Discovery Park of America will mark David Crockett’s 236th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 with interactive activities, live demonstrations and the opening of a new blacksmith’s forge at the heritage park’s turn-of-the-twentieth century town reproduction, Mill Ridge

The new forge is the result of a partnership between Discovery Park and the Tennessee River Artist Blacksmith Association (TRABA), an organization that offers various opportunities for the public to learn about blacksmithing. Demonstrations of the new forge at Discovery Park will take place periodically throughout the year and will provide an opportunity for guests to experience blacksmiths using the forge to create various projects from start to finish.

Find the full schedule of activities for the David Crockett Celebration below.

Ribbon Cutting for the New Forge with the Tennessee River Artist Blacksmith Association

10:45 a.m. – 11 a.m.

The Smithy at Mill Ridge

Operation of the Brewer-Austin Gristmill

11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

The Gristmill at Mill Ridge

 1800s Natural Medical Practices

Noon – 12:30 p.m.

The Heritage Garden at The Settlement

Birds of Prey program presented by Reelfoot Lake State Park

11:30 a.m. – Noon and 2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The Touch Table in The Regional History Gallery

Mulberry Jam

1 – 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 – 3:15 p.m.

The Pole Barn at The Settlement

This five-piece traditional group (fiddle, guitar, mandolin, double bass and mountain dulcimer) performs period songs of the 1800’s

Wildlife of West Tennessee in Crockett’s Time

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The Touch Table in The Regional History Gallery

Other activities throughout the day: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

J.C. Stahlman’s: The Living Historians The Great Lawn

Forge Demonstrations by Tennessee River Artist Blacksmith Association The Smithy at Mill Ridge

Native American Skills, crafts and cooking education with homemade fry bread available for purchase The Settlement

The Family Community Education Crystal Club of the UT/TSU Extension Program Artisans Cabin at The Settlement

Demonstrations of traditional skills and crafts including candle and soap making and spinning and weaving The Settlement

Free Happy Birthday David Crockett cupcakes (while supplies last) Sabin’s Cafe

Visitors will also find many other ways to experience David Crockett at Discovery Park that are at the museum and park all year long. Included is a statue dedicated to the frontiersman, a congressional exhibit in Liberty Hall at Freedom Square, a reproduction of Crockett’s portrait by John Gadsby Chapman, a replica of his first and fondest rifle, the Regional History Gallery telling the story of Northwest Tennessee, a 20,000-gallon aquarium and tanks featuring the wildlife of Reelfoot Lake, a one-of-a-kind Earthquake Simulator, the Native American Gallery, an 1800s Tennessee log cabin community, Mill Ridge featuring a working gristmill and the new forge and more.

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