Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park: History at Home

History at Home

Summer Ranger Programs – July 2019

Seasonal Interpretive Rangers – Ian Anderson & Laura Ellis

HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS

EVERY WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

11:00 a.m.  The Carter Mansion Tour—– Join Ian Anderson on a fascinating journey while we explore the amazing history of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, the Carter Mansion.

2:00 p.m.  Sabine Hill Tour—— Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks about the family that built today’s Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley.

SUNDAY:  Sabine Hill tours will be 1:00 p.m.

The Carter Mansion tours will be at 3:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is required for Historic House Tours–

Go to www.tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals

Choose “Upcoming Events” in the left hand menu to register online.

Paying with Cash? – Come to the park Visitor Center during regular operating hours to purchase tickets.

Registration closes at midnight the night before the program scheduled.

Maximum group size of 16 per tour.

Admission is $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 7-17. Children 6 and under are free!

July 2019 –  Week 1

Wednesday, July 3^rd

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.             “Women on the Frontier.” Sit down and learn all about the daily lifestyle of working ladies and upper-class women in 18^th Century South. Interpreter Laura Ellis will hold casual discussions on what women wore, etiquette, and the chores that were done in order to keep her household in order. This event will be held inside the fort.

2 p.m.              “Land Navigation”     Join Ian for some fun outside as we learn how to preform basic land navigation using a compass or various tricks in nature!

Thursday, July 4^th

1:30 p.m.         “Fort Watauga Tour”        Join Ian inside Fort Watauga for a fun and educational tour of the famous fort.

10 am – 1:00 pm          “Let the Colonial Games Begin!” In the 18^th Century, kids would invent many different games to help pass their time when they weren’t attending school. Laura Ellis will be bringing those games to the 21^st Century in the field along the trail. Bring your children, set up a picnic, and enjoy the day watching and participating in colonial games!

Friday, July 5^th

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.            “Oh, Butter!” Join Laura Ellis inside the fort for an interactive experience! Have you ever made butter before? Why was a simple ingredient so necessary for families? Discover all of these answers, and get your hands dirty as you take a tour through the creation and usage of butter.

1:30 p.m.                       “Fort Watauga Tour”  Join Ian inside Fort Watauga for a fun and educational tour of the famous fort.

Saturday, July 6^th

2p.m.                 “Picture Bingo Scavenger Hunt”……..Join Ian Anderson for an exciting time packed with education and fun as we explore Sycamore Shoals State Park with a bingo scavenger hunt activity. If interested, Please meet Ian in the Visitors Center at 2 p.m.  NOTE: Please bring a digital picture taking device (cell phone, or camera).

11 a.m.             “Colonial Culture.” Laura Ellis will be in the fort with interactive learning for kids of all ages. Come and hang out while enjoying the ways of 18^th Century life.

Sunday, July 7^th

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                        “Period Project Runway.” Laura Ellis will be offering a demonstration on 18^th and 19^th Century attire, and how the fashion industry shaped early American society and trade. There are more layers than you think!

1:30 p.m.    “Fort Watauga Tour”        Join Ian inside Fort Watauga for a fun and educational tour of the famous fort.

Week 2

Wednesday, July 10^th

3 p.m.                          “I Make Fire & All Tied Up!” Are you up for the challenge of experiencing what it took to survive for the early settlers? Come join Laura Ellis for an educational and exciting time of making, starting, and keeping a fire from scratch! Admission is free. Participants are to meet Laura at 3:00 p.m. inside Fort Watauga. While you make fire, Ian will be teaching you how to make basic survival knots for any occasion!

Thursday, July 11^th

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                        “18^th Century Medicine.” Home remedies have been passed down through generations. However, we can be thankful that colonial medicine has gone extinct. Join Laura Ellis in the fort to see some old fixes to regular ailments, and possibly try some for yourself!

2 p.m.            “Don’t Stress”     Unwind as we join Ian Anderson and enjoy the beautiful nature of Sycamore Shoals while crafting our very own “stress-balls”. What better way to relieve stress and enjoy the outdoors?!

