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Upcoming Events
Sycamore Shoals State Park Events
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Saturday, April 9
The Watauga Association 250th Anniversary Celebration — Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. In the spring of 1772 local settlers joined together and created a compact to “govern and direct for the common good of the people.” Known as the Watauga Association it was the first body of democratic self-government in British North America. Historians would later call it the first free and independent community on the continent. Join us as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of American Liberty! Schedule and times to be announced.
Saturday, April 9
Carter Mansion Commenorative Tour — 11 a.m.- noon, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m - 3:30 p.m. Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion. Register for the event. Price is $0 per person, $5 Attendee + Donation, $10 Attendee + Donation, $20 Attendee + Donation. This year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Watauga Association, the early frontier government established in the Watauga settlement chaired by Col. John Carter. Join park interpretive staff for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house built by Carter between 1775 and 1780. Enjoy the detailed 18th century interiors, hand carved moldings, and overmantle paintings as you visit this elegant frontier home as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the “first free and independent community on the continent.”
The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.
Wednesday, April 13
Carter Mansion Guided Tour — 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. — Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion. Register for the event. Price is $0/6 and under, $5/ Ages 7 to 17, $9/Adult. Join Park Ranger Jason Davis for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Enjoy the detailed 18th century interiors, hand carved moldings, and overmantle paintings as you visit this elegant frontier home built by Col. John Carter between 1775 and 1780. The John and Landon Carter Mansion is located at 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643.
Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.
Sabine Hill Guided Tour — 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Register for the event. Price is $0/6 and under, $5/Ages 7 to 17, $9/Adult. Join Museum Curator Chad Bogart for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee. During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century.
Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.
Thursday, April 14
Sabine Hill Guided Tour — 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Register for the event. Price is $0/6 and under, $5/Ages 7 to 17, $9/Adult. Join Park Ranger Jason Davis for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee. During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century.
Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.
Saturday, April 23
Annual Plant Auction — Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park - 9 a.m. - 12 noon. Meet at Park Visitor Center. Free Admission. An exciting array of unusual ornamental and native perennials, trees and shrubs will be auctioned during this event. A great opportunity to add new species to your landscape! Sponsored by The UT Extension Service, East Tennessee Nursery Association, and the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce.
Sunday, April 24
Earth Day Celebration — 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. SHSS celebrates Earth Day with a fun day of outdoor activities. We will be meeting outside at the park for an afternoon of shuttlecock, and 9 pins. Look for us near the fort. Period attire is preferred but not necessary. Please bring your own refreshments, chair/ground cover. In the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled.
Old Time Music Jam — Led by Art Lang — 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Meet at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center. 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!
Tech in Nature — 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Register for the event. Price is 6 and under free, $5 per person. Today, most people are inseparable from their smart phones and mobile devices. We want to embrace this cultural change and show you how you can better use technology on a day to day bases in nature. Using tools such as GPS locating, plant identification, and other easily accessible resources and apps, we will show you how to enhance your experience rather than take away from it. Join Ranger Cory Franklin for a walk around the park to better understand the tools you carry with you daily. The program will meet and begin at the picnic area beside the visitor center. p.m. - 2 p.m. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Register for the event. Price is $0/6 and under, $5/Ages 7 to 17, $9/Adult. Join Museum Curator Chad Bogart for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee. During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century.
Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643
Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.
Saturday, May 7
Bird Walk with the Lee & Lois Herndon TOS Chapter — 8 a.m. Meet at Visitor Center Parking Area. Meet other birders and naturalists at Sycamore Shoals for a morning of birding during the migratory season.
Saturday, May 21
28th Annual Siege of Fort Watauga — 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free Admission. It is 1776 and the frontier is ablaze with war. Join us as 200 Colonial and Native reenactors present this dramatic retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga valley. Visit the living history camps, shop with period vendors, and witness battle re-enactments both days. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke and see history come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. Contact the park for a detailed schedule.
Spring Knap-In at Fort Watauga — 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Knapping – with a “K” – has nothing to do with sleep! Knapping is the art of making stone tools.Watch primitive skills craftsmen make arrowheads, spear points, and other survival tools. There will be demonstrations of primitive tools such as the bow, arrow, and atlatl throughout the day.
Sunday, May 22
28th Annual Siege of Fort Watauga — 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free Admission. It is 1776 and the frontier is ablaze with war. Join us as 200 Colonial and Native reenactors present this dramatic retelling of the Cherokee attack brought on the settlers of the Watauga valley. Visit the living history camps, shop with period vendors, and witness battle re-enactments both days. Hear the rattle of muskets, smell the campfire smoke and see history come to life at the Siege of Fort Watauga. Contact the park for a detailed schedule.
Thursday, June 2
Watauga Valley Art Leagues Summer Show — June 2 - June 26. Visitor Center Operating Hours. Meet at Park Visitor Center. This multi-media exhibit is two art shows in one: “19th Annual Judged show” and the “27th Annual Watauga Valley Art League Member show.” Please join us for this popular summer event!
Meet-the-Artist Awards Reception: Sunday, June 12, from 1:30 - 4 p.m.
Friday, June 3 - June 25
Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals - 8 p.m. Register for the event. Meet at Fort Watauga Amphitheater. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday, June 3 & 10-11, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, June 16-18 & 23-25
Tennessee’s official outdoor drama is presented by local performers against the backdrop of Fort Watauga. See the Revolution as told by the Overmountain Men. 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.
Doors open at 7 p.m. The concession stand opens at 7:30 p.m.
