A little piece of Northeast Tennessee history is now attached to various vehicles within the region.
The Gadsden vehicle tags, created to help raise funds for Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, recently arrived at county clerk offices statewide and are available to those that preordered.
“We’re very excited about the tags being in,” John Kubenka with the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park told the Elizabethton Star Thursday.
Before the tags were made a reality, Kubenka explained the 1,000 orders had to be made to be created by the Tennessee Vehicle Services Division.
“They order an additional 400 tags to go along with the 1,000 preordered,” Kubenka said. “They typically do that with new tags but we’re expecting the tag to be real popular, and it seems that way so far.”
Kubenka noted the Gadsden tag in Virginia has experienced success in its own right, with it being the second highest sold tag last year with a total of 22,000 motorists acquiring the item.
As the days went on, multiple social media posts were shown by individuals showing their support of the new tag and excitement to help Sycamore Shoals.
The yellow tag features the Gadsden Flag, with the “Don’t Tread On Me” lettering placed right below a coiled rattlesnake. The flag was created during the American Revolution and has been adapted by groups today, including the American Tea Party.
On the left side of the specialty plate is the letters “F” and “W” standing for Fort Watauga, the primary landmark of the state park.
Kubenka stated the Friends group received a little over $15 per license plate sold over the year. Sycamore Shoals offered a variety of educational programs throughout the year, including “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals” — the official outdoor drama of Tennessee.
“This is something we wanted to do to help with the state park,” he said. “We’re able to use the funds for different projects needed on the property. A couple of things we’ve looked at is the drainage issue at Fort Watauga after a heavy rain. Another idea is using funds to help address issues at the amphitheater. There’s lots of projects we’re looking at to help the park.”
Carter County Clerk Mary Gouge told the Elizabethton Star Thursday afternoon the office ordered additional tags that will be available to the public. The extra tags were ordered Monday and are expected to arrive in the county within a two-week window.
Along with the vehicle tags, Kubenka added he received confirmation that motorcycle tags are anticipated to arrive around mid-March.
Visit the group’s website at friendsofsycamoreshoals.org or visit the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park for more information and ways to get involved with park projects and activities.