The Bicentennial Muster ’76 (part 4)

Get a large group of kids together and one of the things that will absolutely fascinate them is something that flies.  Council Jamborees at the Warner parks in the 1980s often had a helicopter visit and Scouts lined up to see it.

The Bicentennial Muster utilized flying objects as well. In addition to the helicopter rides over the Reservation that allowed for some of the photos we’ll see in upcoming posts, there was also a fly-over by a military squadron of choppers as well as at least two hot air balloons that landed by the Crab.

Hot Air balloon floating above the water tower, April 1976. Photo L16. Collection of Russ Parham.

Military helicopter fly-over, Explorer Island, April 1976. Collection of Michael Seay.

Two hot air balloons at the Bicentennial Muster, April 1976. Photo C30. Collection of Russ Parham

The Bicentennial Muster ’76 (Part 3)

There were a host of activities for Scouts at the Muster. The _Nashville Banner_ reported after the event that “scouts fired muskets, shot flaming arrows, ran obstacle courses, and joined in a variety of other events, including log-rolling and kayak races. Standard scouting events were not overlooked, however, as hundreds of scouts participated in firebuilding, pathfinding and other activities to earn badges.”

To showcase some of these events—and to capitalize on how successful the event had been—the Council published an eight page booklet.  The booklet was filled photos—all black and white and coded—capturing the events of the weekend.  Color prints could be ordered from the Council office of your favorite photos: 70 cents for a 3 ½” x 5’, $3.50 for an 8”x10”, or $5.88 for a Bicentennial Muster Slide Set of 10 slides.

Seen here are pages four and five of the “Muster Paper.”  There are variety of Scout activities here as well as historical re-enactments from the Revolution and the Civil War as well as evidence of the costume competition.

Pages 4 & 5 from the Council’s Muster paper. Collection of Russ Parham.

The Bicentennial Muster ’76 (part 2)

Scouts who attended the Muster of course received a patch, just like the do for virtually all camporees and jamborees today.  They received an oval patch with USA in the center and “Middle Tennessee Bicentennial Muster” around the edges.  Scouts also received a special Muster neckerchief. You were only allowed to wear it if you attended the event.

Scouts were also able to earn a special thirteen-point badge as well through the completion of different events at the competition.

To see the patches and the neckerchief, visit https://www.mtcpatches.com/1976-bicentennial-muster.html .  The patches seen here are from the same website, curated by patch master Boyd Williams.

1976 Bicentennial Muster Patches. Collection of Boyd Wlliams, mtcpatches.com

The Bicentennial Muster ’76 (Part 1)

In _Boys Will Be Men_, Council President Jimmy Stevens described 1976 as “a transition year—a new scout executive, a new district and council organization, and moving into our new Jet Potter Center” (pg. 192). He could have added new Reservation Director as well as Tom Willhite stepped into that role in 1976.  But the bigger point here is coming off of the Akers Crisis that had consumed the second half of 1975, coupled with the passing of long-term Scouter and former President Charles E. Parish, the council needed a win, a big win.

Enter the 1976 Bicentennial Muster, a council wide jamboree at Boxwell Reservation celebrating the Bicentennial of the United States in 1976.  The event was the child of scoutmaster William Gray and Area I Director George “Buddy” Chatterfield.  The event began on Friday evening, April 2 and ran through Sunday, April 4.  There were fishing contests, musket ball making and musket firing, pioneer costume contests and more.  There was even an enormous fireworks display—open to the public for a small fee.

8,000 Boy Scouts, Explorers, Cubs and leaders attended.  In total, it was estimated that with spectators, the event ran 20,000 people.  It was the win the Council needed to show Scouting was alive and well.  Indeed, it was SO big the council even hosted a separate “thank you” dinner for leaders and planners of the event on May 14 at Camp Craig!

Over the course of this month, we’ll be looking at Muster in great detail.  This week, two photos from Muster taken by Michael Seay: Patriots and Red Coats firing their muskets.  Just two of the several patriotic demonstrations that occurred over the weekend.

Colonial Patriot re-enactors at the Muster, April 1976. Collection of Michael Seay.

Red Coats re-enactors at the Muster, April 1976. Collection of Michael Seay.