Montgomery County Heritage Day Brings 1800s to Life at Historic Collinsville
June 13, 2024
Clarksville, TN – On Saturday, June 8th, 2024, Historic Collinsville in rural Montgomery County hosted its special “Second Saturday” event for June, celebrating Montgomery County Heritage Day. From 10:00am to 4:00pm, visitors were transported back in time to experience the unique lifestyle of Montgomery County in the 1800s.
Montgomery County Heritage Day provided a vibrant and immersive opportunity for visitors to delve into local history. Reenactors brought the past to life, portraying Civil War soldiers, civilians, and spies.
Montgomery County Heritage Days at Historic Collinsville. (Mark Haynes, Clarksville Online)
Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center holds ‘March to the Past’ Event
May 14, 2024
Clarksville, TN – On Saturday, May 11th, 2024, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, the Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center hosted its annual “March to the Past” event. Visitors had the opportunity to step back in time and experience life during the Civil War era.
The weather was ideal, with a gentle breeze in the air.
“We couldn’t have hoped for better weather, especially considering the rain we’ve experienced in the past few days. Today was truly a blessing—a fantastic day,” William Parker, Historical Interpreter at Fort Defiance, said.
Porter’s Battery firing a six pound cannon at Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center’s annual ‘March to the Past’ Event. (Mark Haynes, Discover Clarksville)
Clarksville Civil War Roundtable to hold next meeting on May 15th, 2024
May 13, 2024
Clarksville, TN – The Clarksville Civil War Roundtable announces its May 2024 program and speaker. The meeting is always open to interested members of the public.
The next Clarksville (TN) Civil War Roundtable meeting will be on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, at Fort Defiance Park, our new home, 120 Duncan Street, off New Providence Boulevard. Turn onto Walker Street off New Providence Boulevard and then onto Duncan Street.
Step Back in Time: Fort Defiance Park to hold ‘March to the Past’ Event this Saturday, May 11th
May 9, 2024
Clarksville, TN – Have you ever wanted to experience life in the 19th century? Look no further than Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center’s upcoming event, March to the Past. On Saturday, May 11th, 2024, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, visitors can step back in time and get a glimpse of what life was like during the Civil War era.
Partnering with The Friends of Fort Defiance, this event promises to be an immersive experience with 19th-century living history demonstrations. Attendees can witness Civil War camp life, watch musket and artillery firing by Clarksville’s own Porter’s Battery, learn about period cooking, and even participate in fun children’s activities.
Musket firing demonstration at the March to the Past event at Fort Defiance Civil War Par. (Mark Haynes, Clarksville Online)
Fort Defiance Civil War Park to hold March to the Past this Saturday
May 8, 2023
Clarksville, TN – Have you ever wanted to experience life in the 19th century? Look no further than Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center’s upcoming event, March to the Past. On Saturday, May 13th, 2023 from 10:00am to 3:00pm, visitors can step back in time and get a glimpse of what life was like during the Civil War era.
Partnering with The Friends of Fort Defiance, this event promises to be an immersive experience with 19th-century living history demonstrations. Attendees can witness Civil War camp life, watch musket and artillery firing, learn about period cooking, and even participate in fun children’s activities.
Flintlock musket firing demonstration at Clarksville’s Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center. (Mark Haynes, Clarksville Online)
Fort Defiance Interpretive Center to hold Surrender of Clarksville event on February 18th
February 12, 2023
Clarksville, TN – Fort Defiance Interpretive Center will host a living history event on Saturday, February 18th, from 10:00am to 3:00pm to commemorate the surrender of Fort Defiance to Union soldiers in 1862.
The surrender of Clarksville was a significant event in Civil War history, opening the South to Union forces and the capture of Nashville. Uniformed soldiers will provide living history and cannon-firing demonstrations. Visitors are invited to tour the permanent exhibit and view the film, “Crossroads of Change.”
”The surrender event is one of the biggest and oldest annual events at Fort Defiance,” said Roxanne Jenkins, Associate Historical Interpreter At Fort Defiance. “There will be something for everyone to enjoy. The movie “Crossroads of Change” provides the unique perspective of an eye witness account to this time in the city’s history.
