History Happenings for February

The cold winter winds may blow, but there are still plenty of fun and interesting "History Happenings" in our area. TIPTON-HAYNES STATE HISTORIC SITE There are two main events at Tipton-Haynes in February, starting with the Maple Syrup Festival on the 14th. Developed around the use and production of sweeteners in olden days, the folks at Tipton-Haynes tap their own trees and then boil the sap down into the golden-brown sweet maple syrup that everyone still loves today. The event educates the public on the full process from tree to table. All this can be seen outside on the historic grounds and at the furnace where all the boiling takes place. Inside the visitors center Tipton-Haynes will offer a full breakfast complete with real maple syrup. They will have pancakes, biscuits, sausage and several accoutrements for your pancakes such as blueberries, chocolate chips and bananas. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and has a soft ending at 11 a.m. The boiling of the maple syrup will begin between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and continue until complete. Maple syrup can be bought from the site in half-pints, pints and even quarts. This is a major fundraising event for the historic site, and the price for the event is $10 per adult and $5 for kids 12 and under. On Feb. 28, Tipton-Haynes will host the Battle of the State of Franklin. This event is a small reenactment of the battle that took place on the site's property between Col. John Tipton and Gov. John Sevier of Franklin. The battle was over slaves and property taken from the Sevier farm, supposedly to pay North Carolina taxes, and brought to the Tipton farm for "safe keeping" until the items could be sold, but it ended up finalizing the downfall of the Franklin Movement. The battle took place on Feb. 27-29, 1788, with around 150 men on each side by the last day. Reenacting this battle will be done with the help of the Overmountain Men from Sycamore Shoals. You can come out and see encampments of the soldiers, a showing of the film "The Lost State of Franklin" and representations of the soldiers themselves. The event will also have several local vendors with all their wares. Admission to the event is $6 per adult and $3 for kids 12 and under. Tipton-Haynes is located at 2620 S. Roan St. in Johnson City. For more information, please call 423-926-3631. SYCAMORE SHOALS STATE HISTORIC PARK There is always plenty of activity at Sycamore Shoals, starting on Feb. 13 with "For the Love of My Park: Volunteer Workday." Join the folks at the park for a volunteer workday. Activities include invasive plant removal, litter pickup, cabin cleaning, trail work and much more. Bring your friends and family and join Ranger Jason Davis to show the park some love and ensure that this special historic site continues to be a place for future generations to enjoy. Volunteers wishing to participate should plan on arriving at the picnic area beside the visitors center starting at 1 p.m. and will wrap up by 4 p.m. Bring a water bottle, gloves and a volunteer spirit. On Feb. 15, the park will host a free event, "Fellowship in English Country Dancing," from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Dancing was a popular social pastime in early America. Beginners and seasoned dancers alike are all welcome to learn early 19th century dances. The event is open to anyone, with or without experience or a partner. Meet in the Gathering Room of the park visitors center, and refreshments will be served to celebrate Valentine's Day weekend. This event is sponsored by the Sabine Hill Social Society. On Feb. 21, the free gardening seminar series "Composting & Vegetable Gardening" will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. It's not too early to start planning and building your spring garden. Join Master Gardener Ben Hunter as he shares his techniques and tips for growing the garden of your dreams. This session will focus on composting and planning your vegetable garden and is sponsored by the Northeast Tennessee Master Gardeners. On Feb. 22, the park will host its monthly "Old Time Music Jam." Enjoy a mix of old-time and traditional folk, Celtic and gospel music. Acoustic instruments such as fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, dulcimer (both kinds), autoharp, feet (no taps) are welcome. All who are interested in playing, learning about, or listening to old-time and traditional folk music are invited. Feel free to bring a recording device for learning purposes. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is located at 1651 W. Elk Ave. in Elizabethton. For more information, call 423-543-5808. TRI-CITIES CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE The Tri Cities Civil War Round Table is hosting a presentation by Dr. Daniel Feller titled "1860: The Second American Revolution?" Feller's presentation will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, in Room 219 of the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, 400 S. Wilcox Drive in Kingsport. This presentation is free and open to the public. In March 1861, in Savannah, Georgia, Alexander Stephens delivered a major speech hailing the birth of a new nation, the Confederate States of America. Stephens, a longtime Whig party congressman and once a friend of Abraham Lincoln, had himself just been elected as the new country's provisional vice president. His address celebrated what he called "one of the greatest revolutions in the annals of the world." As Stephens explained, the new Confederate government "preserved and perpetuated ... all the essentials of the old constitution" while introducing certain "great improvements." In his telling, the new nation did not repudiate or depart from the legacy of the original American Revolution. Rather, it perfected it. Thirty-two months later, in November 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a famous address at Gettysburg. Like Stephens, he harked back to the American Revolution and to the Declaration of Independence, but in an opposite way. Where Stephens hailed the fulfillment of America's promise, Lincoln warned of its destruction: the threat that with Confederate victory, "government of the people, by the people, for the people" would "perish from the earth." So which was it? Join us as Feller, a University of Tennessee historian, unpacks these dual legacies, the ways they played out over time, and how the Civil War brought them finally into direct confrontation and eventual resolution. Feller is distinguished professor in the humanities emeritus at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and editor/director emeritus of The Papers of Andrew Jackson. NETHERLAND INN AND HISTORIC BOATYARD The Netherland Inn is hosting a Journey to the Past presentation on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. "Retracing Boone's Trail" will be presented by Keith Wilson, president of the Wilderness Trail Association. Join the folks at the inn and learn about the development of this critical pathway to westward expansion for the new American nation. There is no charge for admission; however, seating is limited. Please call or text 423-483-0932 for reservations. HISTORIC BLOUNTVILLE Every Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., the Traditional Appalachian Music Heritage Association hosts a free jam session for old-time music in the Anderson Townhouse/Ralph Blizard Museum. Bring an instrument and join in or just stop by and listen while checking out the exhibits. The museum is in downtown Blountville, across from the old courthouse. Ned Jilton II is a photographer, history lover and columnist. You can contact him at ndjphoto@aol.com.