Historic Rugby Celebrates Founder’s Day October 4
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Historic Rugby Celebrates Founder’s Day October 4
Rugby – On Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, the Victorian village of Historic Rugby will celebrate its annual Founder’s Day Festival, honoring village founder and famed British author Thomas Hughes (1822–1896).
This free, family-friendly event will feature artisans and crafters on the Visitor Centre lawn, food trucks offering a variety of treats, performances by the Rugby Cornet Band and the choir of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church from Signal Mountain, GA, and an awards ceremony recognizing a modern-day individual who has played a vital role in preserving Rugby’s legacy for future generations.
The celebration also includes a beloved Rugby tradition: Christ Church Episcopal’s annual Michaelmas Tea at the Friendly House (located just behind the church). Two seatings are offered at 12 pm ET and 2 pm ET. Tickets are $20 per person, with advance reservations strongly recommended. To reserve your spot, call Bethany Jackson at 423-628-6250 or email her at her at [email protected].
“Founder’s Day gives us a chance to thank Thomas Hughes, who first envisioned this unique settlement 145 years ago,” said Rugby historian George Zepp, a descendant of some of Rugby’s original colonists. “It’s also our opportunity to honor those who’ve worked so hard in more recent years to preserve Rugby as the historic treasure it is today.”
Schedule Of Founder’s Day Events
(Please note Rugby is on Eastern time!)
10am-5pm: Artisans & Crafters on the Visitor Centre lawn
10am-5pm: Food Trucks offering a variety of treats
11am and 1pm: Performances by the Rugby Cornet Band at the new Harrow Road Public House
12pm and 2pm: Michaelmas Tea at the Friendly House (advance reservations recommended)
3:30pm: Awards Ceremony at inside Christ Church Episcopal, followed by a special performance from the choir of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
Visitors are encouraged to make a day, or even a weekend, of it. Overnight lodging is available in Historic Rugby’s historic cottages and can be reserved at www.historicrugby.org under the “Lodging” tab.
Bring the whole family and experience a day filled with history, music, food, and community spirit in one of Tennessee’s most charming and unique historic villages.
Rugby was founded in 1880 as a British colony. It’s adjacent to the Big South Fork National Recreation Area and is a 2.5 hour drive from Nashville and a little over an hour’s drive from Knoxville.