Mon – Sat: 10am – 4:30pm
Sun: 12pm – 4:30pm
Posted on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
MOUNT VERNON’S GEORGE WASHINGTON
RETURNS TO FORT LIGONIER
Ligonier, PA – Visitors to Fort Ligonier on Sunday, June 13, 2010 will enjoy special activities and programming including the opportunity to meet Mount Vernon’s George Washington, portrayed by Dean Malissa. Mr. Malissa is the official and sole portrayer of our nation’s first president at Mount Vernon- George Washington’s Estate and Gardens. He has also portrayed General Washington in several television productions for The Discovery Channel, NBC and Showtime, appeared on CNN, and in various historically-themed films. His resume includes appearances at The White House, the Smithsonian, the National Archives, the National Portrait Gallery, Valley Forge Historical Park, the New York Historical Society, and many other historical venues.
This is a return visit to the Ligonier Valley for Mr. Malissa, as last June, he appeared at Fort Ligonier, and in 2008, he participated in special educational programming, along with Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Bill Barker), Abraham Lincoln (portrayed by Jim Getty) and Theodore Roosevelt (portrayed by Jim Foote) as part of the Ligonier 250 commemorative activities.
Additional programs at Fort Ligonier on June 13 feature Dr. Kinorea “Two Feather” Tigri, a cultural practitioner of the Cherokee Nation.
As a young colonel of the Virginia Regiment in service to the British Crown in the Pennsylvania backcountry of the 1750s, George Washington was a central figure in the crucible of the French and Indian War, which set America on its future course almost 20 years before the Revolution. This military apprenticeship, which established Washington’s experience and reputation for leadership, was an essential credential that brought him the command of the Continental Army in 1775.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the Fort, artillery batteries, and museum including the remarkable George Washington Collection, which features a Rembrandt Peale portrait of young Washington, an original document handwritten by George Washington, and the magnificent Washington saddle pistols. Fort Ligonier’s most recent exhibit, The World Ablaze: An Introduction to the Seven Years’ War, includes over 200 original objects from the 18th century, acquired from across the world, and features an original 1760 Redcoat uniform.
Fort Ligonier will be open from 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM on June 13 and is located at 200 South Market Street at the intersection of Routes 30 and 711 in Ligonier. Admission is $8.00 for adults; $5.00 for children ages 6 – 14. Children 5 and under are free.
FORT LIGONIER OPENS FOR 2010 SEASON
Ligonier, PA – Fort Ligonier opens for the 2010 season on Thursday, April 15, with a comprehensive calendar of special activities slated throughout the year. Executive Director Martin West stated, “Our 2010 programs will coincide with our theme, “The Year of the Conquest” as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the final year of the French and Indian War in 1760, the capture of Montreal, and the fall of New France to Britain.”
Highlights of this year’s schedule include two new programs: French and Indian War artillery demonstrations and battle reenactments during the weekend of July 24-25, and bread baking demonstrations in Fort Ligonier’s field ovens on August 14-15. Additionally, popular programs such as Community Day and Fort Ligonier Days activities will return. The complete events calendar includes the following:
April 15 Opening Day
May 1-2 Detachment of the 60th Regiment – Royal Americans Encampment, Drills, and Musket Firing
May 29-30 Detachment of the 8th PA Regiment
June 13 “The Return of George Washington” Meet Mount Vernon’s George Washington
July 24-25 “The Year of the Conquest: Fall of New France” Artillery Demonstrations – 1:00 & 3:00 PM Battle Reenactments – 1:30 & 3:30 PM
August 14-15 Bread Baking Demonstrations in the Field Ovens Old Barracks Staff, Trenton, New Jersey
September 4-5 Detachment of the 60th Regiment – Royal Americans Encampment, Drills, and Musket Firing
October 9-10 Fort Ligonier Days
Artillery Demonstrations – 1:30 & 3:30 PM
Battle Reenactments – 2:00 & 4:00 PM
Operating hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 4:30 PM, and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Admission fees remain unchanged since 2008; adults $8, children (ages 6 – 14) $5, and children 5 and under are free. In addition to exploring the many buildings including a Blacksmith’s shop, hospital, and soldier’s barracks, as well as the artillery batteries in the Fort, visitors will enjoy touring the French & Indian War Art Gallery, the History Gallery, the George Washington Pistols Exhibit, and “The World Ablaze: An Introduction to the Seven Years’ War.” The museum store offers a wide selection of books, gifts, clothing, and children’s items. For more information, call 724.238.9701 or visit the recently redesigned web site, www.fortligonier.org.
Posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010
A new web site was launched by Fort Ligonier today, which incorporates new technology and design, highlights the George Washington Story with a focus on his early military career in western Pennsylvania, and features the global context of the French and Indian War through Fort Ligonier’s premier exhibit: The World Ablaze: An Introduction to the Seven Years’ War. By logging on to www.fortligonier.org, individuals will learn the history of the 18th century fort and museum by navigating through the galleries, exhibits, a map of the fort, virtual tours and videos. Stunning photography is found on every web page.
New elements of the web site include an on-line museum store featuring select books and DVD’s, an interactive French and Indian War timeline, and the ability to support Fort Ligonier through membership and on-line donations. Fort Ligonier comes to life through a video library of special events and interviews. Educators, tour operators, and group leaders will find information regarding educational programs, field trips and tours. Visitors may frequently check the Upcoming Events section for the calendar of special programs.
“Our goal is to provide an interesting and interactive site with easy navigation for our visitors to learn about the French and Indian War, a frontier fort, and the people of the 18th century. Well-known historical figures who served at Fort Ligonier include George Washington, John Forbes, Horatio Gates and Arthur St. Clair, to name a few,” commented Martin West, Director of Fort Ligonier. “We encourage visitors to use the site for planning a trip to experience Fort Ligonier firsthand.”
This new web site was designed by Fireman Creative of Pittsburgh. Fort Ligonier is located approximately 12 miles from Exit 91 (Donegal) of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the intersection of U.S. Route 30 and PA Route 711. Fort Ligonier will open for the 2010 season on Thursday, April 15. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Sunday, 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM. For more information, phone 724.238.9701 or visit www.fortligonier.org.