Upcoming Events
From music festivals, racing, history, heritage, food and everything in between. Here's your guide.
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Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park: Seasonal Interpreter Programs
August 1, 2020 - August 16, 2020
Seasonal Interpreter Programs: Aug. 1 st β Aug. 16 th
***In keeping with CDC guidelines to prevent Covid-19, we can host programs for groups of 10 or
less, therefore, all guests MUST register in advance for the listed programs. We encourage attendees
to bring masks and keep 6 feet apart from other guests. Thank you for your understanding and
cooperation***
Registration required: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals or by calling 423-543-5808.
Saturday, August 1 st
10:30 a.m. βMusic on the FrontierβΒ β Join Taylor Moorefield and hearΒ historyΒ come alive
through song! Taylor will play songs and tunes from the 18 th Β century and discuss the ways the
settlers made music, and the important role it played in their daily lives. Meet in the visitor
center. Duration: 30 minutes.
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
Sunday, August 2 nd
1:30 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
3:00 pm. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Duration: 1 hour.
Wednesday, August 5 th
10:30 a.m. βBasic & Advanced Fire startingβ- Β Join Taylor Moorefield in a thorough
approach to building fires for campouts or hiking adventures. Safety, fire structures, gathering
tinder and kindling, making fire in rain or snow, natural fire starters from bark and tree sap, fire
by friction, flint & steel, plus modern methods with lighters, ferro rods, batteries, trioxane, and
more. Topics and difficulty level will be based on experience level of attendees. All ages
welcome! Meet at the Longhunter Camp, directly below and to the left of Fort Watauga in the
pine forest. Duration: 1 hour.
Wednesday, August 5th continuedβ¦β¦
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
2:30 p.m. βFood Through Timeβ β Laura Ellis will be inside Fort Wataugaβs second cabin
stirring up some history- food history, that is! You are invited to join her inside the second cabin
as she tells of how food was prepared and preserved in the 18 th Century, and the cultures that
influenced todayβs culinary favorites. Please come and fill your brain! *Guests are prohibited
from consuming this programβs food, so please eat beforehand* Duration: 30 minutes.
Thursday, August 6 th
10:30 a.m. βColonial Menβs Etiquetteβ Join Taylor Moorefield in the visitor center for a fun
and fascinating look at how men were expected to behave in the 1800s. From high society
manners to fashion, to Native American culture and trends, we will explore all manner of
etiquette from the colonists and natives. Duration: 30-45 minutes.
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
3:00 p.m. βWomen on the Frontierβ β Sit down and learn all about the daily lifestyle of
young ladies, upper-class women, and the working housewife in 18 th Century South. Laura Ellis
will hold casual discussions on what women wore, etiquette, and daily chores that were done in
order to keep the home in order. This event will be held in the second cabin inside the fort. *Due
to CDC guidelines, this program is limited to 5 people.* Duration: 30 minutes.
Friday, August 7 th
10:30 a.m. β18 th Β Century Coffee!βΒ βΒ Coffee, anyone? This amazing drink of the modern
world has a long and fascinatingΒ history! Learn about the origins of coffee, how it made its way
to the New World, and how the settlers of our area would have prepared and enjoyed this drink
during the Revolutionary War period. All ages welcome. Meet at Fort Watauga, located behind
the visitor center. Duration: 30 minutes.
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
Friday, August 7th continuedβ¦.
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
2:30 p.m. βCreek Crawlβ β Laura Ellis will be hosting a βcritter huntβ along the trail.
Tennesseeβs waterways are prime area for animals large and small to build their homes and
hideouts. The mission is to those creatures and the benefits they bring to the region. Please meet
Laura at the butterfly garden if interested. Catching equipment will be provided and individuals
should prepare to get wet. Children Welcome! Duration: 1 hour.
Saturday, August 8 th
10:30 a.m. βUseful Plants of AppalachiaβΒ β Join Taylor Moorefield on an easy hike through
our trails along the beautiful Watauga River. On the hike we will identify and discuss many
plants, trees and flowers along the trail, and any edible and/or medicinal uses they offer.
Traditional uses by Cherokee and settlers will also be discussed. Plant lovers,Β historyΒ enthusiasts,
and self-sufficiency buffs alike will enjoy this program! All ages welcome. Bring water and
dress for the weather. Meet at Fort Watauga, located directly behind the visitor center. Duration:
45 minutes to 1 hour.
