Man and Woman sifting through dirt in Little Meadow Creek

Reed Gold Mine Carolina Gold Rush Day

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Gold mining at Reed Gold Mine was in its heyday in the 1850s -- before the California gold rush -- when for gold mining North Carolina was the place to be. In 1799, young Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound gold nugget while fishing in Little Meadow Creek, giving rise to America’s first gold rush. Historic interpreters at Reed Gold Mine will recall that time Saturday, March 19.

Reed will highlight the 1850s-mining era with living history demonstrations of surface and underground mining, hands-on mining activities and other demonstrations. Costumed interpreters will show cradle and log rockers used to sort through dirt and find large nuggets on the surface. Others will show how blasting holes were drilled and gold bearing quartz rock was removed from the mine. The California-type 10-stamp mill will show how rock was mixed with mercury to extract gold.

Admission for adults is $5.00, tax included; and $4.00 tax included for ages 3 to 12; aged two and younger are free.