The second battle of Kings Mountain

From Gaston Gazette: The second battle of Kings Mountain In Cleveland County, livermush is a staple, barbecue is nearly sacred and the region has a distinctive history marked by several key Revolutionary War battles fought in the area. Advocates in North and South Carolina are fighting to have a region made up of 58 counties recognized as a national heritage area, specifically focusing on the contributions made by the Carolinas during the American Revolution. The national heritage designation is a way to celebrate, protect and preserve what makes a region unique and can be used as a tool for tourism. Examples of places with a national heritage designation include the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area and Iowa’s Silo and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. A recent National Park Service study was completed, and the counties were told they did not meet the necessary criteria for the designation. In the published results, one reason cited was that there is a lack of distinctive cultural traditions in North and South Carolina from the 18th century that have carried over into today’s everyday life. These distinctive characteristics must be readily apparent to an outside observer. The results sparked so much opposition from Cleveland County residents and local lawmakers that additional time was given for the public to add comments before it will again be reviewed. The time for comments will be closed on Sunday. In one of the final steps toward achieving the designation, the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior will make a recommendation for or against the designation, and the U.S. Congress will make the final decision. Local historian outraged Marti Mongiello, who operates the Inn of the Patriots in Grover with his wife, Stormy, didn’t grow up in the South, but he is passionate about preserving the region’s unique history and culture. When the opportunity arose to be a part of a process to designate Cleveland County and other Southern counties as a national heritage area, he jumped at the chance. Mongiello is outraged by the study’s conclusion. He said in 2008, when the study was already underway, he was appointed as a delegate for Cleveland County to represent the Chamber of Commerce. “At that time, Cleveland County was not on the initial mapping to be recognized,” Mongiello said. “We actually proved several things about Cleveland County that it should have included.” Mongiello said Cleveland County has led the fight for the designation for both Carolinas. “We have been the most active and have sent the most interesting letters,” he said. Over the course of the study, which took several years, a committee was formed that was representative of the Carolinas. Mongiello said the region being studied passed six of the 10 criteria and failed four. “Criteria two talks about something that is evident to an outsider,” he said. “What they’re trying to say is a person from San Francisco can’t figure out they’re in North Carolina.” Mongiello said he has lived all over the world and has never seen such a concentration of Highland games as what he has seen in the Carolinas. Highland games provide Scottish culture in the forms of athletics, music, dance and demonstrations. “Fried pickles, the barbecue, the livermush. We’re just getting started,” he said. “Brunswick stew, hushpuppies, all from the 1700s, that’s still alive today.” He said Southern streets, towns and even counties have been named after Revolutionary War heroes. Taking the fight to Congress After Feb. 19 when the comments are closed, all the information, comments and materials will be reviewed, and the secretary of the Interior Department will make a recommendation to Congress. Mongiello said he is expecting a negative recommendation, but he doesn’t plan to give up on the designation. “That will be the end, and then we’ll have to take our fight to Congress,” he said. “We’ll take the battle directly to congressmen.” Michael Chrisawn, president of the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce, urged people to read the study and take time to comment, either online or by mail. “What are mainly needed are comments that would support criterion two: That customs, traditions and influences of the Revolutionary War period can still be found in everyday life in the Carolinas,” Chrisawn wrote in a chamber newsletter. “The other areas that were found to be deficient have been addressed by others in the region. Your input is invaluable, and I urge you to respond as soon as possible.” Chrisawn said that if the area was recognized as a Southern campaign of the Revolutionary War heritage area, it would be another avenue to increase travel and tourism. “Heritage tourism is a big thing with the tourist today,” he said. “They’re going back and looking for their roots, so to speak. People get excited about the Revolutionary War, so they go to these heritage areas where battles took place and see what it was like in the area. It would just be a very, very positive thing for us.” With Cleveland County’s close proximity to the Kings Mountain National Military Park in Blacksburg, S.C., site of the Battle of Kings Mountain in October 1780, Chrisawn said the designation would draw more interest to the area. It could also bring in some additional funding. “It funnels in some federal funds to highlight historical areas,” Chrisawn said. “I’m sure the Kings Mountain battleground would be in line for some additional funding.” Mongiello also worries the results of the study could have a negative impact on the region. He said if the designation is denied, the results of the study would be made final and would be quoted “over the next 100 years.” “It could affect developers and corporations,” he said.