Date: May 24, 2010
Contact: William Sawyer, 315 338-7730
Rome, NY: Come to Fort Stanwix National Monument over Memorial Day Weekend and you just might see a British flag flying over the fort. This is because the park will be hosting its annual French and Indian War encampment on Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30. The encampment will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. A full range of activities from weapons demonstrations to a ladies' tea will allow visitors to interact with re-enactors portraying French, British and Colonial troops, and the Indian allies that worked with them.
Fort Stanwix was built by the British in 1758 to protect the area from French invasion, and to support British attacks into French controlled Canada. The fort quickly thrust the Mohawk Valley frontier onto the world stage. "Our French and Indian War in North America was part of a larger international conflict between France and England to determine who would be the world superpower of the 18th century," said park ranger William Sawyer. "By supporting British attacks as a supply depot and staging area, Fort Stanwix helped the Great Britain become that superpower." Sawyer added, "Ironically, this victory over France would pave the way for the 13 colonies rebellion against the British in 1775."
Fort Stanwix National Monument is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the park is free. Activities are ongoing unless noted. For more information about upcoming events please call the park at (315) 338-7730. Please also visit the park's web page at www.nps.gov/fost for additional information about the park and up-to-date news about park events.
