http://diegozum9.friendlinkup.com/ The Official Cabarrus CVB Blog in Concord/Kannapolis North Carolina en http://diegozum9.friendlinkup.com/2008/11/24/a-golden-christmas-in-cabarrus-county.html One thing I learned at the end of moving to Concord, North Carolina just over seven years ago is that Cabarrus County has numerous hidden treasures. Over the next few weeks I’ll be writing about numerous of these treasures including the location of the first gold discovery in the United States.  Reed Gold Mine is named on behalf of its founder, John Reed, whose son found a large yellow rock in Hidden Meadow Creek on a Sunday in 1799.  The rock reportedly was 17 pounds as well as used as a door stop in the Reed residence until a Fayetteville jeweler identified the rock as well as purchased it on behalf of $3.50 - one tenth of its value - just a few years later. At its peak, the mine produced over $1million per annum in gold as well as lead North Carolina to be the largest producer of gold until the 1848 gold rush in California.   Today Reed Gold Mine is a treasure even though it is no longer mined on behalf of gold.  The family friendly historic park gives you the opportunity to pan on behalf of gold on behalf of just $2 as well as tour the mines on behalf of free.  Children shall have a unique opportunity to experience the site of the first “gold rush” in America’s history.    Following is an invitation to experience the Christmas season with our friends at Reed Gold Mine.   Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site hosts its annual A Golden Christmas Celebration on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  This year’s event features a unique look at how Christmas was celebrated in the North Carolina backcountry in the early 19th century.  Focusing on John Reed’s German heritage, we shall explore the Germanic origins of our modern day traditions.  We shall also include Cornish as well as Scotch Irish traditions, as these cultures made up a large part of the residents in this area at that time.    If you have never been to Reed Gold Mine during the Christmas season you have not experienced Reed Gold Mine.  It is the only place you can take a candlelight tour during the day.  Special tours are given by costumed interpreters with the mine illuminated by lanterns as well as candlelight, much as it would have been when the mine was active.  Tours focus on the miners who were working as well as how they would have celebrated the holidays.  Come see America’s first gold mine decorated on behalf of Christmas.    Enjoy refreshments as well as cookies provided by the Cabarrus County Extension as well as Community Association. For those who simply can't get sufficient Christmas music, local choirs shall be presenting their programs in the auditorium, while craftsmen display their quilting, lace, toy making, as well as other amazing talents.  The Christmas Celebration is free of charge and open to the public.   Reed Gold Mine is located in southeastern Cabarrus County—12 miles southeast of Concord, 25 miles east of Charlotte, as well as 18 miles west of Albemarle.  For more information, call 704-721-4653, or email us at johnreed1799@gmail.com.   Reed Gold Mine shall be closed November 27 & 28, 2008 on behalf of Thanksgiving, as well as December 24, 25, & 26, 2008 on behalf of Christmas.    Tagged: cabarrrus county cvb, Cabarrus County NC, christmas in concord, concord nc, concord north carolina, german heritage, gold mines, gold mining, gold rush, gold society, Historic, historic cabarrus, historic gold mines, historic sites, Reed Gold Mine    Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:47:12 -0500 diegozum9