The Friends of Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park will present the 2nd South Carolina String Band in concert at Point Park on Lookout Mountain Saturday. The concert begins at 2 p.m. and is free with paid admission to Point Park ($3 per person ages 16 and above, free for ages 15 and under). Bring a chair and enjoy the sounds of Civil War period music.
The 2nd South Carolina String Band uses mid-19th century instruments to present music as it was heard throughout the north and south during the Civil War.
The band has been featured in films and documentaries, including “Gods & Generals” and Ken Burn’s “Mark Twain.” Winners of the prestigious Stephen Collins Foster Award in recognition of their contributions to the preservation of 19th century American music, the 2nd South Carolina Band offers listeners a chance to “eavesdrop on history” as they play the songs that impacted the American people through the mid-1800s.
The songs and instrumental tunes performed by the 2nd South Carolina String Band would have been considered the “pop” music of the period between the 1820s to 1860s and beyond when Americans were determined to reject the European classical music forms and find their own distinctly American musical voice. The songs are filled with the language, slang, and experiences of the common man, and its impact on American culture echoes still today.
Additionally, there will be artillery demonstrations at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. and Park Rangers will lead guided tours of Point Park at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m.
This is one of many special events hosted by the Friends and the Park in commemoration of this year’s 150th anniversary of the Campaign for Chattanooga. Visit the Friends website at www.friendsofchch.org or call 648-5623 to find out about additional events and how to be part of the 150th commemorations.
Friends of the Park is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park for the benefit of the American public. Encompassing 9,100 acres and spanning the boundaries of Tennessee and Georgia, our local National Park’s major units include Chickamauga Battlefield, Lookout Mountain Battlefield, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob, Signal Point and Moccasin Bend. The Park preserves the American history and natural beauty of its spaces, commemorating stories of conflict, change, reconciliation and reunion.