French and Indian War history lesson

May 17, 2007|by TIFFANY ARNOLD

BIG POOL - The French and Indian War will be revisited at Fort Frederick State Park this weekend.

The park is hosting a French and Indian War muster on Saturday and Sunday. Demonstrators will portray French and British soldiers, as well as civilian settlers and American Indians, park historian Steve Robertson said.

The event, a somewhat annual tradition for about three decades, typically draws 100 participants and between 1,000 to 2,000 spectators, Robertson said.

A quick history lesson: Fort Frederick exists because of the French and Indian War (1754-63), a turf war between the French and British - with American Indians picking sides. In 1756, the state built the stone fort to protect British settlers in the "western frontier" (now Western Maryland) from French- and Indian-led raids, Robertson said.

Here's the schedule of events:

Saturday

10 a.m. - French and British camps open

11 a.m. - Artillery demonstration in front of the fort

11:30 a.m. - French and American Indian clothing and military equipment demonstrations at the French camp

1 p.m. - British and Colonial clothing and military equipment demonstrations inside the fort

2:30 p.m. - Tactical demonstration on the east side the fort

3:30 p.m. - Artillery demonstration in front of the fort

Sunday

10 a.m. - French and British camps open

11:30 a.m. - Tactical demonstration on the east side of the fort

12:30 p.m. - Artillery demonstration in front of the fort

2:30 p.m. - Tactical demonstration on the east side of the fort

3:30 p.m. - Artillery demonstration in front of the fort

If you go ...

WHAT: 2007 French and Indian War muster, historical demonstrations

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20. See schedule of events for more details.

WHERE: Fort Frederick State Park, 11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool

COST: Admission costs $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 7 to 12. Free for children 6 years old and younger.

MORE: Food and souvenir vendors on site. For more information, call the Fort Frederick State Park Visitor Center, 301-842-2155.

|

|

|