West Virginia State Parks is sponsoring a series of French & Indian War educational events at three state parks along the Ohio River to commemorate the French & Indian War. The raids led by Cherokee commanders Ostenaco and Oconostota along the Ohio River to the vicinity of Fort Duquesne 250 years ago in 1758 will be highlighted. The public will interact with costumed history interpreters shedding new light on the alliance formed between the colony of Virginia and the Cherokees to oust the French from the Ohio Valley.
Two hundred and fifty years ago this year, Cherokee war gangs traveled the Ohio River War Road, terrorizing the French and their allied American Indians. See history come alive at Tu-Endie-Wei, Blennerhassett Island, and Tomlinson Run state parks.

Tu-Endie-Wei State Park – Saturday March 29, 2008

10am-11am
Warriors’ camp living history demonstrations, on the grounds of Tu-Endie-Wei State Park

11am-Noon
Focus on prisoners and their fates, on park grounds

Noon -2pm
Warriors’ camp demonstrations.

2pm-3pm
Warrior hike to emphasize long-distance travel, communication techniques, and local landmarks significant in the war. On the grounds and along the floodwall.

3pm-4pm
Overview of the F&I War in the region (an audio-visual presentation with maps & historical images that interpret the landscape, the events, and the people of the era). At Fort Randolph Terrace, next door to the park.

4pm-5pm
I have now made a path to Virginia, a WV Humanities Council History Alive!
presentation of Cherokee Commander Outacite Ostenaco, at Fort Randolph Terrace

Portrayals include a French captive, a Delaware captive, a Shawnee captive, a Virginia captive of Shawnees returning to Virginia with the Cherokee war gang, a Virginia soldier embedded with the Cherokee war gang, Cherokee warriors, and a Cherokee War Woman.

Blennerhassett Island State Park – Sunday June 29, 2008

11am-1pm
Warriors’ camp living history demonstrations.

1pm-2pm
Focus on prisoners and their fates.

2pm-3pm
Warrior hike.

2pm-4pm
Warriors’ camp (ongoing while some folks hike).

4pm-5pm
I have now made a path to Virginia, a WV Humanities Council History Alive! presentation of Cherokee Commander Outacite Ostenaco.

Tomlinson Run State Park – Saturday August 30, 2008

An evening visit with costumed living history re-enactors, including Cherokee Commander Ostenaco and a Virginia soldier learning the Indian manner of fighting. This cross training, first ordered by Colonel George Washington in 1755, forever changed the American mode of warfare.

VIEW COMPLETE 2008 ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS CALENDAR