Friday, July 12^th

2p.m.                 “Picture Bingo Scavenger Hunt”……..Join Ian Anderson for an exciting time packed with education and fun as we explore Sycamore Shoals State Park with a bingo scavenger hunt activity. If interested, Please meet Ian in the Visitors Center at 2 p.m.  NOTE: Please bring a digital picture taking device (cell phone, or camera).

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                        “Period Project Runway.” Laura Ellis will be offering a demonstration on 18^th and 19^th Century attire, and how the fashion industry shaped early American society and trade. There are more layers than you think!

Saturday, July 13^th

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                        “Water Critter Catcher!” Laura Ellis will be hosting a ‘critter hunt’ along the trail. Tennessee’s waterways are prime areas for animals small and large to build their homes and hideouts. The mission is to discover those creatures and the benefits they bring to the region. If interested, please meet Laura on the back porch of the visitor’s center. Catching equipment will be provided and individuals should prepare to get wet. Children welcome!

2 p.m.                    “Bad Interpretation”…….. If you are in the mood for a light hearted tour , join Ian Anderson on a fun filled comedy tour of really bad interpretation of the park and the neat beauty within it.

Sunday, July 14^th

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.              “Morning of Birdsong.” Come along with Laura Ellis for a morning of birding around the grounds and along the trail. Life can be hectic, and a robin feathering his nest has very little time to rest. But this experience brings out the peaceful silence of a morning without the noisy bustle of morning crowds. Admission is free. Participants are to meet Laura at 9:00 a.m. on the back porch of the visitor’s center. Please provide your own binoculars and other equipment as you choose.

1 p.m.       “Tomahawk Throwing”     Want to learn to throw a tomahawk like the Cherokee? Join Ian Anderson for the highly interactive program!

Week 3

Wednesday, July 17^th

2 p.m.                “Look Out!”      Join Ian on educational program of learning the things to “look out” for in nature, such as venomous snakes and Poisonous plants and more! Meet Ian in the Visitor Center at 2 p.m.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.               “Let the Colonial Games Begin!” In the 18^th Century, kids would invent many different games to help pass their time when they weren’t attending school. Laura Ellis will be bringing those games to the 21^st Century in the field along the trail. Bring your children, set up a picnic, and enjoy the day watching and participating in colonial games!

Thursday, July 18^th

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.             “Pollinators and Pests.”            Are pesky bees getting in the way of your July fun? Do you find yourself swerving to avoid opossum remains on the road? These seemingly useless creatures actually play an important role for us in improving our health and food! Join Laura Ellis in the fort to talk about East Tennessee pests and their importance.

2p.m.                 “Picture Bingo Scavenger Hunt”……..Join Ian Anderson for an exciting time packed with education and fun as we explore Sycamore Shoals State Park with a bingo scavenger hunt activity. If interested, Please meet Ian in the Visitors Center at 2 p.m.  NOTE: Please bring a digital picture taking device (cell phone, or camera).

Friday, July 19^th

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.            “Food Through Time.” Laura Ellis will be inside the Fort stirring up some history. Food history, that is! You are invited to join her inside one of the cabins and eat as she tells of how food has changed throughout the years, and the many cultures of the 18^th century that surround different recipes today. Please come and fill your belly as well as your brain!

2 p.m.                 “Don’t Stress”     Unwind as we join Ian Anderson and enjoy the beautiful nature of Sycamore Shoals while crafting our very own “stress-balls”. What better way to relieve stress and enjoy the outdoors?!

Saturday, July 20^th

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.            “Water Critter Catcher!” Laura Ellis will be hosting a ‘critter hunt’ along the trail. Tennessee’s waterways are prime areas for animals small and large to build their homes and hideouts. The mission is to discover those creatures and the benefits they bring to the region. If interested, please meet Laura on the back porch of the visitor’s center. Catching equipment will be provided and individuals should prepare to get wet. Children welcome!

2 p.m.           “Bad Interpretation”……..If you are in the mood for a light hearted tour, Join Ian Anderson on a fun filled comedic tour of really bad interpretation of the park and the neat beauty within it.

Sunday, July 21^st

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.            “Oh, Butter!” Join Laura Ellis inside the fort for an interactive experience! Have you ever made butter before? Why was a simple ingredient so necessary for families? Discover all of these answers, and get your hands dirty as you take a tour through the creation and usage of butter.

