Fort Frederick State Park

BIG POOL - Much like sutlers did in the 18th century, Neal Redmond sells handcrafted wares for a living. In his case, the wares are wearable. Redmond and his wife, Margie, make 18th-century-style military and civilian clothing, such as waistcoats, knee britches, long pants, shirts, sleep waistcoats, coats, hats and ladies clothing. They will be among more than 130 artisans, craftspeople and vendors at Fort Frederick's 12th annual 18th Century Market Fair today through Sunday.

BIG POOL - The 250th Anniversary of Fort Frederick celebration committee has been meeting for several years to develop plans for the May 26-28 event. Members of the Friends of Fort Frederick, current and former staff members of Fort Frederick State Park, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) employees, a campaign consultant, and Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) President Tom Riford have been busy finalizing details. The celebration will include living history encampments and programs, period music, artillery demonstrations, fireworks and the opportunity to get a special 250th anniversary stamp cancellation.

BIG POOL tarar@herald-mail.com Supporters of Fort Frederick State Park are trying to raise $1 million for the historic fort's 250th anniversary campaign that will include a weekend celebration and the reconstruction of a facility used as officers quarters during the French and Indian War. Campaign counsel David Kuder, campaign committee member Ralph Young and other members of Friends of Fort Frederick Inc. asked the Washington County...

pepperb@herald-mail.com BIG POOL - Nine-year-old Daniel Rogers, sitting on a wooden bench Saturday inside Fort Frederick's imposing stone walls, twirled a toy pistol in his hands as his friend shifted a toy rifle between his shoulders. The Savage, Md., youngster is no stranger to the fort - his grandfather, Jim Rogers, is its former historian. Saturday, Daniel said, marked the ninth time he has attended the annual French and Indian War Muster at Fort Frederick State Park.

marlob@herald-mail.com BIG POOL - Choosing vacation time for many people involves calculating the best weather for a cruise or a week at the beach or, perhaps, the most advantageous snow conditions at a favorite ski resort. For Bob Yetter, the key factor in his vacation choice is finding out when the Fort Frederick State Park Market Fair will be held each spring. A volunteer interpreter at the park, Yetter doesn't just show up for the event, he throws himself headlong into the 18th century with his attire, his lifestyle and even his address for the four-day event, which ended Sunday.

gregs@herald-mail.com BIG POOL - Tom Kerling stood aside from the dozen or so troops he was commanding before he began calling out orders Saturday at Fort Frederick State Park. Kerling, 31, of Westernport, Md., wore the clothes of a British sergeant during the French and Indian War, complete with red coat, black three-point hat and white stockings, and explained to the crowd of spectators the different ways a muzzle-loading rifle could be used. Of course, it could be fired.

BIG POOL - The History Channel filmed at Fort Frederick State Park on Monday. A film production company that works for the History Channel's "Battlefield Detectives" has been working with the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Md., over the past year on a number of projects involving ballistics. Museum Executive Director George Wunderlich has been working with the Maryland Park Service, arranging for a cannon and a location to perform the live fire. The TV production crew is working on a project that involves a naval battle during the War of 1812.

scottb@herald-mail.com BIG POOL - A piece of Fort Frederick State Park history, a building constructed and used by the Civilian Conservation Corps, was moved a quarter of a mile southwest to the fort property on Wednesday. Park Historian Steve Robertson said he has heard conflicting accounts about how the CCC used the building. As with other buildings erected by the CCC at the fort between 1934 and 1936, it was made of tar paper and wood, and was considered temporary, Robertson said.