Flintlock musket firing demonstration at Clarksville’s Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center. (Mark Haynes, Clarksville Online)
Author Mark Zimmerman to speak at Fort Defiance
January 17, 2023
Clarksville, TN – Author and amateur historian Mark Zimmerman will speak on Saturday, January 21st at Fort Defiance starting at 11:00am. His lecture will detail more about the role Middle Tennessee and Nashville played in the Western Theater and Nashville’s importance in the Civil War.
The event titled, “Fortress Nashville: The Key to Victory in the Western Theater” is based on his recent book, “Fortress Nashville: Pioneers, Engineers, Mechanics, Contrabands & US Colored Troops.” The book was recently named a Top Ten Book of 2022 by Civil War Books and Authors.
Historic Collinsville Announces Family-Friendly Fall Events
September 18, 2022
Clarksville, TN – Hear live music and history at Historic Collinsville’s Picnic & Pickin’ event on September 24th, 2022. The event will begin at 11:00am and run until 3:00pm.
In addition to the live music from a 19th-century style string band and tours of the 16 buildings on site, guests are welcome to watch demonstrations of axe throwing, corn shelling, spinning and weaving, herbal medicine, and writing with dip pens.
Children and chaperones walk towards one of the 16 buildings at Historic Collinsville during a group trip.
Historians will be present to share stories and answer any questions. Tickets are $10.00 for ages 13 and above, $5.00 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages 5 and under.
The pioneer settlement will be hosting another round of its children’s mini camps between October 13th and October 15th. The camps focus on three topics: Civil War code-breaking and intelligence gathering, the daily life of a Civil War soldier, and Civil War toys and games. Each camp cost $35.00 and runs from 9:00am until Noon.
Historic Collinsville’s final event of the season will be a family-friendly Halloween celebration on October 29th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Spooky Stories and S’mores will feature three sessions of eerie tales from Montgomery County’s past.
The stories get progressively scarier throughout the night so guests can come and go as they please. S’mores kits will be provided to each guest to enjoy during the stories. Tickets are $10.00 for ages 13 and above, $5.00 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages 5 and under.
About Historic Collinsville The pioneer settlement opened in 1974 to give children a “hands-on” experience outside of the classroom about life from the 1840s through the turn of the century. It has been open to the public since 1997, recreating the past with restored historical structures, each filled with authentic period furnishings that show a glimpse of life before and after the Civil War.
Once at Collinsville, guests can stroll through a re-creation of the past from the earliest “first home” to the expansive Dogtrot House, a tobacco-drying house, smokehouse, church/schoolhouse, wildlife center, loom house, cobbler’s shop, teacher’s home and more. Picnic tables are placed throughout the property and a covered pavilion with tables and restrooms is also on site. A visitor center greets guests and offers period souvenirs.
Historic Collinsville is located at 4711 Weakley Road, Southside Tennessee.
About Historic Collinsville
Montgomery County Government purchased Historic Collinsville from founders Glenn and JoAnn Weakley in 2018, who both passed away in September 2021. Visit Clarksville operates the property for the county.
For more information about Historic Collinsville please visit www.historiccollinsville.com, follow them on Facebook, contact Kristy Proctor by phone at 931.551.6535 or email kristy@visitclarksvilletn.com, or Mark Britton at mark@visitclarksvilletn.com
Fort Defiance to host March to the Past
May 12, 2022
Clarksville, TN – Ever wondered what 19th-century life was like? Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center will host March to the Past on Saturday, May 14th from 10:00am to 3:00pm to give you a glimpse into that time.
The event, in collaboration with The Friends of Fort Defiance, will be a day of 19th-century living history demonstrations including Civil War camp life, musket and artillery firing, period cooking, and children’s activities.
March to the Past
Surrender Clarksville as held at Fort Defiance this past Saturday
February 25, 2022
Clarksville, TN – Fort Defiance Interpretive Center hosted a living history event on Saturday, commemorating the surrender of Fort Defiance to Union Soldiers in 1862.
Re-enactors, dressed in costumes from the time, were demonstrating different aspects of life in Clarksville during the Civil War. Refreshments were provided that used recipes, ingredients and techniques that were available in the 19th century.
Hundreds of visitors, mostly families, came out throughout the day and spent time learning a little Clarksville history from more than a dozen volunteers that were on site.
Fort Defiance hosted a Surrender of Clarksville event on Saturday, February 19th, 2022.
