John Cornett and Chris Taylor :”COME ONE< COME ALL!"
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area
Siege of Fort Watauga
May 18 – 19, 2013
On Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th, Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area will host 150 living history re-enactors for the annual Siege of Fort Watauga. Colonial, British, and Native re-enactors will converge at the re-created Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals to relive the days when America’s first frontier was the land beyond the blue ridge.
The Siege of Fort Watauga is a live retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga Valley in the summer of 1776. At Sycamore Shoals, Fort Watauga offered protection to nearly 200 settlers during a two-week siege led by Cherokee War Chief, Old Abram, and 300 warriors.
Sycamore Shoals will once again be the scene of war during the Siege of Fort Watauga. The event lasts from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, May 18th and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 19th. Step back in time as you visit the fort, militia camps, British encampment, and Native camp. Be immersed in 18th century frontier life as you witness daily aspects of colonial culture. Take advantage of colonial merchants selling period wares in “Sutler’s Row”. See the clash of two cultures as the attack on fort Watauga is recreated both days at 1:00 pm. Also, attend our auction of 18th century reproductions.
We are excited to announce that during the Siege, representatives from the Historic Division of MARS/American Heritage Chocolate will be with us to demonstrate the making of chocolate along with sharing the many unique stories of chocolate during the 18th century. They will also offer the opportunity to sample their historic recipes & purchase chocolate in blocks, sticks, and drink mix!
For more information on this and other exciting events at Sycamore Shoals please contact the park at 423-543-5808 or visit the park’s website at http://www.sycamoreshoalstn.org. Bring the entire family and see how your ancestors played a crucial role in our region’s history and in the formation of our nation. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke, and see the 18th century come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. This event is sponsored by The Washington County Regiment of North Carolina Militia and The Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area.
O N G O I N G A C T I V I T I E S T H R O U G H O U T T H E W E E K E N D
Cherokee Weapons Display, Corn Shuck Dolls, Flint & Steel Fire Starting, Lead & Pewter Casting, 18th Century Surveying, Tavern Keeping, Wool Processing, Leather Work, Colonial Women’s Clothing, 18th Century Stays Making, Hand Sewing, Knitting, Flax Processing, Colonial Music, Storytelling, Open Hearth Cooking, Flintlock Firearms Demonstrations, And Many More Aspects of 18th Century Life!
S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 18th
10:00 Camps Open.
10:30 Raising the Colors & Militia Inspection (Fort Watauga)
11:00 Kids Militia Drill (Talbot’s Meadow – in front of Fort Watauga)
11:30 “Cherokee Weapons and War” (Native Camp)
1:00 Battle Reenactment: “Siege of Fort Watauga” – All visitors must move behind the viewing line 20 minutes prior to battle start time.
2:00 “Recruitment of Children into His Majesty’s Service” (British Camp)
2:30 Field Musick by the Watauga Valley Fifes & Drums (Fort Watauga)
3:00 Auction (Fort Watauga)
5:00 Camps Close. Please join us tomorrow for another exciting day of living history!
S U N D A Y, M A Y 19th
10:00 Camps Open.
10:00 Worship Service (Fort Watauga)
11:00 Militia Inspection (Fort Watauga)
11:30 “Cherokee Weapons and War” (Native Camp)
1:00 Battle Reenactment: “Siege of Fort Watauga” – All visitors must move behind the viewing line 20 minutes prior to battle start time.
2:00 Ladies Social & Tea (Fort Watauga)
3:00 Retiring the Colors (Fort Watauga) Event Closed. Thank you for coming!
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area
1651 W Elk Ave
Elizabethton TN 37643
423-543-5808
