Martin's Station Events

Refuge in the Wilderness

"Refuge in the Wilderness" by David Wright

Martin's Station provided the western-most point of refuge for settlers heading along the Wilderness Road into the new frontier, and the Kentucky Blue Grass. Joseph Martin established the first fort in March 1769 near present day Rose Hill, VA, but was forced to abandon the effort due to attacks by Native American forces. He returned in January 1775 to establish a stockade fort which later that year served as a launching point for Daniel Boone's expedition through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky. The path Boone blazed became the 'Wilderness Road' and by 1800 had seen more than 300,000 settlers move along it's route. Friends of the Wilderness Road State Park.

Martin's Station at Wilderness Road State Park

Martin's Station at the Wilderness Road State Park

Present day reconstructed Martin's Station, located at the Wilderness Road State Park, hosts regular events throught the year depicting frontier life in mid eighteenth-century America.

Raid on Martin's Station, VA

Hostile Indians plotting a raid on Martin's Station

Native Americans became hostile to the first settlers when their hunting grouds became threatened, and after the French and British fought for control of the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. The Shawnee, or Shawonee, Cherokee, and Mingo tribes shared hunting grounds in present day Kentucky and Tennessee.

Martin's Station - America's First Frontier

Inside The Fort at 'America's First Frontier' event.

Settlers, and friendly Indians alike found refuge inside the many Stations that were built along the primary travel routes. Stations were check-points built between primary forts along the heavily traveled roads, and served as gathering points, and places of safety during Indian uprisings.

Captain Ebenezer Titus and Robin

Captn. Ebenezer Titus and Robin following 'America's First Frontier' event.

Mr. Herman Stainbrook portrays Captain Ebenezer Titus, and is one of the many reasons we love Martin's Station. Captain Titus takes you back in time to experience the actual settings and challenges facing a local militia unit on the far reaches of the Early American Frontier. Learn more about Captain Titus, and the other dedicated Martin's Station interpretive staff, in Muzzleloader Magazine's September/October 2004 Issue article, "Reconstructed Martin's Station", by William F. Brown III.

Jack and Robin at Martin's Station

Volunteering for 18th Century historical events and preservation is our primary interest. We can enjoy camping, as rustic as we like, we get to associate with some of the best people on earth, and we get to use the many things we enjoy making. Robin gets to spin wool, dye fabric, knit, and sew, while I get to be militia using my leatherworks and weapons. The really exciting part of 18th Century living history is we also get to swap roles. Robin gets to play militia as the ladyfolk help drive off the invading Indians, and I get to work on my crafts, woodworking on the shavehorse, powderhorn creation, leatherworking, and dressing hides.

Ladies Planning the day at Martin's Station

Ladies planning the day at Martin's Station

Martin's Station Ladies Spinning Wool

Ladies spinning during 'America's First Frontier' event.

Robin at Martin's Station

Robin resting during 'America's First Frontier' event. Photo courtesy 'Tinker Creek Images'.

Jack at Martin's Station

Jack taking a break at 'America's First Frontier' event. Photo courtesy 'Tinker Creek Images'.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is located in Kentucky on the Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee borders about seven miles west of the Wilderness Road State Park & Martin's Station. (Park Map) It provides some of the most scenic views in the area, and the nearby Wilderness Road Campground provides absolutely beautiful campsites with first-class facilities. The nearest town is Historic Cumberland Gap, TN, just over the border from CGNHP. The closest City is Middleboro, KY which borders the Park. Also refer to the Bell County "Gateway to the West"

The Cumberland Gap, Tennessee

This natural path through the Appalachian Mountains was named the Cumberland Gap by the earliest know explorer, Dr. Thomas Walker, who first followed the original animal trail in 1750. The Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site is located near Barbourville, KY, approximately 30 miles northwest of Middlesboro along Highway 25E.