Topic: Port Royal

All that remains …

By Beth Britton | November 14, 2008 |

“Since history has no properly scientific value, its only purpose is educative. And if historians neglect to educate the public, if they fail to interest it intelligently in the past, then all their historical learning is valueless except in so far as it educates themselves.” G. M. Trevelyan.

The Port Royal Covered Bridge has finally been dismantled and hauled away to reinvent itself as a sturdy barn for a local farmer. The actual removal process on both sides of the river took about three weeks total, but the effect will have on the park could take years to overcome. I did not grow up here in Clarksville, nor did any of my family, so for me it has been hard to find sympathy for the dedicated supporters of the remains of the bridge.

The bridge was first built in 1903, then fell during construction, killing one young boy; it was rebuilt and then fell again in the 1970’s due to a storm and was rebuilt again and fell in the mid 1990’s to flooding, where it remained until recently. The original bridge was much larger than its later versions and only served the community of Port Royal for a short time in its history. However, there were many fond times there, weddings, schoolboy mischief, stolen kisses and family outings. «Read the rest of this article»

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Port Royal Lantern Tour unveils treasures of local history

By Turner McCullough Jr. | November 11, 2008 |

This nighttime lantern tour of the historic state park offers visitors insight into aspects of local history not readily available, and, too often, not pursued. Moving along softly illuminated trails, re-enactors share the area’s secrets for willing ears.

In what is hopefully to become an annual event, the Port Royal Historic State Park, now listed as an official Trail of Tears Park, staged their Lantern History Tour. The tour was not a Halloween fright-type of celebration, but rather an effort to share the history of this most under-appreciated area of Montgomery County and it’s contributions to Clarksville’s history. The Lantern Tour is the result of the combined efforts of The Friends of Port Royal and the Port Royal Park staff and supporters. The event, which was free to the public, ended with a roaring bonfire, toasted marshmallows and hot cider.

Col. John Montgomery

Entering the park along and down the candle-lit pathway, visitors first encounter a Longhunter, Colonel John Montgomery, played by Michael Ramsey, an APSU student and volunteer at Mansker Station in Goodlettsville. The colonel’s story relates experiences of his life spent trapping in Port Royal and exploration of the region in 1771. Leaving the colonel with his trusty long rifle, visitors move further on into the park, guided by illuminated mini-torch baggettes.

Next on the trail is an early settler woman, Susannah McFadden, portrayed by Silvia Britton, also a Mansker Station volunteer. Susannah relates the experience of living on the new frontier, its hardships, her surprises and her experiences of taking pioneers into the new frontier of 1790. She is an unusual entity, being a woman frontier guide in 1790. «Read the rest of this article»

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Port Royal Historic Park offers tours by Lantern light

By Beth Britton | October 20, 2008 |

Have you ever wondered what John Montgomery thought as he sat out on a long hunters journey? Or perhaps you have always wanted to know how early settlers’ wives made a Fort into a home? Just how mysterious was that historic night when Dr. Hopson tended to the Bell Family and their spirit troubles?

On a moonlit Lantern tour of Historic Port Royal, you can find the answers to these questions and more, including a first hand account of the Cherokee traveling the Trail of Tears, what really happened during the Tobacco Wars, and the theories surrounding the end of the Silk Mill.

On Thursday, October 23, at  6 p.m., tours will step into Port Royal’s past, with groups leaving the Port Royal State Historic Park Interpretive Center every twenty minuets until 9 p.m. Each stop along the way will be 8-10 minutes long, for a total of an hour long tour. The tours are free and open to the public. «Read the rest of this article»

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11th Inter-Tribal Powwow: festive color, music and motion

By Turner McCullough Jr. | October 15, 2008 |

The Native Cultural Circle hosted its 11th Annual Inter-Tribal Powwow with solemn ceremony and colorful celebration. Traditional and fancy dancing, Native arts and crafts, food vendors, accomplished Native musicians and a multitude of Native dances provided two days of fellowship, camaraderie and socialization.

Clarksville was treated to two days of Native American cultural heritage displays at the Native Cultural Circle’s 11th Annual Inter-Tribal Powwow. The powwow is held on the second weekend of October at the Port Royal campground just up from the Port Royal State Park. Visitors were treated to vendors displaying authentic Native arts and crafts ranging from gemstones, flutes, and leathers, to herbs, clothing and fine art. Music for the Powwow was performed by The White Horse Singers from Alabama, Faron Weeks Drumkeeper and Powwow MC; and the Southern Echo of Crossville, TN, Burt Cox, Sr. Drumkeepe. Traditional dances performed included Ladies Fancy Shawl, Ladies Jingles Dance, Men’s Fancy, to name a few.

