Death Comes to Sabine Hill

Candlelight Tours Featuring Early American Death & Mourning Customs

On October 20 th and 21 st Sabine Hill State Historic Site in Elizabethton, TN will present “Death
Comes to Sabine Hill”, a unique event designed to resurrect many of the forgotten traditions
associated with death and mourning in early America. Visitors will experience these mysterious
customs firsthand through special after-hours tours of the historic Taylor House.

Two centuries ago, our ancestors perceived death and mourning quite differently than we do.
Today, we push through the funeral process as quickly as possible. Those who came before us,
however, took a much more intimate approach. Disease, war, infant mortality, and other causes
meant that death was a persistent companion especially before the days of modern medical
advancement. Prior to the advent of funeral homes, the process of preparing a deceased family
member for burial was carried out at home, and all manner of traditions, superstitions, and
ceremonies that had been practiced in the old world continued here in the new. These ancient
funeral customs and mourning rituals, many of which may seem bizarre and macabre today, have
been all but forgotten. At “Death Comes to Sabine Hill” visitors can learn more about these
traditions and see just how differently death was viewed and accepted in the past.

These special candlelight tours will occur on Friday, October 20 th and Saturday, October 21st,
and offer guests a chance to experience the historic Taylor House after dark! Visitors will pay
their respects to the deceased at the wake and meet historically dressed interpreters throughout
the house who will talk about the funeral customs and mourning rituals of days gone by. As the
tour progresses outdoors, guests will visit with the coffin maker, grave digger, professional
mourner, and resurrectionist as they share the professions associated with death & funerals in
Early America. These tours deal with subject matter that may be too sensitive for younger
visitors. Parental discretion is advised. Tour times are 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, & 8:30 pm
each night. Admission is $14.00 per individual. Pre-registration is required. Tickets can be
purchased at tnstateparks.com/parks/events/sycamore-shoals.

Please be advised that Sabine Hill State Historic Site only offers portable restroom facilities at
this time. The historic house is only accessible by steps and an interior staircase. This event is
subject to cancellation in the event of significantly inclement weather. Sabine Hill State Historic
Site is located at 2328 West G St. Elizabethton, TN 37643. For more information about this and
other exciting events please contact Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park at 423-543-5808 or
visit sycamoreshoalstn.wordpress.com, tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals, or
facebook.com/sycamore-shoals.

Sabine Hill State Historic Site is operated through a partnership between the Tennessee
Historical Commission and Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park.