This Is Kingsport > Events

« All Events

Battle of Island Flats 250th Anniversary Commemoration

July 25 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
men dressed in old militia outfits for reenactment

Join us for a special 250th anniversary commemoration interpreting the Battle of Island Flats — the first major battle of the Cherokee War of 1776 and one of the opening conflicts of the American Revolution on the southern frontier — on Saturday, July 25, from 10 am to 3 pm and Sunday, July 26, from noon to 3 pm at Exchange Place Living History Farm, 4812 Orebank Road in Kingsport.

Fought near the Long Island of the Holston in July 1776, the battle saw frontier settlers and Virginia militia from Virginia’s New River Valley clash with Cherokee warriors led by Dragging Canoe during a coordinated campaign against the expanding settlements along the Holston, Watauga, and Nolichucky rivers. The battle marked a major turning point in the struggle for control of the southern Appalachian frontier and helped open Southwest Virginia, upper East Tennessee, and eventually Kentucky to expanding settlement.

At this two-day commemoration Cherokee interpreters from the Appalachian region and Virginia militia living historians will bring the frontier world of the 18th-century to life near the very landscape where these dramatic events unfolded. Visitors will experience:

  • Living History Encampments – Explore authentic frontier camps and learn about daily life on the Tennessee frontier during the Revolutionary era
  • Cherokee Cultural Interpretations – Learn about Cherokee history, lifeways, and the broader Cherokee War of 1776. Displays/activities will include regional Native American artifacts with the tribal archaeologist on hand to answer questions, Cherokee leather crafts and Native American music played on a Cherokee flute throughout the day
  • Historic Foodways – Discover the foods, cooking methods, and survival skills used by frontier settlers and Cherokee communities.
  • Battlefield Interpretation – Learn how the battle unfolded through maps, historical analysis and interpretation of the Island Flats battlefield.
  • Historic Weapons Demonstrations – See period long rifles, trade guns and other historic firearms with scheduled firing demonstrations and a display of war clubs with a weapons demonstration by the Cherokee War Chief.
  • Primary Sources & Historical Documents – View reproductions of original Revolutionary-era documents relating to the battle and its aftermath.

On Sunday, July 26, at 1 pm, Cherokee Medicine Man Lee “Ewani” Eames will give a presentation on “The Healing Herbs of the Appalachian Mountains.” He will bring with him some of the herbs that our ancestors have used for centuries throughout east Tennessee and surrounding areas, that have helped to heal and sustain both European and Native American descendants alike.

Sponsored by Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes and Exchange Place, this free event is part of Fun Fest. No ticket or registration is required. For more information and updates, contact 713–825–9131 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/exchange-place-kingsport-tn-1850s-farm/battle-of-island-flats-commemoration/1438188830844429/

Details

Organizer

Venue

Related Events

EVENT CALENDAR PURPOSE AND CRITERIA

A calendar has been created called the This is Kingsport events calendar which will serve as a non-public forum to provide citizens with information about social and organizational gatherings held within the city. The city will disseminate information to the public through this online calendar about social and organizational gatherings which are conducted or promoted by community partners with which the city currently has partnership agreements. Additionally, social or organizational gatherings held on city owned property to which the public at large is invited will be published on this calendar.

Each year the city enters into partnership agreements with multiple community partners some of whom in turn support the city by organizing events or promoting events of members and affiliates. By creating a common source for the dissemination of information about community events the city will be furthering its support of those community partners which in turn support the city. Moreover, the city wishes to and will benefit from highlighting gatherings which will be of benefit and enjoyment to the public.

Community partners may communicate their events or those which they promote to the city which will disseminate the information through the event calendar. Furthermore, the city of Kingsport will publish on the calendar those community events which are held on city property. In order to achieve the city’s goals only those events described herein will be published on the This is Kingsport event calendar which will be curated by city staff.