Lincolnton Celebrates History This Weekend

The welcome signs say "Welcometo Historic Lincoln County," and this weekend, two historic events, one local and one national, will be celebrated here.

June 20th (next Tuesday) is the 243rd anniversary of the Revolutionary War Battle of Ramsour's Mill. The celebration of that battle, fought near Lincolnton, will take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 16th-18th).

The battle, fought between local Patriots and Loyalists, left at least 100 dead and 200 wounded. It is credited for diminishing local support for the British cause, paving the way for a Loyalist defeat at King’s Mountain in October.

Friday events include a Patriot’s Gala at 6:30 PM at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 403 E. Main St. A buffet will be followed by a program featuring Lincolnton attorney and historian Dr. Daniel Barefoot. Local filmmaker Michael Helms, who premiered his film "Let It End Here" last Friday (June 9th) at the Cultural Center, will offer a reprise of the film.

Those attending can also visit with special guests 'General George and Martha Washington' and the cast of "Thunder Over Carolina."

All the tickets for this event have been sold.  The gala is being hosted by the Jacob Forney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Catawba Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Also Friday evening (from 6 - 9 PM) members of the cast and others associated with "Thunder Over Carolina" will have Ghost Walk tours of the battleground (one approximately every 15 minutes). Tickets are $10 (children 6 and under free) and available in advance at thunderovercarolina.com or at the gate. The Ghost Walks will also be available from 6 - 9 PM Saturday.

The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill Living History Weekend includes activities both Saturday and Sunday--a Revolutionary War encampment, demonstrations, vendors, the annual wreathlaying event at the unmarked gravesite adjacent to Battleground School Saturday at 10 AM and other activities throughout the day around the Christian Reinhardt cabin. Special guests will include the Tryon Militia, Locke's Militia, Mecklenburg Militia, Dragonfly Traders, Peter Werner (broommaker), the Old Goat Trader, Lincoln County Hearth Cooks (who'll do a cooking demonstration), and special keynote speaker, 'General George Washington' (1 PM Saturday). Bill Anderson will conduct battlefield tours Saturday at 2:15 and 5 PM and Sunday at 11 AM following a Colonial Church Service next to the Christian Reinhardt cabin at 10 AM. The camp will close at 2 PM Sunday. The event is FREE to anyone who would like to attend, hosted by the Lincoln County Historical Association.

Also happening this Saturday as well as Monday (June 19th) is Lincoln County's observance of Juneteenth. Saturday's Juneteenth program will be on Main Street in downtown Lincolnton from 2 until 8 PM and on Monday from 11 AM until 2 PM at Tucker's Grove Campground on Highway 73. [See separate article for more details on Juneteenth.]