For ticket pricing, purchasing, and discount information please visit www. thelibertydrama.com
Saturday, July 23
Independence on the Frontier: Militia Muster — 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Meet at Fort Watauga. By today’s standards information traveled slowly in the 18th century. Be a guest in Fort Watauga as news of Independence finally arrives on the colonial frontier. What did the early settlers think about a new nation? From fear of war to the hope of a brighter future, walk among historical characters and hear their varied reactions to the Declaration.
Roan Mountain State Park Events
Friday, April 29
Garlic Mustard Pull Day — 9:30 a.m - 2 p.m. Meet at Park Conference Center. Register for event. Roan Mountain State Park is partnering with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Cherokee National Forest to remove invasive garlic mustard from the park and heavily trafficked highways around Carver’s Gap and SAHC conservation properties in the Highlands of Roan. Plucking out the pesky invaders when they’re young and tender isn’t hard work, but it does take a lot of hands! Event limited to 20 individuals, so sign up today using the link on this page.
Location: Meet at the Conference Center Parking Lot – Roan Mountain State Park in Roan Mountain, TN
Schedule: 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. — Introduction, safety talk, etc. Volunteers will be briefed, divided into groups, and dispersed across the park and along public roadsides to pull garlic mustard. There will need to be some shuttling and driving of personal vehicles to make this happen. 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. — Pulling and bagging up garlic mustard! 1-2 p.m. — Lunch at the Conference Center and our official “weigh in.”
More Info:
Food/Drinks: Please bring your own snacks, lunch and bottled water. Lunch is not provided. Water and light snacks are available from the Conference Center vending machines.
Equipment/Precautions: Work gloves and trash bags will be provided. Feel free to bring personal gloves or a trowel. Pulling garlic mustard is usually easy, but a trowel can be helpful for compacted roadside soil and stubborn roots. • You will need a hat and/or sunscreen, long pants, sturdy shoes, lunch, water, a warm layer for high elevation hiking, and rain gear. If you are allergic to poison ivy, consider wearing long sleeves and pants as a precaution.
• It may be difficult to return to your car while we are working, so you may want a bag to keep your items with you throughout the day. • Some work sites are very steep. Please let me know before the workday if you prefer to work on flatter terrain or have medical conditions. First aid kits will be on site.
Contact info: For more info or questions, contact Park Ranger Philip Hylen at Philip.Hylen@tn.gov or (423)547-3947.
What is Garlic Mustard?
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive, non-native plant, which has infested many parts of the Southern Appalachian region. Because it has few natural enemies in North America, it is capable of out-competing native plants by depriving them of sunlight, moisture and space. Garlic mustard is a biennial plant, meaning it has a two year life cycle. In its first year, it develops kidney-shaped leaves that grow close to the ground in what is called a basal rosette; the leaves smell like garlic when crushed. In their second year, the plants rapidly grow upward and develop small white flowers. The flowers are soon replaced by slender seed pods, which are capable of spreading hundreds of seeds once mature. Garlic mustard is a hardy plant. If you pull the plant and leave it on the ground, it may re-root or have enough energy stored in its taproot to produce viable seed after being pulled. Most compost piles aren’t maintained in a way that gets hot enough to kill the seed, which means you could end up spreading garlic mustard with your compost (The Stewardship Network). Removing garlic mustard from thoroughfares such as Roan Mountain State Park and public roadsides is crucial to controlling the establishment and spread of this invasive species in our area.
Friday, April 29Sunday, May 1
Spring Rock Climbing Workshop - 7 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Price is $60. Register for the event. Meet at Cumberland Mountain State Park Recreation Lodge. ***NOTE*** THIS PROGRAM IS BASED OUT OF CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, CROSSVILLE, TN. ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL TIME.
Event Description: — Friday we will start with a meet and greet at the Rec Lodge around 7 p.m. CST. We will cover outdoor climbing basics, including knot tying and belay technique. — Saturday we will meet at the Rec Lodge parking lot at 8:30 a.m. CST to carpool to the Black Mountain climbing area. Once we get to Black Mountain, there is a short hike to the climbing location from the trailhead (1/2 mile). A number of top rope climbs and a 40 foot rappel will be set up for the day. Climbs range in difficulty from beginner to intermediate/advanced. — Sunday morning we will meet back at the Rec Lodge parking lot at 8:30 a.m. CST to carpool to the Black Mountain for another day of climbing. The day ends around 3 p.m. CST, but you are free to leave earlier as needed (please let one of the staff know if you plan to leave early). **The Black Mountain Climbing area does not have restroom facilities, please be prepared for each day. We will be practicing Leave No Trace.
Age restrictions: 18 Years of Age and Older
Price: $60 - instruction and gear for the weekend
Accommodations for Cumberland Mountain State Park: Camping/Cabin reservations - make them online at https:// tnstateparks.com/parks/cumberlandmountain
Please make your camping/cabin reservations ahead of time.
Food will not be provided during the course of this workshop. Pack your breakfast, lunch, and snacks for each day. For dinner, we encourage you to bring your own or plan to eat at the Homestead Harvest Restaurant on the park.
Cancellation Deadline/Refund Policy:
Participants may cancel no later than Wednesday, April 27, at 5 p.m. with a 50% refund. After April 27, 5 p.m., there will be no refunds for participant cancellation.
Weather Cancellation Policy: There is no alternate date. In the event of a weather related cancellation April 28 or prior we will offer a full refund. In the event of a weather related cancellation April 29 or later, we will consider refunds on a case-by-case basis.
