Battle of Ramsour’s Mill Living History Weekend
The Battle of Ramsour's Mill Living History Weekend commemorates the June 20, 1780 Battle of Ramsour's Mill, when Whigs met Tories on a hillside just outside the little town of Lincolnton.
In 2023, the commemoration will take place the weekend of June 17 & 18 beginning with the laying of wreaths at the resting place of some 70 unknown in a grave near Battleground Elementary School.
In between, hearth cooking demonstrations by the Lincoln County Hearth Cooks, reenactments and weapons demonstrations, a militia encampment, tours, heritage demonstrations, battleground tours, and period crafts. Activities are free unless otherwise stated.
Friday, June 16
• Patriot's Gala, 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 403 E. Main St. Buffet followed by a program featuring esteemed attorney and historian Daniel Barefoot along with entertainment from our community and local filmmaker Michael Helms. Visit with special guests General George and Martha Washington and the cast of Thunder Over Carolina. Silent auction, quilt exhibit. Tickets are $35 per person and available at LCC.Booktix.com. 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.
• Ghost Walk, Tours approximately every 15 minutes from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Battleground near the Lincolnton High School football stadium. Park and enter via the practice field. Immerse yourself in the story of the Battle of Ramsour's Mill through the voices of the people who lived it. Tickets are $10 (6 and under free) and available in advance at thunderovercarolina.com or at the gate. Hosted by Thunder Over Carolina, Inc.
Saturday, June 17
• Battle of Ramsour's Mill Living History Weekend. Revolutionary War encampment, demonstrations, vendors, hearth cooking demonstrations by the Lincoln County Hearth Cooks, battlefield tours. 10 until 5 on Saturday and 10 until 2 on Sunday. All activities located in and around the Christian Reinhardt cabin on Jeb Seagle Drive near the Lincolnton High School stadium. Free and open to the public. Hosted by the Lincoln County Historical Association.
• Wreathlaying Ceremony at the mass gravesite on the hill overlooking Battleground Elementary School, 10 a.m. Parking in the practice field adjacent to the LHS football stadium on Jeb Seagle Road. Hosted by the Catawba Valley Sons of the American Revolution.
• Keynote speaker General George Washington, 1 p.m. in amphitheater area near the cabin. Hosted by the Lincoln County Historical Association and the Jacob Forney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
• Battlefield tours led by Bill Anderson at 2:15 and 5. Meet at the cabin.
• Ghost Walk, tours approximately every 15 minutes from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Battleground near the Lincolnton High School football stadium. Park and enter via the practice field. Immerse yourself in the story of the Battle of Ramsour's Mill through the voices of the people who lived it. Tickets are $10 (6 and under free) and available in advance at thunderovercarolina.com or at the gate. Hosted by Thunder Over Carolina, Inc.
Sunday, June 18
• Battle of Ramsour's Mill Living History Weekend. Revolutionary War encampment, demonstrations, vendors, hearth cooking demonstrations by the Lincoln County Hearth Cooks, battlefield tours. 10 until 2 on Sunday. All activities located in and around the Christian Reinhardt cabin on Jeb Seagle Drive near the Lincolnton High School stadium. Free and open to the public. Hosted by the Lincoln County Historical Association.
• Colonial Church Service next to the Christian Reinhardt cabin, 10 a.m.
• Battlefield tour led by Bill Anderson at 11 a.m. Meet at the cabin.
• Camp closes, 2 p.m.
HOW TO GET THERE: Activities will be staged in and around the Christian Reinhardt cabin behind Battleground Elementary School and near the Lincolnton High School Football Stadium. Come to Lincolnton High School and follow the signs to the festival site and free parking.