2nd Annual Holiday Event a Success

Girl playing hammer dulcimer

Ninety Six National Historic Site

News Release Date: November 27, 2007

Contact: Melinda M Zupon, 864-543-4068

(Ninety Six, SC) – Over 230 people started a new holiday tradition by stepping back into history. Ninety Six National Historic Site hosted “A Backcountry Holiday” on Saturday, November 24, 2007. The past came to life as visitors walked into the historic late 18^th century Black Swan Tavern, where costumed interpreters greeted them. 

Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed the warmth of the fireplace and listened to Colonial holiday music played on the hammer dulcimer while learning how colonial settlers celebrated the holiday season. The smell of baking bread drifted through from the traditional beehive oven as kids of all ages made sachets and pomanders. Between tasting cookies and hot apple cider, many children played traditional colonial games and learned about Cherokee Indians on the Tavern’s back porch. Families were able to learn about the Park’s extensive history during leisurely tours of the park’s historic trail. Lastly, visitors enjoyed the Park museum, where the clothing and artifact displays have been updated, and an original 1936 lithograph full color replica of “The Boston Massacre- by Paul Revere, May 5, 1770” was on temporary display courtesy of re-enactor Scott Hodges. 

Two Ninety Six NHS park staff members, three park volunteers, ten living history interpreters, and one staff member from CowpensNB presented the event. Visitors came from nine states including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, and as far away as Belgium and Vietnam.  

The historic Black Swan Tavern is only open to the public during special events. All events at Ninety Six National Historic Site are free and visitors are invited to spend an hour or spend the day. The Park is part of the National Park Service and is open daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed only New Years’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day), and is located two miles south of Ninety Six on SC Highway 248.  Contact the park for details at [phone] or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/nisi for upcoming events and pictures of past events.             

--END--