Step back in time 241 years to a colorful revolutionary world and witness life as it was on the 18th 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 Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia, host living history organization at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, will be encamped in and around Fort Watauga giving visitors a glimpse of life in 1776. A myriad of activities will unfold throughout the weekend such as militia drill and training, artillery firing demonstrations, open hearth cooking, tomahawk throwing and a special reading of the Declaration of Independence.
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, July 1st and10:00 until 3:00 on Sunday, July 2nd. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is located at 1651 W. Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN 37643. For more information about this event please contact the park at 423-543-5808 or log on to : www.sycamoreshoalstn.org or http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals
Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 1st
10:00 – Raising the Colours: Start the day off with a bang as the militia falls in for inspection
and raises the flag with a patriotic ceremony.
10:30 – Fort Tour & Flintlock Rifle Demo- Take a stroll through Fort Watauga and discover
how settlers in the 1770s defended their homes and changed the course of the American
Revolution.
11:00 – “Fix Bayonets”: Join a soldier of the Continental Army and learn about the uses and
tactics of the bayonet, one of the most feared weapons used in the Revolutionary War! Then cheer on theMilitiamen as they test their skill and aim with this 18th century weapon.
12:00 – “Echoes of Revolution”: The Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums perform martial and field
music of the Revolutionary War.
1:00 – 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.
2:00 – Artillery Drill and Demonstration: Learn about 18th century artillery as the Militia fires
the Fort’s Cannon.
2:30 – Kids Militia: Attention all able bodied kids! Fall in and drill with the Washington Co.
Militia.
3:00 – Colonia Era Music of East Tennessee: Join Corbin in the Fort for a journey back in time
to experience the musical sounds of the early Tennessee frontier.
3:30 – Militia Drill & Retiring the Colours – The Washington County Militia demonstrates the
tactics and firearms used during the Revolutionary War, and then retire the flag for the day.
4:00 – Camps Close to the Public: Join us tomorrow for another exciting day of 18th century
living history.
Sunday, July 2nd
10:00 – Raising the Colours: Start the day off with a bang as the militia falls in for inspection
and raises the flag with a patriotic ceremony.
11:00 – Worship Service: Join us for Sunday Service held inside Fort Watauga.
12:00 – Fort Tour & Flintlock Rifle Demo- Take a stroll through Fort Watauga and discover
how settlers in the 1770s defended their homes and changed the course of the American
Revolution.
12:30 – Kids Militia: Attention all able bodied kids! Fall in and drill with the Washington Co.
Militia.
1:00 – Artillery Drill and Demonstration: Learn about 18th century artillery as the Militia fires
the Fort’s Cannon.
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.
3:00 – Militia Drill & Retiring the Colours: The Washington County Militia demonstrates the
tactics and firearms used during the Revolutionary War, then lowers the flag for the day.
Ongoing Activities Throughout the Weekend Will Include…
Open Hearth Cooking, 18th Century Weapons Display, Natural Dyeing, Militia and
Frontier Camps, Colonial Era Music, 18th Century Tavern Life, and Much More!!!
