Sycamore Shoals State Park Upcoming Events

Published 8:24 am Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Carter Mansion Guided Tour – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion, 1301 Broad St., Elizabethton, TN 37643. Price: 6 and under is free, $5 ages 7 to 17, $9 for adults. Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a tour of Tennessee’s oldest frame house! Discover the secrets of this elegant frontier home and learn the history of the family who built it between 1775 and 1780. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Sabine Hill Guided Tour – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at Sabine Hill Historic Site. Price: 6 and under is free, $5 ages 7 to 17, $9 for adults. Join Park Ranger Cory Franklin for a guided tour of this stately home built by Mary Patton Taylor, widow of Brigadier General Nathaniel Taylor. The site has been described as one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the State of Tennessee. During your tour you will have the opportunity to take in the colorful and architecturally detailed interior while learning about the influential Taylor family who called Sabine Hill home in the early 19th century.

Sabine Hill is located at 2328 West G St., Elizabethton, TN 37643

Please note, only portable toilet facilities are available at this time. Accessibility to the home includes steps and an interior staircase. Tour may be subject to cancelation in the event of severely inclement weather.

Old Time Music Jam – Led by Art Lang – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center. Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month led by Art Lang. Old-time musicians of all levels are welcome. Don’t play an instrument? Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!

Carter Mansion Celebration – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Meet at Historic John and Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad St. Elizabethton, TN 37643

Join us as we celebrate the oldest frame house in Tennessee, and the historically prominent Carter family.  Travel back to the 1780’s and tour the Carter Mansion. Witness living history reenactors demonstrating aspects of 18th century life, and see local craftsmen showcasing traditional skills.

Free Admission.

19th Century Trade Fair at the Carter Mansion – 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Meet at: Historic John & Landon Carter Mansion 1031 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643

Although built in the 1770s, Tennessee’s oldest frame house was a thriving farm and family home for nearly two centuries.  Come spend the day at the Carter Mansion and visit with living history interpreters to learn about various trades, skills and professions in the mid 19th century.  Enjoy learning about occupations such as a lawyer, doctor, undertaker, and others.  Also, learn about medicinal plant usage, tasks of 19th century housewives, midwifery, children’s games, and more.

Watauga Valley Art League Meeting with Guest Speaker – 1:30 p.m. Meet at: Park Visitor Center

All are welcome to join our area artists for their monthly meeting, highlighted by an art related presentation.  This month the presenter will be Jerry’s Artarama.

Tech in Nature – 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at: picnic area beside Visitor’s center. Price:$0 / 6 and Under$5 / Person. Register for the event.

Today, most people are inseparable from their smart phones and mobile devices.  We want to embrace this cultural change and show you how you can better use technology on a day to day bases in nature.  Using tools such as GPS locating, plant identification, and other easily accessible resources and apps, we will show you how to enhance your experience rather than take away from it.  Join Ranger Cory Franklin for a walk around the park to better understand the tools you carry with you daily.  The program will meet and begin at the picnic area beside the visitor center.

2nd Spring Open House/Annual Plant Auction – Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park. Join us for the 2nd annual Spring Open House here at the park.  Also take in a variety of outdoor organizations and groups that will be set up in the Visitor Center and outside the park.  Represented will be Master Gardeners, our very own in-house butterfly/bird expert, other neighboring State Parks and sites, and many more.  So plan on joining us for a fun-filled day of indoor and outdoor activities to kick off your Spring!

 Annual Plant Auction: Doors open at 8:15 am to view plants and register.  Auction begins at 9:00 am.

Earth Day Celebration – 1:30pm – 4:00pm

SHSS celebrates Earth Day with a fun day of outdoor activities.  We will be meeting outside at the park for an afternoon of shuttlecock, & 9 pins.  Look for us near the fort.  Period attire is preferred but not necessary.  Please bring your own refreshments, chair/ground cover.  In the event of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled.

Old Time Music Jam – Led by Art Lang – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center

Enjoy the rich musical traditions of our region each month.  Old time musicians of all levels are welcome.  Don’t play and instrument?  Come on over, kick back, and enjoy the tunes!