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French/Indian Reenactments Scheduled |
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Written by Contributor
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Monday, 15 June 2009 08:21 |
Follow America’s Byway - Great Lakes Seaway Trail - to NY History Signature Event -
July 3-5 - More than 2,300 Reenactors Restage History at Old Fort Niagara
Youngstown,
NY - On July 3-5, more than 2,300 colorful historic reenactors clad in
red, white, blue and buckskin will bring the 250th anniversary of the
French and Indian War to life at Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, NY.
The best way to reach the big event that is the 2009 “Signature Event”
of the New York State 250th French and Indian War Anniversary
Commemoration Commission is to follow one of America’s Byways, the
518-mile Great Lakes Seaway Trail that parallels New York and
Pennsylvania’s freshwater shorelines.
The swift waterways and footpaths of power
along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River and Lake Erie
in New York and Pennsylvania helped decide the outcome of the French
& Indian War. A journey along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail offers
an authentic American experience of the landscapes of history,
well-kept military architecture, battlefields and waterfront staging
areas. This byway is also home to two Indian Nations that maintain
their distinct cultural traditions.
Battle reenactments, military and suttler
encampments, and special events take place year-round at Great Lakes
Seaway Trail historic destinations including Old Fort Niagara; Fort
Ontario (Oswego, NY); the Sackets Harbor Battlefield; and the site of
Fort LaPresentation (Ogdensburg, NY). Library and museum archives help
visitors trace their genealogical roots grounded in the byway’s
historic landscape.
On America’s July 4th holiday weekend in
2009, hosts of authentically-costumed 18th century British and French
soldiers and American Indian warriors will recreate historic
encampments and the “Siege of Fort Niagara” of July 1759. The
activities include land battles and drills, ships, historically
authentic games for the children, and an artillery bombardment with
fireworks.
The collection of Old Fort Niagara’s
military architecture includes the oldest building in the Great Lakes
region - the “French Castle.” The fort is a New York State and National
Historic Landmark site that overlooks Lake Ontario, which played a
strategic role in the French and Indian War and the War of 1812.
Military and maritime history and
architecture (the byway also includes a cluster of Frank Lloyd Wright
designed properties) are popular travel themes for the Great Lakes
Seaway Trail byway.
Great Lakes Seaway Trail Executive Director
Teresa Mitchell says, “Leisurely wandering along the byway offers its
own refreshing experience of the freshwater coastline environment that
influenced victory and defeat in the struggles to establish an empire
on the rugged North American continent.”
Learn more about the byway at www.seawaytrail.com or call 315-646-1000.
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Last Updated on Monday, 15 June 2009 16:03 |
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