Sycamore Shoals Summer Activities

Wednesday July 6 th
10:30 a.m. “A Chat with a Continental Soldier” –Matthew Simerly will explain the equipment of the common
soldier, their daily duty, and experiences. From the clothes they wore to the food they ate, see what the men
faced as they fought for our independence. Duration: 30 minutes.
2:00 p.m. “Fire starting” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates various ways of building fires as well as
common practices during the 18 th century. This event will be held inside fort Watauga Duration: 30 minutes.

Thursday July 7 th
10:30 a.m. “The Everyday Apprentice” –The road of an apprentice during the 18 th century was a hard one. Slade
Nakoff will be describing the everyday life of an apprentice and their trials and tribulations. Meet in the
visitor’s center. Duration: 30 minutes.
2:00 p.m. “For the Common Defenses” The Militia played a key part for both sides during the Revolutionary
War, from the Minute Men of Lexington and Concord to the Overmountain Men at King’s Mountain. But what
was the militia and who was in it? Join Matthew Simerly as he explains what the militia was, where it came
from, and how they helped gain our independence.

Friday July 8 th
10:30 a.m. “An English settler on the frontier” –Join Matthew Simerly as he gives a first-person interpretation
of Edward Little. He’ll tell about his early life in England, why his family moved to Virginia and how he feels
about the 13 colony’s ongoing war for independence.
2:00 p.m. “Quillwork” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates the process of quillwork, a predecessor to
beadwork achieved with porcupine quills. Meet in the visitor’s center. Duration: 30 minutes.

Saturday July 9 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 and describes their construction. Meet in the visitor’s center. Duration: 20 minutes.
2:00 p.m. “Moving to the Frontier” It was not easy moving into the Watauga Valley and leaving behind the
established towns and communities in North Carolina and Virginia. Join Matthew Simerly as he explains why
people came here and what they did to set up their new lives past the frontier line.

Sunday July 10 th
10:30 a.m. “Our Daily Bread” Join Matthew Simerly as he shares common bread recipes from the 1700s and
how you can to make them at home. This program is great if you are looking for new recipes to do in the
kitchen or are just interested in less talked about parts of history.
2:00 p.m. “Buckskin Breeches” –Buckskin short pants or “Knee breeches” were the blue jeans of the 18 th
century. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates the construction of such a garment while outlining the deerskin
trade along the frontier. This event will be held inside fort Watauga. Duration: 30 minutes.

Wednesday July 13 th
10:30 a.m. “Quillwork” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates the process of quillwork, a predecessor to
beadwork achieved with porcupine quills. Meet in the visitor’s center. Duration: 30 minutes.
2:00 p.m. “How to Start a Fire with Flint and Steel” –Join Matthew Simerly in the fort as he teaches you how
to build and start a fire with flint and steel just like the frontier settlers. Learn how make your fire-starting kit, a
useful skill for hikers, campers, and any outdoors loving person. Duration: 30 minutes.

Thursday July 14 th
10:30 a.m. “Dress to Impress, 1770s style” –Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man” and in the 1770s it
was especially true. Head up to the visitor’s center and listen to Matthew Simerly as he discusses the fashion of
the time and the function of those clothes. You’ll learn how social standing, ethnic background and
geographical region shaped how people dressed in the time of the American Revolution. Duration: 30 minutes.
2:00 p.m. “The Trials of Textiles” –The job which textiles played during the 18 th century was immense. Join
Slade Nakoff as he discusses the processing of animal and plant fibers into finished goods as well as their
impact on frontier life. Meet in the visitor’s center. Duration: 20 minutes.

Friday July 15 th
10:30 a.m. “Buckskin Breeches” –Buckskin short pants or “Knee breeches” were the blue jeans of the 18 th
century. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates the construction of such a garment while outlining the deerskin
trade along the frontier. This event will be held inside fort Watauga. Duration: 30 minutes.
2:00 p.m. “Kids Militia” –Calling all kids! Report to Fort Watauga for training under the command of Matthew
Simerly. Kids will learn about the Militia’s role in the American Revolution by experiencing the basic drill and
the equipment they used. This program allows kids to connect with their history in a fun and hands on way.
Ideal for kids 6 to 12. Duration: 30 minutes.

