Fort Taylor Living History Weekend
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-16, 2022-11-19 - 2022-11-20, 2022-12-17 - 2022-12-18, 2023-01-21 - 2023-01-22, 2023-02-18 - 2023-02-19 | Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, 601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL, 33040, United States
Fort Taylor Living History Weekend

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Celebrate Florida’s rich history at Fort Taylor Living History Weekend on the third Saturday and Sunday of each month at Historic Fort Taylor, America’s Southernmost Civil War Fortress in Key West, Florida. Join our re-enactors as they set up tents, clean their weapons and fire up the blacksmith shop. Climb the circular stairways and experience the harbor view just as the soldiers did in 1861. Walk down our cannon row and touch the actual cannons used to protect this Union stronghold. Tours will be available and public interaction is strongly recommended. Re-enactor participation varies by weekend and weather conditions.
Year Round
On the third weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each of month, Fort Taylor Living History Weekend offers you the opportunity to experience life in the fort as it was during the Civil War.
Location
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
601 Howard England Way
Key West, FL 33040
More Information: Kevin Bowes, kevin.bowes@dep.state.fl.us (305) 292-6850
The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. The fort closes at 5:00 p.m.
Admission Fees:
$6.00* per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$2.00* Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
$4.00* Single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle.
* Plus $.50 per person Monroe County Surcharge.
History of Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Spanish explorers first surveyed the island of Key West in 1513. After the Florida territory was transferred to the U.S., the Navy established a small depot here in 1822 to rid the area of pirates. Fishing, salvaging wrecked ships and cigar manufacturing became the driving economic forces behind the island’s growth making Key West the richest city in Florida in the 1890s. The U.S. Army began construction of Fort Taylor, named for President Zachary Taylor, in 1845. With secession and the beginning of war in 1861, Fort Taylor remained under federal control — one of only three fortresses in Florida to do so — and served as the headquarters for the Federal Navy’s East Gulf Coast Blockading Squadron staying on ‘active duty’ status through 1947. Today, the fort is a National Historic Landmark containing the largest cache of Civil War-era seacoast cannons in the U.S.
Cannon and Arches
Union troops took control of Fort Zachary Taylor early in the Civil War and maintained it through the duration of the war. They made use of the fort’s impressive artillery, including 10-inch Rodman and Columbiad cannons to detain blockade-running ships seeking to supply the Confederacy. In 1968, a large supply of Civil War-era guns and ammunition were discovered in the Fort’s buried arsenal. In fact, Fort Zachary Taylor held the largest collection of Civil War-era cannons in the United States.
Fort Moat
Soon after the park opened to the public, a contractor began the process of digging a moat around the fortress. There were two reasons for the project. One was to prevent easy entry into the structure. The other was to give the illusion of the fort in its early days, surrounded by water. The end result was an attractive division between the fort and the beach and sea beyond.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Fort Taylor Living History Weekend on the third Saturday and Sunday of each month at Historic Fort Taylor in Key West, Florida.
Tags: Fort Taylor Living History Weekend, Fort Zachary Taylor Living History Weekend, Ft Taylor Living History Weekend
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Tennessee River Rendezvous
2023-04-14 - 2023-04-15 | Smith Family Farm, Smith Family Farm, 215 Ashley Road, TN, 38370, United States
2023 Tennessee River Rendezvous: 2 days of storytelling, experiencing decades with in-character portrayals.
HARDIN COUNTY, TENNESSEE ……History comes alive in the river town of Saltillo, Tennessee on April 14-15, 2023 at the 3rd Annual Tennessee River Rendezvous– a primitive art and weaponry/history festival. This fun-filled 2-day free event is packed full of reenactors of Native American, Mountain Men, French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War I and II periods.
Hosted by the City of Saltillo at a new location near downtown on Smith Farms, 215 Ashley Road/Hwy 69 Saltillo Tennessee, there will be food and art vendors, music, and reenactor campsites for attendees to enjoy. Times are Friday, April 14 from 8am to 6pm and again on Saturday, April 15 from 8am to 6pm.
Event organizer Mike Fields said “We will have many demonstrations throughout the weekend. Cannon firings, flint lock musket firings, ancestral drums, stories, wood carvings… not to mention the food! Plus, many vendors and craftsman will also be on site. Make plans to come out and enjoy!”
Location:
Smith Family Farm
215 Ashley Road
Saltillo, TN 38370
Contact Host:
Town of Saltillo
Phone: 731-325-7002
Fax: 731-687-3292
Email: Saltillo.gov@cityofsaltillo.org
During this 2-day time lined event everyone can expect to experience what life was like in each of the represented times. Along with period encampments, spectators will be able to see demonstrations, and can participate in many hands-on activities.
Ranging from Native American games, bead work, flint knapping, wood working, pelt tanning, metal forging, axe and knife throwing, period weapons demonstrations, uniform discussions, “Father of Tennessee” John Sevier talks, cooking, soap making, sutlers… just to name a few!
Period activities include:
• Civil war era music from the Lost Cause Band.
• 30-minute Civil War re-enactment on Saturday, April 15 depicting the skirmishes that took place in the area during the war.
• vintage WWII plane flyovers (weather permitting), several WWII reenactors both American and German with vintage military equipment…Jeeps, motorcycles, etc.
• WWI and WWII era Red Cross medical tents
Along with the historical sections of the festival there will be a host of area arts and crafts vendors on site for everyone who loves to shop and see the craftsmanship of these talented artisans. Artwork, knives, cups, candy, wreathes, chain saw carvings, leather, clothes, belts, jewelry, and more.
Food will also be in abundance! Cowboy Chuck wagon cooking, burgers, doughnuts, shaved ice, Tennessee River Pirate Cajun cooking team, BBQ, fried pies, beef jerky, drink truck.
By special appearance, come meet John Thomas Wayne grandson of western movie star “The Duke” John Wayne. Wayne is a renowned western author and speaker. He will have a meet & greet and book signing both days of the event.
If you are a fan of western novels and movies, this is the perfect opportunity to pull on your boots and hat and chat about cowboys and legends.
Friday, April 14 – 8am-6pm
– School days for students. This day will also be open to the public.
– Meet & greet and book signing by John Thomas Wayne, western author & grandson of the “Duke” John Wayne.
Saturday, April 15 – 8am-6pm
9 am – 9:30 – Opening Ceremony honoring local WWII veteran Charles Eason who served in Patton’s 3rd army in France and Germany. During the ceremony the WWII plane is scheduled to fly over.
1 pm – 2 pm – Civil war era music Lost Cause Band
2 pm – 3 pm – Civil war reenactment
Meet & greet and book signing by John Thomas Wayne, western author and grandson of the “The Duke” John Wayne.
8 am – 6 pm – All camps will be open. Demonstrations occurring throughout the day.
Period Competition Shoot will also be happening throughout the day with the exception of during reenactment time.

