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Contact: Jill Hamilton-Anderson, 912-406-2612
Saint Simons Island (GA): Fort Frederica National Monument and the Friends of Fort Frederica welcome you to a celebration of General James Oglethorpe’s birthday on Saturday, December 11 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. This continues the tradition of celebrating the leading figure of the new colony of Georgia, General James Edward Oglethorpe as he was historically honored on his birthday in the young settlements of the colony.
"This being Mr. Oglethorpe's Birthday the Magistrates, military Officers, and principal Inhabitants, met at the Fort, where some Bottles of Wine and some Biscuit being prepared, about Noon his Majesty's Health, and the Royal Family's were drank, under a Discharge of thirteen guns; then the honourable Trustees; and next the Captain General of these Provinces." -William Stephens, 1737
During the birthday celebration, enjoy hearing live music performed by the Coastal Brass Choir from 11:00 to 12:30 pm. Roam the living history area and see some settlers demonstrate a skill needed to survive in this difficult environment. Attend a program about General Oglethorpe at 1:00 pm in the park outdoor amphitheater, and toast to General Oglethorpe at 1:45 pm, followed by a musket firing to end the day. Our bookstore will be open for holiday gift shopping.
“Oglethorpe was the leading figure in the founding of the Georgia colony and his birthday was a chance for the settlers of Frederica to momentarily step away from the rigors of frontier life,” says Fort Frederica Deputy Superintendent Steve Theus. “We hope people will take a break from the rigors of modern life and join us as we toast General James Oglethorpe in holiday style.”
Visitors to national parks travel from all over the country and the world. Because of this and recognizing that most of the United States is currently in substantial or high transmission categories, and in consultation with doctors and public health professionals, we’ve implemented a nationwide mask requirement. To best protect our staff and visitors, masks are required inside all NPS buildings and in crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status or location.
For more information about Fort Frederica National Monument, visit (www.nps.gov/fofr) or follow the park on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FortFredericaNPS/). This event is supported by the Friends of Fort Frederica National Monument, visit (Friends of Fort Frederica (fortfredericafriends.org) for more information on this 501(c)3 organization.
www.nps.gov About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: December 10, 2021