200th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
It’s an anniversary party and you are invited! Saturday, May 5, the historic Netherland Inn and Boatyard Complex will open for the 2018 season with a day-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of Richard Netherland’s purchase of King’s Boatyard, the birthplace of Kingsport.
The Inn grounds will open at 10:00 a.m. with a formal commemorative program beginning at the Pavilion at 10:30. The ceremony will include a multi-chapter Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard in period dress, Sycamore Shoals Fife and Drum Corps, special music by Cecile Wimberley and Debbie Price, a brief history of the site, presentation of a special birthday cake from Great American Cookies, and recognition of guests including descendants of Richard and Margaret Netherland. The ceremony will conclude with the firing of musket volleys to officially kick off the 2018 season.
Special events will continue throughout the day. Judy Womack will showcase the life frontier life of Rebecca Boone, wife of Daniel, at 12, 12:40, and 1:00, in the Boone Cabin. In the Bank Barn Pioneer Transportation Museum Kingsport author, David Oaks, will give readings from his latest book, Force in the Mountains, beginning at 11:00. Also in the Barn talented carousel carver and painter Joe Pilkenton will demonstrate his craft and his use of 3-D printer to produce his sculptures of Daniel Boone. Dave Carr and select members of the SAR will demonstrate and lead discussions of Revolutionary War uniforms, weapons, and camp life. Surprise events will be available for children.
From 11:00 to 2:00, a lunch of soup beans and cornbread or hot dogs will be available by donation and will include serving of the birthday cake from Great American Cookies. Music will be provided by Poplar Hill Reunion Band. Guided tours of the historic Inn will take place at 12:00, 1:00, and 2:00. Admission to this event is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Come out and celebrate the rich history of Kingsport, the original gateway to the west!
The Netherland Inn is the only site on the National Register of Historic Places to have been both a boatyard and a stagecoach stop and is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays, May through October, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. with the last tour beginning at 3:30. The Netherland Inn Association is an all-volunteer organization, and volunteers are needed and welcome.
For information concerning the Inn, the 200th Anniversary Celebration, or to volunteer please call 423-246-1104 or 423-948-0361, or email lightmd@charter.net.