Important: Buttonwillow Civil War Theater is no longer operating as a regular Pigeon Forge attraction, and Granddaddy’s Watch is not currently offered as a daily show at 2135 Parkway. The former address is now used by Mountain of Entertainment Theater for different productions.
Yesterday is history, but how can we learn from the past if we simply shelve what happened? History is a mirror to learn, experience, and invent paths that forge human stories. The world evolves on the inventions created, probably long before you were born.
Every part of that history is essential to understanding where the world has come from and is heading. All the bad and the ugly too have a role in developing the world and its people.
One of the most consequential moments in American history is the 1861–1865 American Civil War between the United States and the Confederate states that seceded. Slavery, secession, and disputes over federal authority and states’ rights were at the center of the conflict.
The production explored the past of American history and Southern secession, leading to clashes that claimed more than 620,000 soldiers’ lives in its wake. The play borrowed from a foundation of Christian values and ethos that promotes patriotism and shows that people can harmoniously live together despite differences.
About the Show and the Civil War Theater
- Former duration: 90 minutes.
- Rating: All ages
- Status: No regular Pigeon Forge performances currently listed
Historian and actor Steve Gipson wrote and directed the play. He did a great deal of research to capture the facts of the Civil War’s history. School history lessons can be biased toward the Union point of view, but the play tried to get both perspectives. Why did the Southerners fight? Why were they hurt by the idea of the states uniting?
The Granddaddy’s Watch play followed the lives of two siblings, one a Confederate sympathizer protecting her family against the Unionists, who have her brother as a member. They exchange electrifying banter the southern way, making comical views on what they think is wrong with the beliefs of the north.
Some critics labeled the play politically incorrect, but the director said he tried as much as possible to bring modern America to the past horrors of its Civil War past. Only when the past is understood can people avoid repeating past mistakes. The show was an effort to bring to light what happened during the war.
The show featured Steve Gipson as the lead actor, representing a Union member with strict beliefs that the Confederates are wrong. Her kin, played by Jodi Moore, is an East Tennessee farmer who will do whatever it takes to protect her children against the Unionists. She is relentless and stern, and her comical jabs will leave you on the floor giggling at the uncomfortable reaction of her kin.
The show had been in production for more than 30 years, starting as a traveling theater until moving to the Civil War Theater in Pigeon Forge in 2019. Before having a physical location in the Smoky Mountains, the show was staged all over the U.S. territory, educating thousands of patrons on the catastrophic events of the Civil War.
Steve Gipson had acted with his wife until Jodi Moore took her place. The show featured an actual cannon used in the Civil War as a prop, which patrons could take pictures with after the show. Visitors could also take photos with the cast in the meet and greet session after the show. The original theater also sold DVDs, books, and souvenirs from the show. The gift shop in the theater had Civil War-era jewelry, flags, swords, etc.
Is the Civil War Theater in Pigeon Forge a Dinner Show?
The show was primarily a play staging with no active dinner service. Initially, when it started in 2019, the Civil War Theater was a dinner show. The dinner service was canceled shortly after, more so after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. In its place, a concession joint at the theater offered delicacies for visitors to chew on as they enjoyed the Civil War reincarnation happening on stage at the Buttonwillow Civil War Theater.
When the show was operating, the food stand had the following food options:
- Oatmeal Cookies
- General Beauregard’s Suckers
- Jeb Stuart Rock Candy
- “God Save The South” Southern Fudge
- Colonel Pemberton’s Cola
- Natchez Root Beer
- Stonewall Jackson’s Lemonade
- Missy Pemberton’s Diet Coke
How to Get To the Buttonwillow Civil War Theater Show
- Former address: 2135 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, United States
The Buttonwillow Civil War Theater was located centrally on the main 2135 Parkway road. The address is now associated with another Pigeon Forge theater, so check current venue listings before making plans. There was free parking in front of the theater, so visitors could come in their car and find safe parking while they enjoyed the show inside the theater. Other options were getting a taxi using conventional cabs or hailing one online through Lyft or Uber. The theater was easily recognizable from the street with its big, bold blue and white signage.
When Was the Buttonwillow Civil War Theater Open?
Granddaddy’s Watch is not currently staged at the Buttonwillow Civil War Theater in Pigeon Forge daily, all year round. When the show was operating, the two-hour experience opened with a monologue by Steve Gipson, followed by the 90-minute play of the Southern clashes.
Past listings advertised daily theater hours, but current visitors should not rely on those hours or past daily-performance claims when planning a trip. The show previously earned strong visitor reviews and was promoted as an educational attraction for children and grownups, but it is no longer an active Pigeon Forge booking option.
