Independence on the Frontier / Militia Muster

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park

Friday, June 28^th through Sunday, June 30^th    

Step back in time 243 years to a colorful revolutionary world and witness life as it was on the 18^th century frontier during a very tumultuous time. In the summer of 1776 colonial leaders met in Philadelphia to draft a document that would forever change the world. As our guest to Fort Watauga, you too can be part of the excitement as news of American Independence reaches the colonial frontier. What did the colonists think about a new nation? Walk among historical characters and hear their varied reactions to the Declaration, from fear of war to the hope of a brighter future.

The celebration kicks off at 6:30 PM on Friday, June 28^th with a concert entitled “Echoes of Independence: An Evening with The Sons of Liberty” presented in ‘The Gathering Place’ of the Sycamore Shoals Visitors Center. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park invites you to take a musical journey back in time to the 18th century and join brothers Joshua, Daniel, & Noah Smith, known as The Sons of Liberty, for a delightful evening of historic songs and stories. From lively jigs and reels, to flowing classical sounds; The Sons of Liberty bring to life the music of the 18th century through their mastery of the violin, viola, and cello.

Come hear the sounds and songs that entertained and inspired our country’s founding generation, and get an early start on your 4th of July celebrations! A reception including light refreshments will follow the concert.

Evening Schedule:

6:30 – Doors Open

7:00 – The Sons of Liberty

8:00 – Reception

8:30 – Close

Admission to the concert is $7.00. Pre-registration is required. Please log on to the following website to register and purchase tickets – www.tnstateparks.com/parks/events/sycamore-shoals. Cash payments may be made at the park office during regular business hours prior to June 28^th.

The celebration continues throughout the weekend as the Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia, host living history organization at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, will be encamped in and around Fort Watauga. The militia muster will include a myriad of activities throughout the weekend allowing guests the opportunity to step back in time and experience daily life on the colonial frontier in 1776. The highlight of the weekend will be a special reading of the Declaration of Independence given each day inside Fort Watauga. The Events on Saturday and Sunday are free and open to the public.

Get an early start on your Independence celebrations and bring the entire family out for a weekend full of history, patriotism, education, and family fun. The event will run from 10:00 until 4:00 on Saturday, June 29^th and 10:00 until 3:00 on Sunday, June 30^th.   Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is located at 1651 W. Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN 37643. For more information about Sycamore Shoals please contact the park at 423-543-5808 or log on to these websites: www.sycamoreshoalstn.org or https://tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals.

Independence on the Frontier: Schedule of Events

Friday, June 28^th

“Echoes of Independence: An Evening Concert with the Sons of Liberty”

Fee and pre-registration required

6:30pm – Doors Open

7:00 –  The Sons of Liberty

8:00 –  Reception

8:30 –  Close

Saturday, June 29^th

10:00 – Posting the Colours:  Start the day off with a bang as the militia falls in for inspection

and posts the flag with a patriotic ceremony.

11:00 – Patience Cooper – Enterprising Woman of the Frontier: Join Ramona at the Cock &

 Bull Publick House in Fort Watauga to hear the intrepid story of Patience Cooper.

12:00 – Artillery Drill and Demonstration: Learn about 18^th century artillery as the Militia

fires the Fort’s 3 Pounder.

1:00 –  Food Through Time: Join Laura in the fort as she stirs up some culinary history. Enjoy

a taste of the past as she tells how today’s food is influenced by 18^th century culture.

2:00 –  Reading of the Declaration of Independence: Join in the excitement as the document

declaring our freedom from Great Britain is read publicly inside Fort Watauga.

2:30 –  ‘Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness – 243 Years Later”: Join Mr. Simerly for

a look at the legacy of those stirring words from the Declaration of Independence.

3:00 –  Fifes & Drums: The Watauga Valley Fife & Drum Corps will perform martial and

field music of the Revolutionary War era.

3:30 –  Militia Drill: The Washington County Militia demonstrates the tactics and firearms used

during the Revolutionary War.

4:00 –  Camps Close to the Public: Join us tomorrow for another exciting day of 18^th century

living history.

Sunday, June 30^th       

10:00 – Posting the Colours:  Start the day off with a bang as the militia falls in for inspection

and posts the flag with a patriotic ceremony.

10:30 – Worship Service: Join us for Sunday Service held inside Fort Watauga.  

12:30 – Patience Cooper – Enterprising Woman of the Frontier: Join Ramona at the Cock &

 Bull Publick House in Fort Watauga to hear the intrepid story of Patience Cooper.

1:00 –  Artillery Drill and Demonstration: Learn about 18^th century artillery as the Militia fires

the fort’s 3 Pounder.

1:30 –  “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness – 243 Years Later”: Join Mr. Simerly for       a look at the legacy of those stirring words from the Declaration of Independence.

2:00 –  Reading of the Declaration of Independence: Join in the excitement as the document

declaring our freedom from Great Britain is read publicly inside Fort Watauga.

2:30 –  Fifes & Drums: The Watauga Valley Fife & Drum Corps will perform martial and field

music of the Revolutionary War era.

3:00 –  Militia Drill & Retiring the Colours: The Washington County Militia demonstrates the

tactics and firearms used during the Revolutionary War, then retires the flag. Event

Closed.

Ongoing Activities Throughout the Weekend Will Include…

Open Hearth Cooking, 18^th Century Weaponry, Medicinal Herbs and Plants, Militia Camps, Colonial Era Music, Frontier Fort Life, and Much More!!!

*Schedule is subject to change or cancellation in the event of inclement weather