By Vivian Hopkins
Special to the Salisbury Post
GOLD HILL ó With the arrival of fall comes the opportunity to not only celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Gold Hill, but also to gather as friends, family and neighbors for a common goal, just plain having fun.
Saturday, the Historic Gold Hill Founders Day will celebrate 20 years. From that first Founders Day, the event has grown by leaps and bounds.
It was evident after the first event that a one-time celebration wasn’t going to be enough. In the weeks and months following that first Founders Day, plans were laid for the development of an organization that would become the Historic Gold Hill and Mines Foundation Inc. Today the town that once was the gold mining capitol of North Carolina and the richest goldmining territory east of the Mississippi is nothing more than a small community, but is still making history.
The 70-acre Gold Hill Mines Historic Park is home to the Barnhardt and Randolph gld mines, known to be the richest and most famous mines from the 19th century gold mining era in the east.
This year’s Founders Day events committee has strived to bring new and interesting exhibits to the event. Along with the usual arts and crafts, there will be displays and demonstrations depicting life from a bygone era inside the Russell-Rufty Memorial Shelter.
A site “Just for Kids” will keep youngsters busy and having fun. The Heritage Living exhibit area at the Mining Office site will include blacksmiths, wood carvers, frontier living exhibits, soap-making and more.
The 63rd North Carolina Troops and The Rowan Rifles will offer a living history encampment on the grounds of the log barn and will also host a “Civil War skirmish” at 2 p.m.
The Parks Committee has been working to restore the Chilean Ore Mill, which is located by the Miller Shaft in the park. They plan to have the ancient ore mill in operation by Founders Day and will demonstrate the equipment at specified times during the day. The ore mill is thought to be the only original complete mill left from the 19th century gold mining era in North Carolina.
A T-shirt is being designed for the 20th annual event. The shirts and other memorabilia will be on sale at the foundation booth near the jail.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. in Gold Hill Mines Historic Park on St. Stephens Church Road. The Founders Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. and entertainment will follow at 11 a.m.
The event will end with a dance at the amphitheater. The Horizon Band will provide music for the dance from 7-10 p.m.
Bring your little ones dressed in period costume and enter them in the Little Miss and Mr. Gold Hill Contest. Kids 10 and under are eligible to enter for prizes in two age categories; 0-5 year olds and 6-10 year olds.
First and second prizes will be awarded in each age division. The contest will be held following the parade on the amphitheater stage in the park. A gold dollar will be presented to each contestant, and winners in each division will be awarded a free photo from Stacie Jade’s Photography. Photos will be made during Founders Day at the E.H. Montgomery General Store in the Village of Gold Hill. The old time photos of the winners will be printed on site for them to take home.
For others interested in having an authentic 1800s photo to take home, Stacie Jade’s Photography will be offering the opportunity from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Costumes will be available for individuals, couples and group photos in an old West saloon setting at the Montgomery Store.
The event is hosted by the Historic Gold Hill and Mines Foundation Inc.
For more info call, 704-267-9439. Parade entries may call 704-279-7897. Information is also available at www.HistoricGoldHill.com.
Founders’ Day schedule
– 11 a.m.óopening ceremony at amphitheater;
– 11:15 a.m.ó Little Miss and Mr. Gold Hill Contest;
– 11:45 a.m.óRichard Jones, Native American flute;
– 12:15 p.m.óMike and Gaynelle Lambert;
– 1 p.m.óCrescent Cloggers;
– 1:30 p.m.ó cake walks;
– 1:45 p.m.ó Friends in Bluegrass
– 2 p.m.óCivil War skirmish at The Log Barn;
– 2:30 p.m.óStepping Out Dance Studio;
– 3 p.m.ó Damhsa Gasra Celtic dance troupe;
– 3:15 p.m. cake walks;
– 7 p.m.-Horizon