05/26/2026
Ashe County America 250th Celebration to be held on museum’s grounds, June 6th
On Saturday, June 6th form 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the Museum of Ashe County History will be hosting a special America 250th celebration on its grounds.
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. To commemorate the occasion, the museum and its partners have set aside a day to celebrate, learn, and reflect on our local history and how it ties into the broader narrative of the United States.
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 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 from the American Battlefield Trust titled “The American Revolution Experience” which touches on how the revolution affected people from different walks of life will also be available for public viewing during the event.
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 then later 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,” 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.
Food for the day will be provided by members of the Cowboy Church, who will be selling hot dogs and fish plates. Visitors will be able to purchase a hotdog meal for $6, which includes a hotdog, chips, and drink, or a fish plate, which includes fish, coleslaw, fries, hush puppies, and a drink for $12. The congregation will start serving food at 11 a.m. Proceeds from the food sale will benefit the Cowboy Church and their efforts to construct a church.
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
