The Allegheny Foothills Historical Society announces a general informational public meeting, Saturday March 22nd from 1 -3 with a walking tour of the event site to follow. The meeting will be held at Plum Borough Council Chambers located at 4575 New Texas Road.
This meeting is designed for anyone interested in learning about or becoming involved in the event. There will be a presentation given by the Project Coordinator on all aspects of the project.
The event is entitled Washington’s Encampment. In late November, the year 1758, a large army under the command of General John Forbes marched across the frontier wilderness to displace the French at the Forks of the Ohio where Fort DuQuesne stood. It was during the French and Indian War that this strategic point of land was cherished by both colonial powers of France and England for geographic and economic reasons.
In commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of this event, the Allegheny Foothills Historical Society and the Allegheny County Department of Parks invite you to relive this history of General John Forbes, Colonel George Washington, Henry Bouquet and others. While located in a wooded area of Boyce Park we plan to take the visiting public away from the present world into the past. This living history encampment’s goal is to be family oriented, educative and interpretive.
Our goal is to provide the community a first hand look at the kind of people that shaped the historical events of the fall of 1758 in Western Pennsylvania. We hope to accomplish this with the support of the hundreds of re-enactors, interpreters, sutlers, educators, historians of the French & Indian War period. It will take place in 400 acres of the woodland’s setting of Boyce Park. We are planning a rich historical program to include some of the premier speakers including, already committed, Dr. David Dixon from Slippery Rock University, Doug MacGregor educator from Ft Pitt Museum, Paul Stillman will portray Benjamin Franklin, Baden Powell and Nasty Ned, The Frontiersman. We have invited many more to speak over the 2 day event, October 4 & 5. We will be involving many community groups in the event. We will have nearly 400 Boyscouts participating in their Fall Camporee in the Park. We plan to provide firewood, straw, ice, water and a special Saturday evening meal for overnight campers and participants. We hope for all who participate and visit to enjoy the experience!
We will have plenty of entertainment. We have both English and Scottish Country Dancers of the 18th century as well as an 18th century Circus! We will have opportunities for community involvement. Non-Profit groups can have space in our modern area for FREE! They can rent tents, tables and chairs for minimal amounts. There are fundraising opportunities for community groups as well. Community businesses will be encouraged to rent the same for economical prices. We will be accepting applications for food vendors. We are looking for value, quality and variety. We ask that if you are interested in attending you RSVP by calling 724-325-1526 or email t.whanger@comcast.net with your name, organization (if any) and a phone number.