Submitted

GOLD HILL —The 27th Annual Gold Hill Founders’ Day will be held Saturday Sept. 24 at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park. The event celebrates the history and culture of the once famous nineteenth century gold mining boom town and is hosted by the Historic Gold Hill and Mines Foundation, Inc. Events begin at 9 a.m. and continue with the Founders’ Day Parade at 10 a.m.

The 11 a.m. Opening Ceremonies at the Amphitheater Stage will include a special presentation by Dr. Kevin Cherry, Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Office of Archives & History. Dr. Cherry will present copies of a rare Gold Hill Mining District Map which was hand drawn by Joseph J. Newman in 1884 for Union Copper and The New Gold Hill Ltd Mining Co of London, England.  The original map was donated to the NC Archives early last year and has undergone a complete restoration by a professional conservator.

The owner of the original map, Mr. Calvin Welch, will also be recognized as donor of the priceless artifact. A Hi-res original size copy of the map will be presented to Mr. Welch and the Historic Gold Hill and Mines Foundation, Inc.  Additional copies will be presented to Reed Gold Mine, State Historic Site and The Rowan Museum in Salisbury. The original story on the donation of the rare map was written by Mark Wineka, and appeared in The Salisbury Post on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015.

Saturday’s events will also include arts, crafts, heritage living exhibits, Civil War living history encampment, gold panning, entertainment, food and more. The 10 a.m. parade line-up begins at the Gold Hill Fire Department. Those entering the parade may call 704-279-7897, or arrive at the Fire Department between 9-9:30 a.m.  Entertainment hosted by Grass Strings Bluegrass Band will begin at the amphitheater stage at 11AM and will continue until 5 p.m. A Bluegrass and Old Time Music Jam will be held at the rear of the Log Barn and will be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Log Barn will also be the site of the Civil War Living History Encampment hosted by the 63rd NC Troops. They will be camped onsite at the log barn for the weekend. The group will demonstrate a Civil War Skirmish on the lawn at the rear of the Log Barn at 5 p.m.

Be sure to have your kids to look for “gold nuggets” on the grounds throughout the park. Nineteenth century gold tycoon Walter George Newman was known to have tossed gold nuggets to kids during his time managing the mines at Gold Hill. In keeping with that tradition; there will be more than a hundred “gold nuggets” to be found. The nuggets can be used to purchase small gifts at the Historic Foundation Booth near the Jail in the park.

The Gold Hill Fire Department will host the Fire House Fire Training in the park near the Russell-Rufty Shelter and will also have a first aid station beside the shelter as well.

Other Saturday events include the History Hayrides to the Gold Hill Pond and Powder House which will be available noon-4 p.m. Ride tickets may be purchased at the Assay Office Museum. The shops in the village will also be open Saturday for shopping.

Gold Hill Mines Historic Park is located in eastern Rowan County at 735 St. Stephens Church Road. For more information: 704-267-9439 or www.historicgoldhill.com or on Facebook at Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina