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The Sabine Hill Social Society will have its annual fundraising tea Sunday, Aug. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals State Park.

The Sabine Hill Social Society is a group of dedicated volunteers who focus on supporting Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park with educational events, social activities, period clothing assistance, and representing the early 19th century in America during the era of Sabine Hill (1790-1820). Its leader is Donna Horowitz, who was initially costumer for “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals.”

At Horowitz’s suggestion to former Sycamore Shoals Park director Jennifer Bauer, the Sabine Hill Social Society was birthed. A relatively small group, it focuses on social activities such as a monthly dance. “We have about 16 members,” said Scott Pruitt, husband of Horowitz.

“This past month we had three couples from the community join members at the dance, which is held at Sycamore Shoals State Park. We generally have more participation in the winter when the weather is not so good. We certainly welcome the community’s participation and hope to recruit more members through these events,” said Pruitt.

Sabine Hill focuses on a time when there were no wars. The stately house, which sits on a hill outside of town and across from Sycamore Shoals, was built by Gen. Nathaniel Taylor and his wife. They were a very influential family, owning up to seven million acres of land on this continent. A part of the family’s land holdings included a major part of Happy Valley, about 3,000 acres. It is said that Gen. Taylor could travel from his home in Elizabethton on horseback to Jonesborough and never get off his land.

Sabine Hill was located on land formerly owned by Matthew Talbot. The land holdings of Gen. Taylor also included the land on which the North American and Bemberg Rayon plants were built.

Since purchasing the home in 2008, the Tennessee Historical Commission in partnership with Tennessee State Parks has restored the home and grounds. The restoration of the house was completed by some of the nation’s leading craftsmen and experts in 18th – and early 19th – century building methods. 

The two-story house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The house, once restored, was opened to the public on Nov. 1, 2017, as a unit of Sycamore Shoals State Park. The property is operated by the park under a memorandum of understanding with the Tennessee Historical Commission.

Horowitz and her group are a part of the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Park. However, their activities center around the social events that the Taylors may have hosted at their home, such as dances and teas. These events had a role in society back in the 18th and 19th century and were not only a source of entertainment but a way to meet people.

The annual tea is open to the public. This year’s event, which has been in the planning since April, has as its theme “Empress Josephine’s Imperial Tea” and planners hope it will be their best formal tea year with a fine (new) selection of hot tea (coffee upon request) and delicious tasty savory and sweet treats with a French flair.

“The group has planned a truly royal selection of delicious food items with this new theme in mind,” said Pruitt, who is leader of the Sabine Hill Social Society’s dance group.                               

This year’s event will feature live music by Dustin Odom, an active musician in the East Tennessee area, who is a clarinetist, recorderist and vocalist. He has been a featured artist with regional symphonies, choruses, and ensembles in the area. An alumni of Milligan University, Odom has been a featured recitalist for the Candlelight Concert Series in Colonial Williamsburg.

To reserve a spot at the afternoon dance, go to www.friends of sycamoreshoals.org/events or call the park at 543-5808.

 

Photo Named CM0728 Dustin Odom

Dustin Odom

 

CM0734 Sabine Hill Social Society Tea

The public is invited to a formal tea Sunday, August 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Sycamore Shoals State Park. The tea is a fundraising event sponsored by the Sabine Hill Social Society. There is a $25 charge.