Hatchie Run Longrifles Spring Rendezvous
2023-04-20 - 2023-04-23 | Ranger Springs Skinners Camp, 289-499 Co Rd 2649, Decatur, TX, 76234, United States
2019 Ranger Springs Skinners Spring Rendezous

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Join us at the 32nd Annual Ranger Springs Skinners Spring Rendezous on April 5-7, 2019 northeast of Decatur, Texas. We will be raffling off a 50 cal. Percussion, beginning with this Spring Rendezvous, and holding the drawing for it at our Fall Rendezvous in November. Enjoy competition events: Rifle, pistol, primitive archery, fire starting, knife and tomahawk throwing. Other events will include: Cooking contest and novelty shoot.
The Ranger Springs Skinners Spring Rendezous closed to the general public – you must be in period dress to attend.
The Ranger Springs Skinners Spring Rendezvous is a pre-1840s event; period clothing is required at all times. If you will contact us, we will do our best to help you! Sunday mornings are open to the public, but we generally start packing up early. So while you can talk to us and see some things on Sunday, don’t expect to come into a historically accurate camp on Sunday. Most of us have long drives to get back to ‘the real world’, so plan to visit before 10:00. We meet near Decatur, Texas.

Please be respectful of your fellow rendezvous-goers. Make every effort to keep all modern items out of sight at all times. This includes plastic bags, non-period food containers and bags. Remember to leave your camp site cleaner than you found it. Following these few guidelines will improve your Ranger Springs Skinners Spring Rendezous experience as well as those who camp around you. No vehicles allowed in camp on Saturday or Sunday until after the closing ceremony on Sunday morning.
Camp Fees:
$10.00 per camp
$5.00 per extra adult or walk-in
Bring your own firewood and water.
Location
Ranger Springs Skinners Camp (approx. 13 miles NE of Decatur)
NOTE: the following address, link & GPS are to a spot on CO RD 2649 after the last turn indicated in driving directions.
289-499 Co Rd 2649, Decatur, TX 76234 (use for Google driving map)
Google Map Link
GPS Coordinates: 33.393487, -97.510520
Directions to Ranger Springs Skinners Spring Rendezous
From Denton 380/35E to CO RD 2649 RSS Camp
Go West on 380 approximately 23.8 miles. Take FM RD 730. Exit to right sharp off ramp. At ‘T’, turn left over RR tracks. Follow FM 730 approximately 12.1 miles. Turn right on CO RD 2648 in 0.2 miles turn left on Co RD 2646. Follow signs at gate.
From Sanger Hwy 455/35E to CO RD 2649 RSS Camp
Go West on Hwy 455 (Chapman RD) approximately 14.5 miles. Turn left on FM 51 S approximately 3.7 miles. Turn right on FM 1204 for 5.5 miles. Continue to CO RD 2646 for 1.1 miles. Turn left on CO RD 2349 and go 3 miles to gate.
US 287 Decatur
TakE ramp to Denton. Turn left (West) on Hwy 380 E. Turn Right on FM RD 730 and follow directions above for Denton 380/35E.
For more informaton: Booshway Mark Reynolds 972-974-4978.

Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Ranger Springs Skinners Spring Rendezous near Decatur, Texas beginning the first Friday in April.
Tags: Ranger Springs Skinners Spring Rendezous, Texas Mountain Man Rendezvous, Texas Rendezvous
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