That French Fort, which later became the British Fort Oswegatchie, was founded in 1749 by Abbe Francoise Picquet. Over the past 250 years the flags of France, England and the US have flown over the location. The Fort saw action in three colonial wars leading to the founding of the United States of America.  The $10,000 that Assemblywoman Russell steered through the state budget process is directed at providing a foundation and landscaping for the Father Picquet monument as well as the purchase of interpretive plaques.

Assemblywoman Russell presented a symbolic check to the Director of the Fort La Presentation project, Barbara J. O’Keefe.

Assemblywoman Russell said, “I am truly pleased to assist Fort La Presentation become yet another focal point for tourism in the City of Ogdensburg. Historical identity in a community has multiple values. It allows the community, especially the young, to know and have pride in their roots and it allows visitors to review a truly historic story.”