Living history commemoration slated for this weekend at Fort Necessity
On Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, Fort Necessity National Battlefield will host a living history program recreating camp life near the reconstructed Fort Necessity to observe the 269th anniversary of the Jumonville Affair.
Volunteers, staff and living historians will portray members of the British and French armies and Native Americans who served at the Great Meadows in 1754.
On both days, ranger programs at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. will conclude with weapons firing demonstrations. On Sunday at 7 a.m., a park ranger-led walk will start from the Jumonville Glen parking area and highlight the historical events of that fateful morning. Programs will take place rain or shine, and visitors are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
Officials recently released some of the findings of a four-week archeological investigation that verified Jumonville Glen was the site of the first skirmish of the French and Indian War. Several 18th century ballistics and other artifacts were recently uncovered at the glen, which is part of Fort Necessity National Battlefield.
A 15-minute skirmish at Jumonville Glen on the morning of May 28, 1754, launched the seven-year French and Indian War. Virginia provincial troops under the British flag, commanded by 22-year-old Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, were led by members of Seneca, Oneida and other allied Tribes to a French campsite at the glen. Shots were fired and when it was over, 13 Frenchmen were dead and 21 captured. British casualties were one killed and two or three wounded.
鈥淭he archeology project was the first serious investigation of the historic skirmish site,鈥� said Fort Necessity Superintendent Stephen M. Clark. 鈥淭hrough the help of this partnership project, the National Park Service can now provide a deeper understanding of where the French and Indian War started.鈥�
鈥淔ort Necessity National Battlefield remembers the Jumonville Affair annually with living history programs,鈥� said Fort Necessity National Battlefield Chief of Interpretation and Site Manager Brian Reedy. 鈥淲e can now, with high confidence, conclude the site we protect is indeed the location of the May 28, 1754, skirmish.鈥