History at Home

Friday July 2 nd
10:30 a.m. “Scrimshaw, What is That?” –Join Slade Nakoff as he discusses the 18 th century
pass time art of scrimshaw and its history as well as demonstrating different techniques and
methods. Meet in front of the fort. Duration: 30 minutes.

2:00 p.m. “Meet with a Continental Soldier” –Come meet a continental soldier an hear
about life in Washington's Army. Hear about everyday life and duty in camp and the hardships
that a common soldier would have faced and learn reasons why he enlisted and what he fought
for. See and handle the weapons and equipment that a common soldier would have used.
Presented by Matthew Simerly inside the fort. Duration: 30 minutes.

Saturday July 3 rd
10:30 a.m. “Kids Militia” – Join Matthew Simerly in this fun, hands on activity for kids
from 5 to 12. The kids will meet up in the fort where Matthew will tell them about the role a
Militia unit had in the Revolutionary War and then lead them through the basic drill that a
Militiaman would learn. This program will be about 30 minutes long for a group of 15 kids.
2:00 p.m. “Tartan Weaving” –Join Slade Nakoff as he begins the journey of creating tartan
fabric on a floor loom just as it would have been done during the 18 th century. He will begin with
a simple check and progress onwards towards more complex tartans.

Sunday July 4 th
10:30 a.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 visitor’s
center. Duration: 20 minutes.

2:00 p.m. “Starting a Fire with Flint and Steel” –Learn how to start a fire with flint and
steel great for backpackers and hikers. Join seasonal interpretive ranger Matthew Simerly as he
shows you how to make a fire quickly and easily. Matthew will show you where to find fire
tinder in the woods and how to keep an ember alive until you can build a fire from it.

Wednesday July 7 th
10:30 a.m. “Chat with a Longhunter” –Meet and talk with a longhunter as he tells why he
would risk life and limb beyond the frontier hunting for over a year at a time. Hear as he explains
what he does day-to-day and the dangers he faces. Learn how the longhunters opened the lands
beyond the Appalachian Mountains for settlers to follow in their footsteps. Presented by
Matthew Simerly inside Fort Watauga. Duration 30 minutes.

2:00 p.m. “Celtic Music of the 18 th Century” –Join Slade Nakoff in a journey throughout the
18 th century, meandering through Celtic songs that were typical of the 18 th century musical taste.
Meet at the visitor’s center. Duration: 25 minutes.

Thursday July 8 th
10:30 a.m. “Making Thread Buttons” –During the 18 th century sometimes buttons took
different forms. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates how thread buttons were made and
discusses their application.

2:00 p.m. “Chat with a Longhunter” – Meet and talk with a longhunter as he tells why he
would risk life and limb beyond the frontier hunting for over a year at a time. Hear as he explains
what he does day-to-day and the dangers he faces. Learn how the longhunters opened the lands
beyond the Appalachian Mountains for settlers to follow in their footsteps. Presented by
Matthew Simerly inside Fort Watauga. Duration 30 minutes.

Friday July 9 th
10:30 a.m. “Kids Militia” – Join Matthew Simerly in this fun, hands on activity for kids
from 5 to 12. The kids will meet up in the fort where Matthew will tell them about the role a
Militia unit had in the Revolutionary War and then lead them through the basic drill that a
Militiaman would learn. This program will be about 30 minutes long for a group of 15 kids.
2:00 p.m. “Tartan Weaving” –Join Slade Nakoff as he begins the journey of creating tartan
fabric on a floor loom just as it would have been done during the 18 th century. He will begin with
a simple check and progress onwards towards more complex tartans.

Saturday July 10 th
10:30 “A Shoemakers Work” –During the 18 th century shoes were a process to make.
Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates and describes the everyday work of a cobbler during the
18 th century while he continues work on a pair of colonial shoes. This event will be held inside
the fort. Duration: 30 minutes.

2:00 pm. “Meet with a Continental Soldier” – Come meet a continental soldier an hear
about life in Washington's Army. Hear about everyday life and duty in camp and the hardships
that a common soldier would have faced and learn reasons why he enlisted and what he fought
for. See and handle the weapons and equipment that a common soldier would have used.
Presented by Matthew Simerly inside the fort. Duration: 30 minutes.

Sunday July 11 th
10:30 “Dress to Impress” – Fashion was just as important to people in the 1770s as it is
for people today, the only difference being that the rules and styles were not the same. From hats
to shoes seasonal interpretive ranger Matthew Simerly will show the ins and outs of the fashion
of 1770s and what men would have worn, from a gentleman in good standing to pioneers on the
frontier.

2:00 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 visitor’s
center. Duration: 20 minutes.