Overmountain Victory Trail Association members dress in their period-appropriate clothes in preparation for the annual reenactment of the march on the way to the Revolutionary War battle of Kings Mountain.
The Sibelco Schoolhouse Quartz Plant this past week hosted about 350 guests again during the annual Overmountain Victory Trail Association event.
Because of the pandemic, only OVTA members attended the last two events but last week’s visitors included local students, teachers and community members. After the program, Sibelco Schoolhouse provided lunch for all the guests.
The Overmountain Victory Trail Association’s mission is to “preserve, protect and interpret” history. Attendees were taught about the march of the Overmountain men who traveled and camped in the area en route to the Revolutionary War battle of King’s Mountain.
Several reenactors told stories, sang songs and demonstrated period weapons. Visitors were granted a tour of Bright’s Cemetery, which is located on the Sibelco land.
The cemetery is the final resting place of Revolutionary War Captain Robert Sevier. The property also has about 100 acres of open farmland and an abundance of surrounding woodlands.
Sibelco Schoolhouse environmental supervisor Jody McKinney preserves the farm and the setting at the cemetery. He also aids Sibelco in the management of the property as a wildlife habitat. He makes sure that the hayfields are cleared and annually puts out wildlife food plots to encourage deer, bear, turkey and fishing along the North Toe River. He spruced up the property for the OVTA event.
A roster of other volunteers was instrumental in running the event and serving lunch.