Connellsville historical society to remember Braddock’s Yough river crossing
In this photo taken in July 2010 costumed re-enactors along with visitors ford the Youghiogheny River at Crawford's Cabin in Connellsville. The crossing is part of the annual celebration of the anniversary of Gen. Edward Braddock's army crossing the Youghiogheny more than 250 years ago during the French and Indian War. Visitors and re-enactors will gather again on the banks of the Youghiogheny in Connellsville the weekend of June 25, 26 to mark the anniversary.
Braddock's Crossing marker
?CONNELLSVILLE 鈥� The Connellsville Area Historical Society will commemorate the area蘑菇视频 ties to the founding of the nation during the re-enactment of Braddock蘑菇视频 Crossing on Saturday and Sunday.
Through a variety of demonstrations, musical performances and activities, participants will step back in time when Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock and his nearly 2,000 colonial and British soldiers crossed the Youghiogheny River at what was then known as Stewart蘑菇视频 Crossing.
The 1755 crossing was a part of a mission undertaken by the British to push the French out of the Ohio Valley.
Less than two weeks after the Youghiogheny River crossing, Braddock was mortally wounded when they were attacked by the French and their American Indian allies.
Festivities will begin at 11?a.m. with an opening ceremony featuring Boy Scout Troop 101 overseeing the raising of the U.S. flag and the national anthem performed by Todd Reagan and Ben Haines.
Also, the host organization will dedicate the recently constructed William Balsley Pavilion, named in honor of the founder of the historical society.
In addition to the encampments, there will be musical performances by David and Ginger Hildebrand on Saturday and Adam Sutch on Sunday.
The couple specializes in researching, recording and performing early American music, including patriotic songs, ballads, marches, dance tunes and theater songs that were known by Braddock and George Washington.
Founders of The Colonial Music Institute, the couple has provided soundtrack materials and served as period music consultants for several PBS broadcasts and produced six full-length recordings.
鈥淲e are very fortunate to have the Hildebrands join us,鈥� said Karen Hechler, society president. 鈥淭hey have taken part in programs at Washington蘑菇视频 home at Mount Vernon and are very knowledgeable of the music of this era.鈥�
In keeping with the era, the Hildebrands will be attired in period costumes during their story-telling and musical presentations.
The performances will include authentic and reproduction instruments, including the violin, Baroque guitar, English guitar, hammered dulcimer, harpsichord and English flute.
Sutch, meanwhile, made his debut at the 2010 crossing and was very popular with attendees, said Hechler.
鈥淲e are glad he has agreed to return and perform on the hammered Dulcimer,鈥� she said.
On Saturday evening, Bosnick will share stories and songs around the campfire.
Activities will begin at 11?a.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday
Also returning is George Washington interpreter Brian Cunning along with several other re-enactors, including John Miller, who will portray the Delaware Native American 鈥淏lack Bird,鈥� Aaron Bosnick, a Mekoce Shawnee, and Todd Johnson, as 鈥淕host In Head鈥�.
Hechler said Cunning plans to 鈥渙pen鈥� the Bloody Dirk Tavern Saturday evening with Bosnick offering stories and music around the campfire.
A full schedule of activities has been planned with the river crossing re-enactment to take place at 1?p.m. each day, weather permitting. Re-enactors and civilians over the age of 18 may sign up to cross the river. The activity will be overseen by the New Haven Hose Scuba Team and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Also taking part will be Wayne Kelly, blacksmith demonstrations; Lee and Kimberlee Miller, tinsmith, bobbin lace and tatting demonstrations; Redstone Rangers, colonial lifestyle; Carol Fortunato, Native American traditional games and crafts; and Ronald Cremeans, artillery.
In conjunction with the re-enactment, in neighboring Yough Park the Fayette County Cultural Trust will host 鈥淎rt on the Yough,鈥� with several artisans showcasing their work, children蘑菇视频 activities and a variety of musicians performing on the park stage from 11?a.m. to 5?p.m. Saturday and noon to 5?p.m. Sunday.