2008 French and Indian War Essay Contest Announced

Date: March 1, 2008
Contact: MaryEllen Snyder, 724-329-8131
Contact: Tom Markwardt, 724-329-2013

For College Sophomores and Juniors

FARMINGTON, PA: The National Park Service and National Road Heritage Corridor today announced an essay contest for college students. The staff of Fort Necessity National Battlefield will administer the “2008 French and Indian War Essay Contest” that will provide $9,000 in scholarships.

The contest will provide an opportunity for rising scholars to demonstrate originality, research and documentation skills. The contest is open to college and university sophomores and juniors in the spring of 2008 majoring in history, American studies, or related field. In addition to the scholarship money awarded, winning essayist will have an opportunity present their work to leading scholars in their field of study.

“We wanted to celebrate the public unveiling of the 1771 Bill of Sale Document transferring ownership of the Great Meadows, site of the battle of Fort Necessity, to George Washington. And we wanted to do it in a unique and meaningful way,” said Joanne Hanley, general superintendent of the national parks in western Pennsylvania. “In sponsoring this contest we are honoring the 250th anniversary of the Forbes Campaign and Fort Ligonier. We also hope to contribute original material to the knowledge base of the French and Indian War and the National Road”

Contestants’ essays will be on one of four topics: War and Western Pennsylvania in the making of George Washington, the significance of forts and roads in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century in Western Pennsylvania, the role and significance of native peoples in the Seven Years' War, or the role of women in the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War).

Fort Necessity National Battlefield is located 11 miles east of Uniontown, Pennsylvania on U.S. Route 40, the Historic National Road. For complete rules, guidelines, call Fort Necessity at 724-329-5811, or visit www.nps.gov/fone/essaycontest.htm. All entries must be submitted, by mail or e-mail, no later than April 15, 2008.