Revolutionary War Days set for Sept. 27 at McDowell House

Mark your calendars for a fun, informative, family event on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 1-5 p.m. at the Captain Charles McDowell House at 119 Saint Mary’s Church Road, Morganton.

Historic Burke will once again sponsor its annual Revolutionary War Days event to honor and commemorate the gathering of the Overmountain Men on that land, Quaker Meadows.

From there, the Overmountain Men journeyed to Kings Mountain, S.C., where they defeated the British on Oct. 7, 1780, and set in motion the end of the American Revolution.

Free and open to the public, the event will feature activities for people from ages 3 to 93.

Presenters and re-enactors from Tennessee, South Carolina, Old Fort, Lincolnton, Little Switzerland, Gamewell, Nebo, and Burke County will staff 40 stations that provide glimpses into life on the Burke County frontier in the late 18th century and Burke County’s important role in securing independence.

Every year the Overmountain Victory Trail Association (OVTA) re-enacts the 1780 march of the Overmountain Men from Abingdon, Va., and Elkin, N.C., to Quaker Meadows and on to Kings Mountain, S.C.

The annual march commemorates the sacrifices of the almost 1,500 volunteers — and their families — who challenged British domination and won a decisive victory that helped turn the tide of the war.

Some 20 members of the OVTA, who are making the march this year, will be on hand Sept. 27 to “tell the story,” fire muskets in salute, and interact with visitors.

There will be exhibits of Revolutionary War weaponry, handmade contemporary longrifles, and information about how and what the Overmountain Men packed in their haversacks to take with them on the trail.

For the first time at this event, there will be a station about battlefield and homestead medicine.

There will be demonstrations of cooking venison and rabbit over a campfire, hide tanning, and blacksmithing and samples of pelts of animals that are in Burke County now and were here in 1780.

Visitors will see re-enactors engaging in domestic skills such as spinning, lacemaking, knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint as well as managing a kitchen garden and kitchen.

Two experts on Colonial attire will have wares to show, explain, and sell.

Handmade Colonial toys and games will be available for demonstration and sale. Animals that would have been found on most late 18th century homesteads, such as chickens, sheep, and goats will be on hand to see and touch.

Mary Ervin and her Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) will play fiddle music on the front porch of the house twice during the afternoon.

The Tar Heel Historical Dance Troupe will perform in the yard twice during the afternoon and may even invite some visitors to join in their merriment.

Burke County Library will be on hand to provide basic information about researching local family history.

Fort Defiance in Lenoir, The History Museum of Burke County, South Mountains State Park, Lake James State Park, and the National Park Service will have information about their programs and activities related to the Overmountain Men and America’s 250th anniversary.

Visitors can sample “Loyalist Tea” and “Patriot Tea.” Randell Jones, award-winning author and speaker, and an authority on the Battle of Kings Mountain as well as Daniel Boone, will be available for discussion and his books will be for sale.

One station will feature information about the exciting, new, one-of-a-kind museum about the American Revolution in Gaffney, S.C.: Carolina Rising, the only museum of its kind in the world, which is based on the actual stories in that place from that time.

Docents will be available to share information about the McDowell family who lived in the house from 1813 until 1859. Historic Burke and local stationery-maker Sandy Sisk will have wares for sale.

For children, there will be an opportunity to make a cornhusk doll to take home, to color a Betsy Ross flag, to try their hands at Colonial games, and to join in with the dancers.

The Alexander Erwin Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Quaker Meadows Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be on hand to share information about their organizations.

Come learn about this significant Burke County history and bring your family!

Questions may be directed to 828-448-2923.