m. “Personalized Pockets” – The pocket is a staple piece of any colonial woman’s
wardrobe. Join Andrea Price as she discusses and demonstrates the art of personalizing pockets
with embroidered detailing. Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Frontier Barbie: The Making of Colonial Dolls” – From corn husks to
electronics, children’s toys have evolved in the last 250 years. Join Andrea Price as she discusses
the tradition of making dolls out of corn husks and participate in making one yourself! Meet in
the park visitor’s center. Duration: 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Early American Architecture” –The way in which structures are constructed and
what is considered fashionable in the United States has changed drastically over time. Join Slade
Nakoff as he describes these changes and choices through the example of Sabine Hill. Meet at
Sabine Hill. Duration 25 minutes.
Saturday, July 8 th
9:00-11:00 a.m., 1:30-3:30 p.m. “Visit Fort Watauga” –Interpretive staff will be on hand to
share the history of Fort Watauga and everyday life on the frontier. Meet in Fort Watauga.
11:00 a.m. “Music at the Mansion” – Join Andrea Price as she plays some popular tunes to
come from the Colonial Period on her banjo. Popular songs include “Yankee Doodle”,
“Alouette”, and more. Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Firearms of the 18 th century” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates how
firearms of the 18 th century function as well as describes their construction. Meet at Sabine Hill.
Duration: 20 minutes.
Tuesday, July 11 th
9:00 a.m. “Dress Like a Frontiersman” – Dress to impress your fellow freedom fighters by
taking part in this opportunity to try on colonial clothing. Join Andrea Price as she discusses the
clothing that would have been worn around the time of the American Revolution and get a
chance to dress up. This program is recommended for ages 5 to 13. Meet at the park visitor’s
center. Duration: 30 minutes.
11:00 a.m. “Inkle Loom Weaving” – The inkle loom provided settlers with a way to make
strap material for sashes, powder horns, bags, belts, and garters. Join Slade Nakoff as he
demonstrates how straps would have been woven on the East Tennessee frontier. Meet at Sabine
Hill. Duration 20 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Riddle Me This” – “When I first appear I seem mysterious, but when I am
explained I am nothing serious. What am I?” Riddles are an ancient oral tradition found across
the world including right here in Appalachia. Join Andrea Price as she explores the history of
riddles in the region and try your hand at answering a few traditional ones. Meet at the Carter
Mansion. Duration: 20 minutes.

1:30 p.m. “The Colonial Gunsmith” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates the work of a
gunsmith during the 18 th century, along with methods of the trade. Meet in the park visitor’s
center. Duration 30 minutes.
Wednesday July 12 th
9:00 a.m. “Finger Weaving” – Finger weaving is a technique that has been used by Native
American groups for thousands of years. Join Andrea Price as she works on finger weaving a
strap and shares the history of the technique. Meet at the park visitor’s center. Duration: 30
minutes.
11:00 a.m. “Carpentry of the Federal Period” –Humans have utilized wood to create various
kinds of objects and shelters since the dawn of time. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates and
describes methods of carpentry specific to the settlement period of East Tennessee. Meet at
Sabine Hill. Duration 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Frontier Fashion: A Look at Colonial Women’s Clothing” – Women’s fashion
has changed drastically since the first settlement of East Tennessee. Join Andrea Price as she
discusses women’s clothing in the 18th century and how it accommodated life on the frontier.
Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 20 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Painting the Past”- In a period before cameras made capturing a moment
commonplace, painters were employed with the task of constructing representations of the
people and places in which they inhabited. Slade Nakoff will be demonstrating and describing
painting techniques employed by the old masters to create mementos of the present, even on the
frontier. Meet in the park visitor’s center. Duration 30 minutes.
Thursday July 13 th
9:00 a.m. “Colonial Music” – Join Andrea Price as she plays some popular tunes to come
from the Colonial Period on her banjo. Popular songs include “Yankee Doodle”, “Alouette”, and
more. Meet at the park visitor’s center. Duration: 30 minutes.
11:00 a.m. “Scrimshaw, what is that?” –Join Slade Nakoff as he discusses the 18 th century
American art of scrimshaw and its history as well as demonstrates different techniques and
methods. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Hat Making” –Headwear has always been an area for those on the cutting edge
of fashion trends to modify and make their own. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates hat
making during the 18 th Century and its impact on the edge of colonial society. Meet in the park
visitor’s center. Duration 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Storytime at the Mansion” – Storytelling is an art with a rich tradition in
Appalachia. Join Andrea Price as she reads folktales from around the region on the steps of the
oldest frame house in Tennessee. Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 30 minutes.
Friday July 14 th
9:00 a.m. “History Hike” – Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is situated on land rich with
state and national history. Join Andrea Price as she travels down the park’s half-mile loop
walking trail and hear about the events that make Sycamore Shoals so special. Sturdy footwear
appropriate for the gravel path is recommended. Meet at the park visitor’s center. Duration: 1
hour.

11:00 a.m. “Carpentry of the Federal Period” –Humans have utilized wood to create various
kinds of objects and shelters since the dawn of time. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates and
describes methods of carpentry specific to the settlement period of East Tennessee. Meet at
Sabine Hill. Duration 30 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Firearms of the 18 th century” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates how
firearms of the 18 th century function as well as describes their construction. Meet in the park
visitor’s center. Duration: 20 minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Personalized Pockets” – The pocket is a staple piece of any colonial woman’s
wardrobe. Join Andrea Price as she discusses and demonstrates the art of personalizing pockets
with embroidered detailing. Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 30 minutes.
Saturday July 15 th
9:00-11:00 a.m., 1:30-3:30 p.m. “Visit Fort Watauga” –Interpretive staff will be on hand to
share the history of Fort Watauga and everyday life on the frontier. Meet in Fort Watauga.
11:00 a.m. “Tartan and Trade: Scottish Culture on the Frontier” –As people move from one
location to another, often they retain and reestablish their cultural heritage within the new
geographic region. Join Slade Nakoff as he discusses and demonstrates aspects of Scottish
culture which settlers brought with them to the frontier. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration 25
minutes.
1:30 p.m. “Cemetery Symbolism” – Death and mourning practices differ across customs and
time periods, but many aspects have carried over into current tradition. Join Andrea Price as she
discusses funerary and mourning practices common in the 18th century while searching for
symbols in the Carter Family Cemetery. Meet at the Carter Mansion. Duration: 30 minutes.

Visitors Center Hours:

9:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday – Saturday (Closed 11:00 am -12:00 pm)

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm Sunday

Our Visitor’s Center is closed on most State holidays. Park grounds open from dawn until dusk.
In the event of extremely inclement weather, contact the park regarding closings

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
1651 W. Elk Avenue- Elizabethton, TN 37643

423-543-5808

Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion
1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Sabine Hill State Historic Site
2328 West G Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
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