Show Tickets
Tickets to the Buttonwillow Civil War Show are no longer available for regular Pigeon Forge performances. The former online booking and physical box office details should not be treated as current.
When active, the theater sold adult and child tickets, offered free admission for children below age 6, and advertised seniors, military, and group discounts. It also promoted specialized performances for school trips, company retreats, and other parties.
The show was designed to be very relatable to school-going children (grades four and above) to compensate for their untold history lessons. Concessions were available too at these private performances.
Is the Show for You?
Because the Pigeon Forge theater is no longer operating, the practical answer for most travelers is no—this is not currently a bookable Pigeon Forge show. If you come across a future listing, confirm the date, venue, and ticket source before buying.
Wholesomely, the show was fit for general viewing. And the Civil War has affected American history in a way that everyone should know. But would you have related to and enjoyed it while watching it, which is the ultimate goal of attending shows? Well, be the judge of that. To help you understand where the show fit, here is an explanation of where the shoe fits.
Even though it happened more than a century ago, the Civil War affected the country’s history. It’s not enough to mention it on the go, but Americans should learn from it. And what better way of reminiscing the past than by watching it with your own eyes? Keep the history alive and the lessons at heart. If you relate to the conservation of American morals, then the show would have been a hit for you.
The show was also a fantastic avenue for educational value, especially for school-going children and teens. The show was relatable to grade four school-taught history lessons, so any child from 10 years old would relate to being in school. It brought a fresh perspective to the whole narrative, citing what agitated the interstate war. It could be a perfect opportunity to open your kid’s mind to a broader perspective.
The Civil War show could come off as a little irritating or uncomfortable for some viewers. You see, the play was a display of what was happening during the Civil War. The southerners had different ideas about preserving their state, and these conflicting ideologies clashed. So, political correctness had to be shelved to have a raw reincarnation of the historical Civil War events. Plus, this is art, and it doesn’t have to be straight to communicate.
Here are some reviews, positive and negative, from actual show attendees as posted online:
Review from Tripadvisor
“Saw this show recently and was blown away by the quality and in-depth look at our history. It was not racist or politically motivated. Just a true, factual look at our history from all sides and perspectives. I recommend it to anyone from all walks of life to experience the whole truth and not just selective history. Bravo!”
“Interesting, but you are made to feel like if you don’t agree with the agenda, you might just get called out or made to leave. We did feel like we were learning a new way to see the civil war, but we were very uncomfortable with the teacher.”
Google Review
“Excellent!! We took my dad for his 78th birthday and our 2-year-old son. We all enjoyed it. Being history buffs, we were amazed at how many specifics from this period of history we had never heard. We thought it was wonderful to hear and thought it was a breath of fresh air to hear history presented as it happened versus the Hollywood version.”
“It was not what we were expecting. They were very political and strong in their opinions. The “acting” was below par, and there were only two of them for the entire two and a half hours without intermission. The sets did not change, they had one set the entire time, and it was hard to follow along with their “storyline” and “humor”. The facts were fun to learn, but it felt more like a college class than a show.”
Check this video for more information about the former production:
Civil War Theater Pigeon Forge: FAQs
Is the Civil War Theater at Pigeon Forge Still Open?
No. Buttonwillow Civil War Theater is no longer operating as a regular Pigeon Forge attraction, and Granddaddy’s Watch is not currently listed as a daily show at the former 2135 Parkway venue.
Did Fighting Occur in Gatlinburg During the Civil War?
No major Civil War battle took place in Gatlinburg, though there were guerrilla fights and clashes between Confederate sympathizers and Unionists. These minor wars took place in the Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee.
How Was the Civil War Theater at Pigeon Forge Rated?
Before it closed, the Buttonwillow Civil War Theater/Show drew mixed-to-positive online reviews. Its traction came mainly from the attendees of the show, which showed both praise and criticism. The show was educational and entertaining, a combination that is rare in showbiz.
Conclusion
American history and the 1861–1865 Civil War cannot be told apart. The war defined what the country stands for until now, upholding policies for inclusion and divergence. Buttonwillow Civil War Theater once offered a Pigeon Forge stage presentation of that history from a Southern perspective, but it is no longer a current Smoky Mountains attraction.
The show was fit for everyone, with more history than what’s on the school syllabus. Because tickets are no longer available for regular Pigeon Forge performances, look for current Smoky Mountains theater schedules if you want an active show during your trip.