1 p.m.      “Emergency Nature Whistles!”     Join Ian as we learn how to find and make emergency whistles in nature. Who knows, it may save your life!  If interested join Ian in the visitors center at 1 p.m.

3 p.m.       “All Tied Up”         Join Ian as he teaches basic knots you can use for rescue, survival, or just simple day to day activities.

Week 4

Wednesday, July 24^th

9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.                         “Sabine Spiritualism.” The 19^th Century witnessed many cultural changes. Many things that were once shunned upon became a popular way of life for many Americans, including the Spiritualist Movement. Laura Ellis will be hosting a late evening inside Sabine Hill, discussing burial rituals, mourning, and the obsession with life after death.

2 p.m.      “Look Out!”      Join Ian on educational program of learning the things to “look out” for in nature, such as venomous snakes and Poisonous plants and more! Meet Ian in the Visitor Center at 2 p.m.

Thursday, July 25^th

11 a.m.             “Colonial Culture.” Laura Ellis will be in the fort with interactive learning for kids of all ages. Come and hang out while enjoying the ways of 18^th Century life.

1 p.m.       “Tomahawk Throwing”     Want to learn to throw a tomahawk like the Cherokee? Join Ian Anderson for the highly interactive program!

Friday, July 26^th

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.             “Pollinators and Pests.”            Are pesky bees getting in the way of your July fun? Do you find yourself swerving to avoid opossum remains on the road? These seemingly useless creatures actually play an important role for us in improving our health and food! Join Laura Ellis in the fort to talk about East Tennessee pests and their importance.

2p.m.                 “Picture Bingo Scavenger Hunt”……..Join Ian Anderson for an exciting time packed with education and fun as we explore Sycamore Shoals State Park with a bingo scavenger hunt activity. If interested, Please meet Ian in the Visitors Center at 2 p.m.  NOTE: Please bring a digital picture taking device (cell phone, or camera).

Saturday, July 27^th

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.                        “18^th Century Medicine.” Home remedies have been passed down through generations. However, we can be thankful that colonial medicine has gone extinct. Join Laura Ellis in the fort to see some old fixes to regular ailments, and possibly try some for yourself!

2 p.m.                   “Bad Interpretation”…….. If you are in the mood for a light hearted tour, join Ian Anderson on a fun filled comedy tour of really bad interpretation of the park and the neat beauty within it.

Sunday, July 28^th

1 p.m.      “Emergency Nature Whistles!”     Join Ian as we learn how to find and make emergency whistles in nature. Who knows, it may save your life!  If interested join Ian in the visitors center at 1 p.m.

Week 5

Wednesday, July 31^st

2 p.m.        “Land Navigation”     Join Ian for some fun outside as we learn how to preform basic land navigation using a compass or various tricks in nature.

Special Events in July

An Afternoon of Early 19^th Century Dance with the Sabine Hill Social Society

Sunday, July 7                                                                              1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are all welcome!  The afternoon will include English Country Dance and early American dance techniques.

Summer Art Show with Watauga Valley Art League        

Art Show and Sale: July11 – July 28

Meet-the-Artist Awards Reception: Sunday, July 14                  1:30 – 4:00 pm

This multi-media exhibit is two art shows in one:  “16^th Annual Judged show” and the “24th Annual Watauga Valley Art League Member show”. Public is invited to the July 14^th Reception and to enjoy the art exhibit all month.

Old Time Music Jam – Led by Art Lang

Sunday, July 21                                                                            1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month.  Old time musicians of all levels are welcome.  Don’t play and instrument?  Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!

Liberty: The Saga of Sycamore Shoals – Our 41st Year!

Thursday – Saturday, July 11 – 13, 18 – 20 & 25 – 27                 7:30 pm

Celebrate the 40th Year of Tennessee’s official outdoor drama, presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men: colonists who defied British law and settled on Cherokee lands. These settlers formed an independent government, made treaties with the Cherokee, defended their homes, and fought a British army at the epic battle of King’s Mountain. Bleacher seating is available in the amphitheater. Liberty is sponsored by Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.

Advance Ticket Sales: www.thelibertydrama.com