Join members of the Washington County Militia and the Overmountain Victory Trail Association this weekend as they host the annual Overmountain Victory Celebration at Sycamore Shoals State Park to honor the patriots who marched from this region to change the tide of the American Revolution.
Each year, Sycamore Shoals hosts this special event as a way of preserving history and honoring the regions first settlers. This year marks the 236th anniversary of the muster of the Overmountain Men.
“It’s a story of national significance,” said Historic Interpreter Chad Bogart. “We always refer to the Battle of Kings Mountain as the turning point in the Revolutionary War. If these folks hadn’t gathered here there would have been no Battle of Kings Mountain.”
In 1780 the tide of the war had turned against the colonists. The British had been forced out of New England but had found new allies in the divided South. British forces won victory after victory. Charleston had fallen and patriots had suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Camden.
But then something the British never expected happened — the frontiersmen of the western mountains rallied and began a long march, gathering more fighters with them along the way, all the way from the highlands of Virginia to the hills of South Carolina.
At Kings Mountain, the Overmountain Men defeated British Maj. Patrick Ferguson and paved the way for a patriot victory at Yorktown to end the war.
“It’s something that really put the Western settlements on the map,” Bogart said. “George Washington even said if he had to make a last stand he would surround himself with people from the Blue Ridge and he was talking about us.”
“We might have been a little obscure before then but after that we were pretty well known,” he added.
This year’s Overmountain Victory Celebration at the park will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The most anticipated event of the weekend will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m. as members of the Washington County Militia and Overmountain Victory Trail Association re-create the historic crossing of the Watauga River to muster at Sycamore Shoals. Following the crossing, Steve Ricker from the OVTA will share the story of the muster and march.
The event is free and open to the public but donations to the park to help support this event and other park programs will be accepted.
Schedule of weekend events:
Saturday, Sept. 24
10 a.m. – “Raising the Colours” – Join The Overmountain Men inside Fort Watauga as they assemble for morning instructions, militia inspection and posting the flag.
11 a.m. – “Gearing up for War” – Join Major Ledbetter inside Fort Watauga and learn about the equipment and weapons carried by the Overmountain Men in their campaign to Kings Mountain.
11:30 a.m. – “Echoes of Revolution” – Join the Watauga Valley Fifes and Drums and learn about martial music of the 18th century.
Noon – “Every Seventh Man” – Oral tradition states that the Overmountain Men left behind one in seven to guard the settlements as they went in search of the tory army. Witness the Watauga Home Guard drill and hone their skills as defenders of the frontier. Learn about the different firearms used in Colonial America.
12:30 p.m. – “Tunes of the Times” – The Smith Brothers will share a delightful set of tunes and songs form the American Colonial period.
1 p.m. – “Trail Talk: Walking in Frontier Footsteps” – To celebrate National Public Lands Day, join historic interpreter Chad Bogart for a guided walk along the park trail as he recounts the story of the Overmountain Men, their historic gathering at Sycamore Shoals and march to victory. Program begins at Fort Watauga.
1:30 p.m. – “Echoes of Revolution” – Join the Watauga Valley Fifes and Drums for an exciting glimpse into the musical world of the 18th century.
2 p.m. – “Life on the Homefront” – Come to the Talbot House for a look at the woman’s role on the 18th century frontier. See how the women and children fared after the militia had marched off in search of Patrick Ferguson and the Tory army.
3 p.m. – “Every Seventh Man” – Learn about the different firearms used in Colonial America.
4 p.m. – Camps Close – Join us tomorrow for another exciting day of life on the colonial frontier!
Sunday, Sept. 25
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Meet the Author – Join local journalist Robert Sorrell, author of the book Historic Homes of Northeast Tennessee, in the park visitors center to learn more about this latest book which will be available for purchase.
10 a.m. – “Raising the Colours” – Join The Overmountain Men inside Fort Watauga as they assemble for morning instructions, militia inspection and posting the flag.
11 a.m. – Worship Service – Feel free to join the militia for Sunday morning service held in the courtyard of Fort Watauga. Following the service witness the Washington County Militia fall in for inspection of arms, and orders are given for the day.
Noon – “Every Seventh Man” – Oral tradition states that the Overmountain Men left behind one in seven to guard the settlements as they went in search of the Tory army. Witness the Watauga Home Guard drill and hone their skills as defenders of the frontier. Learn about the different firearms used in Colonial America.
1 p.m. – “Life on the Homefront” – Come to the Talbot House for a look at the woman’s role on the 18th century frontier. See how the women and children fared after the militia had marched off in search of Patrick Ferguson and the Tory army.
2 p.m. – Watauga River Crossing – Members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association and other 18th century reenactors re-create the historic crossing of September 25th, 1780.
Following the Crossing – Story of the Kings Mountain Campaign – Members of the OVTA will present a first person account of the events leading to, and during the Battle of Kings Mountain. Program presented in the Fort Watauga Amphitheater.
3 p.m. – Retiring the Colors – Camps Close – Thank you for joining us for a great day of frontier living history. Join us next time!
Ongoing activities for both days include: Open Hearth Cooking; Flintlock Musket & Rifle Demonstrations ; Militia Drill; Colonial Music; Leatherworking; Colonial Games; 18th Century Camp Life; and much more.
All activities are weather dependent. Schedule is subject to change or cancellation.