Kings Mountain National Military Park

We decided to go up towards Charlotte for a weekend and on the way up there we decided to stop at Kings Mountain National Military Park.  It was the site of a battle in 1780 between Col Ferguson's British forces and the Patriot forces.  It was the first major patriot victory to occur during the Revolutionary war in the southern states and caused a major turning point in the war.  They have a museum there and a trail that loops around the battle site with memorials built to the people who died there in the battle.

It was a very interesting and educational stop that I am glad we made.  We also decided to go when we did because they were having a special children's colonial days event, with activities set up for the kids to participate in.  Alden had a lot of fun making a musket cartridge out of paper, black sand and a marble, making a toy out of a stick and rope and making a hat out of paper.  We had fun hanging out at the booths for awhile before walking the loop trail around the battle site and then letting Alden complete his Junior Ranger badge.  We had a fun day as a family.

We had fun walking through the museum at the Visitor's Center and looking at the guns and weapons on display there.

Alden loved going through the museum while pointing out the rifles, pistols and swords.

They had some displays of what a house would have looked like in the late 1700s that Alden found interesting.  Then he had to try to lift the wheelbarrow.  

Drew also had fun looking at the old weapons in the display, but we also enjoyed reading the history of the battle site.

I really liked this display that had lights that showed the loyalist and patriot forces and where they were.  It was a cool visualization of the battle.

Alden and Anders had fun exploring together.

Alden sat down to work on part of his Junior Ranger booklet in the museum.  He had to draw a few things he saw there, so he wanted to draw a rifle, pistol and sword.

Then we set off to walk a little outside and find the children's activities.

Anders was so happy to be walking some on his own!

Alden was so excited to make a musket cartridge, even if he needed a little help.

This is him dumping the black sand in on top of his black marble.

Alden was so excited to show Dad his musket cartridge.

Then Alden got to go make his hat...which he refused to wear.

Alden was very excited to have them help him make a toy like what they had in colonial days.

It was just a loop of rope tied on a string and attached to the end of a stick.  You had to try and get the loop of rope on the end of the stick by tossing up the rope.

Alden had a lot of fun playing with his new toy!

Then we started walking the path around the battle site.  The whole path was paved so that Anders could ride in the stroller which was nice because it was very hot.

There were not many people on the trail so it was very peaceful and nice.

Alden really liked stopping and having Dad read the signs to him.

This was one of the two bigger monuments along the trail.

This was the other monument that was very impressive.

This was a memorial stone for Major Ferguson who was killed in this battle as he led the Loyalist forces.

We really enjoyed walking the trail and learning a little more about what happened there as we did.  

Anders enjoyed his stroller ride, but we were all hot and ready to get out of the heat by the time we were done with the 1.5 mile path.  We had a really fun and educational morning!  This was a great stop for everyone and I am glad that we stopped at Kings Mountain National Military Park.