Breathing life into history… Outdoor drama ‘Liberty’ brings the history of Carter County alive
Published 8:23 am Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area Park Manager Jennifer Bauer stands in front of a scence depicting the muster of the Overmountain Men at Fort Watauga. The history comes to life the last three weeks of July when the official outdoor drama of the State of Tennessee takes the stage with 'Liberty'.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The historical events around the signing of the Transylvania Purchase will be included in 'Liberty'. Dragging Canoe will be portrayed during the outdoor drama and the story of his role in the purchase is just a small part of the production.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The history of the seize will be covered with many special effects during the presentation of the outdoor drama 'Liberty' at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area outdoor amphitheather.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A portion of the drama 'Liberty' deals with the settlers and their battle to fend off the Cherokee Indians, a seige that lasted three weeks.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The outdoor drama 'Liberty' begins as settlers arrive in the area and goes through a lot of the historical events that happened right here in the early beginnings of Carter County.
One of the greatest injustices one can do to themselves and their family is not to be familiar with the history that surrounds the town and community they live in.
But thanks to a cast of over 100, that doesn’t have to be the case here in Carter County as beginning on July 11 the State of Tennessee’s official outdoor drama “Liberty” will start its 41st season bringing the history of Fort Watauga and Sycamore Shoals alive in a way no history book could.
“The drama begins by telling about the settlement and introducing you to the people and with some backstories in there as it moves to the important historic events kind of one by one,” stated Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area park manager Jennifer Bauer.
“One of the important stories is the creation in our community of an organization called the Watauga Association in 1772.
“It was a group of free men who came together to form a government out of a free will to have a vote which was a new concept.”
Many stories are shared through the re-enactment, including the stories of Landon Carter and Elizabeth Maclin for whom Carter County was named as well as the city of Elizabethton after Maclin.
“Liberty” details the muster of the Overmountain Men which was critical in leading to the defeat of British Major Patrick Ferguson and how Mary Patton made 500 pounds of black powder to help the group of militia win the battle.
Other stories include the significant role that Sycamore Shoals had in the signing of the Transylvania Purchase in 1775, the siege of Fort Watauga which lasted three weeks and the stories of famous people that played a historical role such as John and Elizabeth Carter, James Robertson, Charles Robertson, Bonnie Kate, Robert Young, and John Sevier.
“These were people that became leaders across the country,” Bauer said. “It’s just spectacular that those people were right here.”
According to Bauer, many people come from throughout the country to watch “Liberty” especially with the growing search people have in tracking their genealogical roots.
“We had a family that came from Washington State after discovering they had ties to some of the historical people we depicted in the drama and had purchased their tickets six months in advance,” Bauer added. “People get fired up when they find they have those type of ties and they want to learn more about their ancestors.”
The drama will run for the last three weeks of July with shows July 11 through July 13, July 18 through July 20, and July 25 through July 27. The start time will be 7:30 p.m. each night.
Special nights will be observed this year on Thursday, July 11, with 1st Responders Night and on Thursday, July 18, will be Veterans Night.
There will be free admission for the honored person and one guest.
This year’s corporate sponsors include Eastman Credit Union, Elizabethton Federal, and Snap-On.
The outdoor theater accommodates 400 people in general admission seating as the seating is of a bench format.
For those needing wheelchair accessible seating, that is provided as well up front where a full view of the drama can be enjoyed.
Tickets can be purchased in advance to avoid long lines by visiting www.TheLibertyDrama.com or by calling 423-543-5808 and arranging to pick them up before the show date.
Aside from the select, special dates, ticket prices will be $14 for adults, $11 for seniors age 55 and over, Veterans and First Responders $7, $6 for students ages 6-17, and children 5 and under are free.
