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The year was 1780, and the tide of the American Revolution was turning against the patriot cause. The British gained new allies in the divided south and won victory after victory. Charleston had fallen to the British, American forces had crumbled at the battle of Camden, and things were looking very bleak for the cause of independence. Then the impossible occurred! Frontiersmen west of the Blue Ridge Mountains began a long march, gathering an army along the way from the highlands of Virginia to the hills of South Carolina. At a place called King’s Mountain, they destroyed British forces and opened the way for the final American victory at Yorktown.

The route they took from Virginia to South Carolina, is now known as the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.  

The public is invited to celebrate the  Muster of the Overmountain Men, which occurred at Sycamore Shoals nearly 250 years ago on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22, for the re-enactment of the Overmountain Militia Muster. This weekend will be full of programs centered around the story of the Overmountain Men and their historic gathering at Sycamore Shoals. On Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 a.m. until 3 p.m. the Washington County, NC Militia and the Overmountain Victory Trail Association will present 18th century demonstrations and activities in and around Fort Watauga. Discover the vital role Sycamore Shoals played in the early frontier community, and how its significance would impact our nation’s history. Re-enactors in period clothing will be on hand throughout the weekend to share stories and demonstrations of that exciting and tumultuous time. 

Also, as part of the weekend’s activities, there will be opportunities both days to meet with several authors of books available in the park gift shop. From 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday meet with Roger Bowers, author of Leonard Bowers: A Revolutionary War Soldier and East Tennessee Pioneer and Descendants of Leonard Bowers in Carter County Tennessee. 

Michael Hardy, author of Kirk’s Civil War Raid Along the Blue Ridge, will also be in attendance. From 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday, three authors will be on hand which include Jenny Cote, author of The Voice of the Revolution and the Key and The Declaration the Sword and the Spy, Randell Jones, author of Before They Were Heroes at Kings Mountain and A Guide to the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, and former Sycamore Shoals State Park manager Jennifer Bauer, author of Roan Mountain: A Passage of Time and Wildlife Wildflowers and Wild Activities. All the authors will be available to talk about and offer signed copies of their works.

At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association will recreate the historic 1780 river crossing when Colonel William Campbell and 400 mounted militiamen from present day Abingdon, Va., crossed the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals to join Colonels Isaac Shelby and John Sevier in response to a threat from British Major Patrick Ferguson. For the past 50 years members of the OVTA have re-created this historic occurrence since 1975, following the same route and timetable as their legendary forebears from Abingdon, Va., to Kings Mountain, S.C.

While enjoying the activities of the weekend, the public is invited to visit the award-winning museum and interpretive center, and don’t miss the park’s interpretive film “Sycamore Shoals – Story of the American Spirit.” Also visit the park’s book and gift shop to take home a special souvenir or a gift for the history buff or avid reader in your family. This fun filled and action-packed event is sure to entertain and educate all ages. The event is free of charge so bring the entire family and relive some of the most crucial days of the American Revolution. 

Schedule of events:

All programs will be held inside Fort Watauga unless noted otherwise.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 21

10 a.m. –  Event Opens

10:30 a.m. – Raising the Colors – Join the Overmountain Men inside Fort Watauga as they assemble to post the flag.

11 a.m. – The 18th Century Tavern – Join historic interpreter Michael Hardy to learn about the great importance of taverns and public houses in colonial America.

11:30 a.m. – Frontier Medicine – Join herbalist Elizabeth Hardy for a look at the medicinal properties of herbs and wild plants and how they were used by settlers on the 18th century frontier.

12 noon – “Every Seventh Man” – As the Overmountain Men went in search of Patrick Ferguson’s Tory army, one in seven stayed behind to guard the settlements. Witness the Watauga Home Guard drill and hone their skills as defenders of the frontier.

12:30 p.m. – Child Soldiers of the Revolution – Join members of the Watauga Valley Fife and Drum Corps to learn about the youngest participants in our fight for independence.

1 p.m. – Meet the Author – Sycamore Shoals gift shop has a great selection of historically themed books. Chat with some of the authors, add to your collection, and get a signed copy. Meet in the Visitor Center.

2 p.m. – “Keep Your Powder Dry” – Join historic interpreter Lisa Bennett to hear the incredible story of Mary Patton and learn about the making of gunpowder on the colonial frontier.

3 p.m. – Walking in Frontier Footsteps – Join Museum Curator Chad Bogart for a guided interpretive walk along the park trail as he recounts the story of the Overmountain Men and the campaign to Kings Mountain.

4 p.m. – Event Closed – Join us tomorrow for another exciting day of living history!

SUNDAY, SEPT. 22 

11 a.m. – Frontier Worship Service – Join the families of the Watauga Settlement as they gather for Sunday morning service held in the courtyard of Fort Watauga.

11:30 a.m. – The 18th Century Tavern

12 noon– “Every Seventh Man”

12:30 p.m. – Frontier Medicine

1 p.m. –  Meet the Author

1:30 p.m. – Walking in Frontier Footsteps

2 p.m. – Child Soldiers of the Revolution

2:30 p.m. – “Keep Your Powder Dry”

3 p.m. – Retiring the Colors: Event Closed – Thank you for joining us for a great day of frontier living history.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25

2 p.m. – OVTA Watauga River Crossing – The Overmountain Victory Trail Association will recreate the historic 1780 river crossing when Colonel William Campbell and 400 militiamen from present day Abingdon, Va., crossed the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals to join Colonels Isaac Shelby and John Sevier in response to the threat from British Major Patrick Ferguson. (Meet at the River Crossing Site)

Following the Crossing – Join members of the OVTA as they tell the story of the Campaign to Kings Mountain and the decisive American victory that occurred there on October 7, 1780. (Meet inside Fort Watauga)