This year’s Powwow Head Lady was Loretta Howard. Head Man was Michael Veal, Alternate Head Man was Christopher Cosby. They lead the opening procession during the Traditional and Inter-Tribal dances into the Dance Circle. The dancers regalia- native dress costumes, reflect traditional clothing styles. Many dancers displayed regalia that reflected considerable time and attention to detail and craftsmanship. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Education, Events, News, Politics, Spirituality | 1 Comment »

Native Cultural Circle hosts Inter-Tribal Powwow is this weekend, October 11-12!

By Turner McCullough Jr. | October 9, 2008 |

The Native Cultural Circle’s 11th annual PowWow will showcase traditions, culture and customs in a truthful reflection of Tennessee native people. Songs, dance, drums, regalia, arts and crafts are all part of this Native Culture celebration.

The public is invited to attend the Native American Cultural Circle’s 11th annual Inter-Tribal Powwow on October 11-12. The powwow will be held at the campgrounds outside Port Royal State Park, Hwy 238 Port Royal Road. The gate opens Saturday at 9 a.m. and the powwow will continue until 6 p.m.  On Sunday, the PowWow runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when the “The Retiring of the Colors” ends the event.

The Trail of Tears March Commemorative Re-Enactment will kick-off the powwow opening. Activities will then focus on the powwow grounds site starting with “The Posting of The Colors.” «Read the rest of this article»

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Trail of Tears Commemorative Day to kick off 11th Annual Inter-Tribal PowWow

By Turner McCullough Jr. | October 7, 2008 |

The Trail of Tears Commemorative Day will lead off the Native Cultural Circle’s annual Inter-Tribal PowWow. The Port Royal site is the only remaining uncovered segment of the original trail in Tennessee.

October 11 and 12th. Mark your calendars. The second weekend of October is just around the corner. That means the Native Cultural Circle’s Inter-Tribal PowWow is here. Every year the group hosts the annual two-day powwow as a means of educating the general public about Tennessee’s native peoples traditions, culture and customs.

Clarksville is blessed, in that the powwow site has truly historic significance, because it is staged adjacent to last remaining uncovered segment of the Trail of Tears in Tennessee. The land is included in the Port Royal State Historic Park, where the quiet beauty of the area is well suited to the occasion. «Read the rest of this article»

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Trail of Tears re-enactment ceremony at Port Royal State Historic Area

By Debbie Boen | October 17, 2007 |

Part of the Trail of Tears has never been paved over and lies in its original condition at Port Royal State Historic Area. In a reenactment ceremony Saturday Oct. 13th, Cherokee representatives and others walked a section of the Trail of Tears and then up to Port Royal State Historic Area where they met with State Park representatives, the Friends of Port Royal, and five highly decorated military veterans.

Visitors witnessed an exchange of flags, Cherokee for American; then all payed respects to each flag through the playing of “Colors” to raise the State and National flags and the playing of “Taps” while the Cherokee flag stood erect. It was a welcoming, honoring ceremony that is way overdue the Cherokee in our nation.Speakers, including Port Royal Conservation Worker, David Britton, and Tennessee State Park Resource Manager Jack Gilpin addressed the gathering.

Barely an eye was dry in remembrance of the sufferings of the Cherokee and other Indian nations during the Trail of Tears. Already integrated into white society, they were forced from their homes into the march that took 4,000 lives between Florida and Oklahoma. «Read the rest of this article»

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David Britton to speak at Friends of Port Royal meeting

By Debbie Boen | August 6, 2007 |

The Friends of Port Royal will host David Britton as guest speaker on Thursday, August 9, at Port Royal State Historic Park.  Britton is a Conservation Worker who resides at Port Royal Historic Park. For those who haven’t seen Port Royal recently, a lot of improvements have been going on there, most of them created or directed by Britton under the supervision of Park Manager Robert Wells. He joined the Park staff about a year ago, bringing  his love of history and high energy into the effort of preserving the natural history that resonates at the Park.

The event will begin at 6:30 PM. Refreshments will be served. The Park is located at  3300 Old Clarksville Hwy, Adams, TN.  For more information, call  (931) 358-9696.

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