Tom and I recently had the opportunity to celebrate Davy Crockett’s birthday.  This was a special celebration held by the Crockett Tavern Museum in Morristown, Tennessee.  We visited the museum two years ago when we were here.  The people at the Crockett Tavern Museum invited Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to come down and be a part of this special event.  Ranger Lucas, Tom and I went down to do living history and represent the park.

Davy Crockett was born on August 17, so the birthday celebration is the Saturday closest to that.  This year it was held on Saturday, August 16.  The event ran from 2 until 5 and a range of living history people came.  Isaac and Tara White are the new directors of the museum.  They enjoy portraying Davy Crockett and his wife Polly.  Other living historians present included two blacksmiths, several folks from Wilderness Road State Park, and some musicians.

Tom and Ranger Lucas were both situated outside the tavern.  Tom started out in the shade but ended up in the sun.  Ranger Lucas was making musket balls, so he had a fire going.  It was 97 that day, so the only good thing about being outside was the nice breeze that made it bearable.

I was inside the tavern, which was shaded but not air conditioned.  I shared a room with Troy, who I met two years ago at the Longstreet Museum, and his fiancé.  Troy was talking about fabric manufacture in the area and the job of a tailor.  There wasn’t any breeze inside the tavern.  I was spinning and, as I sweated, the wool stuck to my hands.  I couldn’t spin with wet hands, so I constantly wiped them on my apron.  Sweat ran down my face and was getting in my eyes, so I used my apron to wipe my face.  Which resulted in wool fibers all over my face.  By 5 p.m. I was sticky, soaking with sweat, and had gone through all the fluids I brought.

We had lots of visitors stop by.  Over 300 people attended during the three hours of the Davy Crockett birthday celebration.  There were speeches, storytelling, and musical performances.  They also had birthday cookies and bottled water for the guests.  I took the opportunity to walk around outside as much as possible.  It was interesting to talk to the other living historians.  I am getting to know the guys from Wilderness Road State Park pretty well after seeing them at multiple events this summer.

By the end of the day, we were all hot and exhausted.  The drive back to the park from Morristown was quieter than the drive down.  But we all agreed that it was a fun afternoon.  It is always fun to get away from routine and talk to a different group of folks.