Saturday July 16 th
10:30 a.m. “For the Common Defenses” The Militia played a key part for both side during the Revolutionary
War, from the Minute Men of Lexington and Concord to the Overmountain Men at King’s Mountain. But what
was the militia and who was in it? Join Matthew Simerly as he explains what the militia was, where it came
from, and how they helped gain our independence.2:00 p.m. “Firearms of the 18 th century” –Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates how firearms of the 18 th century
function and describes their construction. Meet in the visitor’s center. Duration: 20 minutes.

Sunday July 17 th
10:30 a.m. “Bread from the Fire” –Bread during the 18 th century, as well as today, was a necessary component
of daily life. Come inside the fort and meet Slade Nakoff at the earthen oven as he describes the daily work of a
baker during the 18 th century. *Guests are prohibited from consuming this program’s food at this time, so please
eat beforehand* Duration: 25 minutes.

2:00 p.m. “A Chat with a Continental Soldier” –Today Matthew Simerly will explain the equipment of the
common soldier, their daily duty, and experiences. From the clothes they wore to the food they ate, see what the
men faced as they fought for our independence. Duration: 30 minutes.

Wednesday July 20 th
10:30 a.m. “Life on the frontier” Join Matthew Simerly as he gives a first-person interpretation of John
Campbell, a settler of the Watauga Valley from North Carolina. Come and listen as he tells about settling in the
frontier and building a new life in the wilderness away from the pressure of the british crown.
2:00 p.m. “The Composition of Form” –Art throughout time has been produced in a plethora of mediums. Join
Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates artistic practices common to the 18 th century. Meet in the visitor’s center.
Duration: 20 minutes.

Thursday July 21 st
10:30 a.m. “Working Leather” –Join Slade Nakoff as he discusses the leatherworking trade during the 18 th
century while demonstrating common methods and techniques of the time period. Meet in the visitor’s center.
Duration: 30 minutes
2:00 p.m. “Our Daily Bread” Join Matthew Simerly as he shares common bread recipes from the 1700s and
how you can to make them at home. This program is great if you are looking for new recipes to do in the
kitchen or are just interested in less talked about parts of history.

Friday July 22 nd
10:30 a.m. “For the Common Defenses” The Militia played a key part for both sides during the Revolutionary
War, from the Minute Men of Lexington and Concord to the Overmountain Men at King’s Mountain. But what
was the militia and who was in it? Join Matthew Simerly as he explains what the militia was, where it came
from, and how they helped gain our independence.
2:00 p.m. “The Tailors Apprentice” –Join Slade Nakoff as he discusses the tailors trade during the 18 th century
and its implications on frontier life while demonstrating methods common during the period. Meet in the
visitor’s center. Duration: 20 minutes.

Saturday July 23 rd
10:30 a.m. “Scrimshaw, what is that?” –Join Slade Nakoff as he discusses the 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. “How to Start a Fire with Flint and Steel” –Join Matthew Simerly in the fort as he teaches you how
to build and start a fire with flint and steel just like the frontier settlers. Learn how make your fire-starting kit, a
useful skill for hikers, campers, and any outdoors loving person. Duration: 30 minutes.

Sunday July 31 st
10:30 a.m. “Buckskin Breeches” –Buckskin short pants or “Knee breeches” were the blue jeans of the 18 th
century. Join Slade Nakoff as he demonstrates the construction of such a garment while outlining the deerskin
trade along the frontier. This event will be held inside fort Watauga. Duration: 30 minutes.

2:00 p.m. “A Chat with a Continental Soldier” –Today Matthew Simerly will explain the equipment of the
common soldier, their daily duty, and experiences. From the clothes they wore to the food they ate, see what the
men faced as they fought for our independence. Duration: 30 minutes.