Throughout the day, visitors will experience life as an early settler in the French Creek Valley circa 1760s. Activities include battle reenactments (pictured above), period sutlers (traveling vendors) selling their wares, art displays, games for the children, educational programs for the adults, as well as demonstrations from participants such as the blacksmith (pictured below), tinsmiths, trappers, leather workers, coopers and many more. Mercyhurst University students will oversee archeological programs including the ever-popular dig for the children. Additional children's programs are being added this year.
2018 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Saturday, July 14
[This event has concluded Sunday, July 15. Plans are underway for 2019.]
MAIN TENT PRESENTATIONS – GENERAL SCHEDULE
9:15 AM Introductions & Welcome
Mark Roche, Cochranton Area Redevelopment Effort, Inc.
9:30 AM “Henry Bouquet’s Destiny: The March to Bushy Run”
Matt Wulff, Author, Historical Researcher & Living Historian
10:30 AM Reenactor Paddle-In and Living History Encampments
10:45 AM Confluence of French Creek and Sugar Creek – Cochranton Landing
11:00 AM French Creek Historical Marker at Cochranton Landing:
Rededication Ceremony
Andrea MacDonald, Director, PA State Historic Preservation Office
Mark Roche, Cochranton Area Redevelopment Effort, Inc.
Arrival of George Washington and comments by David Preston
11:30 PM MID-DAY / LUNCH BREAK
12:30 PM “The Origins of Pontiac’s War, 1755-1763”
David Preston, Author & Professor, The Citadel
1:30 PM “Round Table I: Pontiac’s War – Uprising & Revenge on the Frontier”
Group Panel Discussion with Event Speakers, Living Historians & Invited Experts
3:00 PM “A Most Troublesome Situation – An Overview of the Pontiac Indian
Uprising of 1763-1764”
Timothy Todish, Author & Historian
4:00 PM Main Tactical Reenactment Event: Attack at Fort Venango
[to take place in the tactical engagement area]
5:00 PM All activities, events & encampments closed until Sunday
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SUNDAY, JULY 15
9:45 AM Introduction & Welcome
Mark Roche, Cochranton Area Redevelopment Effort
10:00 AM "Settlers and Captives -- One Family's Story"
Beth Kennedy, Living Historian & Author
[UPDATE: due to a family emergency, this speaker will not be
presenting]
11:00 AM "Guyasuta's War and New Insights from the Archaeology of
Custaloga Town"
Dr. Edward A. Jolie, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology/
Archaeology, Mercyhurst University
12:00 PM MID-DAY / LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM Round Table II: Theme & Participants TBA
Group Panel Discussion with Event Speakers, Living Historians & Invited Experts
2:00 PM Presentation Title TBA
Michael Burke, Exhibit Specialist, Fort Pitt Museum
3:30 PM Main Tactical Reenactment Event: Attack at Fort Venango
[to take place in the tactical engagement area]
4:30 PM All activities, events & encampments closed