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
3:00 p.m. βLet the Colonial Games Begin!β β In the 18 th Century, kids would invent many
different games to pass their time. Laura Ellis will be bringing those games to the 21 st Century in
the field by the butterfly garden, so bring your children, set up a picnic, and enjoy the day
watching or participating in colonial games! Duration: 1 hour.
Sunday, August 9 th
1:30 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
3:00 pm. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Duration: 1 hour.
Wednesday, August 12 th
10:30 a.m. βFifes and Drums β War Music of the RevolutionβΒ Learn all about the Fife and
Drum corps of the Revolutionary War β a vital part of most battles during the time period. You
will get to see authentic reproductions of rope-tension snare drums, fifes and bass drums. Join
Taylor Moorefield in the visitor center. All ages welcome!
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
3:00 p.m. βFrontier Fire-Startingβ β Before settlers arrived, the native Cherokee had their
own ways of creating fire for survival. With early European influence, other means of fire-
making crossed the sea to the New World. Taylor Moorefield and Laura Ellis will be
demonstrating the varieties of primitive and paleolithic fire-starting methods practiced on the
frontier. Duration: 30 minutes.
Thursday, August 13 th
10:30 a.m. Β βDo Not Forget Your Knots!βΒ β Taylor Moorefield will demonstrate and discuss
several useful knots for camping, shelter building and utility uses. You will get a chance to learn
and practice these knots if you choose. Meet in the visitor center lobby, and we will walk outside
as a group, weather permitting. Otherwise the program will be in the visitor center. Ages 10 and
up.
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
Friday, August 14 th
10:30 a.m. Β βFlintlock DemoβΒ Take a closer look at the flintlock rifle and musket β the
standard hunting tools and weapons of war from the Revolutionary War period! Learn all about
theΒ historyΒ of this significant weapon, the different types of firearms from the period, and see one
fire in real life. Meet in Fort Watauga, located behind the visitor center. All ages welcome.
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
Friday, August 14th continuedβ¦..
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
Saturday, August 15 th
10:30 a.m. Β βHow To Pack For An Adventureβ β Come learn basic and advanced backpacking
tips, often forgotten items, things youΒ donβtΒ need, and how to ensure youβre ready for your
adventure into the woods β whether itβs for a day or a week! Weβll cover minimalist approaches
all the way up to your own luxurious vacation in nature. All ages welcome. Meet at the visitor
center lobby. Duration: 45 minutes-1 hour.
11:30 a.m. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Meet at Sabine Hill. Duration: 1 hour.
2:00 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
3:00 p.m. βColonial Letter-Writingβ In todayβs world of media, the traditional act of letter
writing is increasingly less practiced. Laura Ellis will demonstrate the art behind the main source
of communication on the frontier, including formal etiquette, wax stamping, and the varieties of
message sending during the Revolutionary War. Please meet inside the visitorβs center gathering
place. Duration: 30 minutes.
Sunday, August 16 th
1:30 p.m. βCarter Mansion House Tourβ β Join Seasonal Interpreter Taylor Moorefield and
take a tour of the oldest frame house in Tennessee, home to Landon and Elizabeth Carter β two
prominent settlers of the Carter Family who built their home here in the late 1770s. Learn all
about the Carters and their fascinating place in the history of our area. Duration: 1 hour.
3:00 pm. βSabine Hill House Tourβ β Join Laura Ellis on a walk through time as she talks
about the Taylor family who built todayβs Sabine Hill, and the founders of Happy Valley while
exploring their restored home. Duration: 1 hour.
If you would like to receive updated information throughout the year, please send your email address to
jennifer.bauer@tn.gov
Visitors Center Hours:
9:00 am β 4:00 pm – Monday – Saturday (Closed for Lunch & Cleaning 11:30 am -1:30 pm)
1:00 pm β 4:30 pm Sunday
Our Visitors Center is closed on most State holidays. Park grounds open from dawn until dusk.
In the event of extremely inclement winter weather, contact the park about program cancelations and park office
closings.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park β 1651 W. Elk Avenue- Elizabethton, TN 37643
423-543-5808
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