The autumn beauty of Stones River National Battlefield will be the backdrop for October’s annual Arts in the Park month of events. Art exhibits, musical performances and historical demonstrations will all be presented for visitors to enjoy throughout the month of October.

Arts in the Park kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 5, with special exhibits in the park’s Visitor Center featuring artwork created by past and current battlefield artists in residence. The art exhibit will remain on display through Oct. 31.

Musical programs will also kick off on Oct. 5 with a 1 p.m. concert on the patio behind the Visitor Center. Entitled “Music On and Off the Battlefield,” the program will feature Wilson Sharpe and local musicians and singers telling the story of the Civil War from the home front. Learn how music helped shape the conflict and etched the Civil War in our memory.

The songs and stories of the Civil War will continue with a presentation by the award winning 52nd Regimental String Band on Saturday, Oct. 19. Based out of Memphis, the group will don period costumes, play on period-style instruments, and will perform a variety of 19th-century songs. Shows will be at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Home Sweet Home Band will take the stage the following day, Sunday, Oct. 20, with its “Celebration of Historical Music” at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The band has been annually featured at Stones River Battlefield. Band members Rob Pearcy and Tyler Andal will also be performing at the Grand Ole Opry in October. Pearcy is a state and national award-winning instrumentalist; Andal is a five-time Grand Masters Old Time Fiddle Champion. Special guest Lisa Law—a highly acclaimed Middle Tennessee vocalist whose band, the Jake Leg Stompers, received the 2023 Heritage Award winner at the Uncle Dave Macon Roots Rendezvous—will join the Home Sweet Home Band, rounded out by Elaine Winters, Avent Lane and Amanda Shields.

“Art has been a part of the history of the National Park Service since the 1870s. The painters who captured majestic Western landscapes brought visitors to the locations of these natural wonders. The policymakers in Washington took note of the beauty of these areas and eventually created the National Parks,” said John McKay, Park Ranger at Stones River National Battlefield. McKay invites the public to come out to the battlefield in the month of October to “get a good eye and earful of music and art!”

Additionally, artillery demonstrations will be featured the weekend of Oct. 19–20. Programs will feature six cannons and will be held at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, and at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20.

All concerts will be held on the patio behind the Visitor Center. Limited seating will be provided, but feel free to bring lawn chairs.

The Stones River National Battlefield is located at 3501 Old Nashville Hwy., Murfreesboro. Admission to the battlefield, and Arts in the Park programming, is free.

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Photo, top, courtesy of Buddy Secor / Stones River National Battlefield