Ashe County America 250th Celebration
Join us on Saturday, June 6th, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as we celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial!
2026 is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. To mark the occasion, we will be holding a 250th Celebration on the grounds of the Museum of Ashe County History to celebrate, learn, and reflect on both our nation and our local history.
Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to chat with living historians in 18th-century attire, learn about life in Revolutionary-era Appalachia, and hear about various trades and crafts from the time period. There will also be light refreshments, kids' activities, information booths from local organizations, and guests will have a chance to tour the museum's recently restored 19th-century cabin. A special pop-up exhibit about the Battle of Kings Mountain, courtesy of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, will also be available for viewing.
At 11 p.m. members of the Daniel Boone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be reading a portion of the Declaration of Independence.
At 1 p.m. historian and author Michael C. Hardy will give a lecture on his newest book, "Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee and the American Revolution." Mr. Hardy is the author of 28 books pertaining to state and local history and was the 2010 North Carolina Historian of the Year. He spends most weekends as a volunteer interpreter at various historic sites.
The museum will also be showing a brief documentary by local film maker, Clint Johnson about the ride of Martin Gambill which occurred in the lead up to the Battle of kings Mountain. There will also be a performance by The Gathering of Home School Theater Guild at 4 p.m., who will be performing “Hang Together.” Hang Together is an original musical that charts the tumultuous years from the passage of the Intolerable Acts in 1774 to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
This event is FREE and open to the public and will take place on the grounds of the Museum of Ashe County History located at 301 E. Main Street in Jefferson, NC. For more information, call (336) 846-1904. In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved inside the museum.
This project is supported through a grant from America 250 NC, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Schedule of Events for 250th Ashe County 250th Celebration
10:45 a.m. Welcome, Museum Staff and Board of Directors
11:00 a.m. Reading of Declaration of Independence by Daniel Boone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
12:15 p.m. The Ride of Martin Gambill, A documentary by Clint Johnson.
1 p.m. "Western North Carolina & Eastern Tennessee in the American Revolution," A Lecture by Michael C. Hardy
3:00 p.m. The Ride of Martin Gambill, A documentary by Clint Johnson
4 p.m. Songs from Hang Together by The Gathering Homeschool Theatre Guild: Hang Together is an original musical that charts the tumultuous years from the passage of the Intolerable Acts in 1774 to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
This project is supported through a grant from America 250 NC, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
