While most Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, the Museum of Appalachia marks the occasion with an old- fashioned “anvil shoot”. Every 4th of July, the Museum uses gunpowder to launch a 200-pound anvil hundreds of feet into the air!
“When the gunpowder ignites and the anvil soars into the air, the earth will literally shake,” says Museum President, Elaine Meyer. “Even though you know what is about to happen, you can’t help but be in awe of the staggering blast of the anvil.”
Anvil shoots were once a common way for pioneers to commemorate holidays, elections, and other special occasions. While the tradition of anvil-shooting is nearly obsolete, the Museum has made it a nearly 30-year tradition, striving to keep this piece of history alive for a 21st century audience.
Anvil shoots are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
The anvil shoot is the centerpiece of an all-day celebration that includes a national bell-ringing ceremony, flag procession, old time music, picnic fare, demonstrations including blacksmithing, weaving, spinning, cedar rail splitting, sawmilling, dulcimer instruction, beekeeping, sassafras tea brewing, vegetable drying, vintage baseball and more.
The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with special Independence Day activities from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Purchase discounted tickets online now. The event is free for Museum members. For more information about the Independence Day Anvil Shoot or becoming a Museum member, visit www.museumofappalachia.org or call 865-494-7680.
