Saturday, July 29, 2023

The SAR ceremony will take place at 10:00 with Color Guard, wreath presentations by SAR and DAR chapters presenting honors.

The SAR ceremony keynote speaker is William Caldwell, the National Park Service Ranger for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.  His talk is entitled "To Bear True Allegiance: Remembering the Revolution as a Divisive Event." The decision to support one faction or another during the Revolution was at times political, other times social, but always deeply personal. As the fortunes of war changed and desperation increased, vendettas and polarization ensured that blood would be shed long after any significant achievable military goal had faded. Why is it important to remember the civil-war nature of the American Revolution? Why is it important to recall that as late as 1781, both Patriot and Loyalist alike were swearing "To Bear True Allegiance" to their cause, and how can we apply that today?

Battle reenactment will take place at 2:00. Saturday only.  Activities and 18th Century demonstrations throughout the day following the SAR ceremony at 10:00. Tours of the home are available as well.