Step back in time to the bustling 1850s with Reed Gold Mine’s new immersive living history event, "Boomtown Bash: Life at a Carolina Gold Mine." Focused on the heyday of North Carolina’s gold mining history, this event offers a captivating look into the lives of the miners, immigrants, and women who sought adventure and riches.
As you walk across the site, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of an authentic 1850s gold mining community. Experience the era through different demonstrations, including period mining techniques, historic cooking, woodworking, and so much more. Our Stamp Mill, which was used to crush quartz into sand to extract any gold trapped in the mineral, will also be open and running periodically throughout the day.
The outdoor Panning Area also be open for the event (weather permitting)! After learning about gold mining in the 19th century, try your hand at panning in our troughs and see if you have what it takes to strike it rich yourself. Panning tickets are $3.00 each, plus tax, for anyone ages 8 and older. Tickets are sold for set session times on a first come, first served basis in our Visitor Center.
Visitors of all ages will enjoy an unforgettable experience at “Boomtown Bash” by being transported back in time to the 1850s and reliving the spirit of adventure and pursuit of wealth that defined North Carolina’s Piedmont region until the dawn of the Civil War. Don’t miss your chance to learn more about America’s first Golden State and discover the forgotten history of North Carolina’s gold mining heritage.
“Boomtown Bash” will be held from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 2nd.
Event admission is $5.00 for anyone aged 5 and up, payable on the event day. We accept cash and cards, excluding American Express. Children under 5 are free. Registration is not accepted.