Fort Ligonier (1 Viewer)

[Combat]

I took a little French-Indian tour in western PA this weekend. The highlight was Fort Ligonier about an hour east of Pittsburgh - maybe three hours from DC or Baltimore. They have an extensive collection of F-I exhibits, an entire fort, and the largest bookstore on the F-I that I have ever seen. I bought several books including one called "The Battle on Snowshoes" by Bob Bearor. One of the few books that I've seen on that battle. Really worth a trip: http://www.fortligonier.org/ The fort is also within a short distance of Johnstown - scene of the great flood and the flight 93 crash site and 9/11 memorial. Both are worth a visit.

There is also a very small toy soldier shop in the town of Ligonier. I believe they had one set of FM-01 still available and maybe one of the early BM's. Also visited the "Battle of Bushy Run" near Greensburg, PA. An interesting post-FI battle between the Indians and Scots/Brits. Finally, Pittsburgh with Fort Pitt. A nice city to visit if you can avoid the road construction. As a side note, the area of Braddock's battle is now entirely built over. Unfortunately, there is nothing left to see from that battle.

 

[general_btsherman]

Here is an image of the Monongahela battlefield today. I took this image from the opposite bank of the river.

 

[Combat]

At the Bushy Run visitor center they have a pennant commemorating the 150th anniversary of the battle - it is from 1913! Fort Ticonderoga has a 250th anniversary reenactment coming up the last week of June.

 

[marco55]

I have 5 books by Bob Bearer.He is of French-Canadian decent and his books are from the French point of view.
Mark

 

[Combat]

Anyone know a decent place to stay in the Fort Ticonderoga area? I was thinking about heading up there for the 250th anniversary - last weekend of June.

 

[general_btsherman]

There’s only one hotel in town and I’m sure it’s booked by now. Lake George is about a half-hour away and there are a ton of hotels there. Personally, I’m camping at Crown Point state park.

 

[Combat]

For information on the 250th Ticonderoga events: http://www.fort-ticonderoga250th.org/schedule.htm

Anyone know a good source for F-I reproduction items? I was thinking of adding some militaria to my JJ collection - maybe a gorget or tomahawk.

 

[Combat]

I just wrapped up the great French Indian tour in upper NY. First, Lake George and Fort William Henry from Last of the Mohicans fame. Lake George is now a putt-putt golf and amusement park town geared toward the summer tourist crowd. The fort itself is almost hidden amidst the tourist frenzy. The French and British would have headed back to Europe without a fight if they could see it today. Not a single sign indicated where the fort is located. The fort itself is an entire reproduction with the original having been destroyed by the French. The guide plays it mostly for laughs for the masses. The gift shop like a yard sale gone wrong. Overall probably not worth your time.

Fort Ticonderoga. This is more like it. The Fort is in great condition and the place was crawling with F-I reenactors this weekend for the 250th anniversay. The sutler shops had a ton of reproduction items from the era. It was hot though. Kudos to anyone who stuck it out for the weekend in those costumes. I had lunch at the Ticonderoga Country Club - scene of the Battle on Snowshoes if you can believe that! Nothing left from the battle just one sign on the road indicating that the Rangers had a dust up there.

Non-FI but in that area. Battle of Saratoga from the Rev. War. I knew nothing about it but decided to stop there. This is run by the National Park Service. The battle field covers quite an area and is hard to envision with all the trees and growth. Reminded me a bit of Gettysburg in size. Interesting nameless monument to Benedict Arnold who had his brightest day here before changing sides.

Last but not least - Grant's cottage. For any civil war buff this is a little gem just outside Saratoga Springs. Grant spent his last month at the cottage writing his memoirs. There are some famous pictures of him sitting on the outside porch. He suffered from throat cancer and had moved to the cooler climate hoping it would make him a bit more comfortable in his last days. The cottage is now on the grounds of a correctional facility/prison which is a bit strange. The staff were great and provided everything you could want to know about the cottage. Most of the furnishings are original including the bed that Grant died in.

 

[Mister Dave]

I've never been to Ticonderoga, but came close. Made it as far as Crown Point which was a very cool spot, but it was getting dark and Ticonderoga was not yet open for the season anyway as it was still early Spring. That was a couple of years ago. Did you get any repro. FIW stuff from the suttlers? Also, did you take any photos you could share?

MD

 

[general_btsherman]

I also attended the reenactment at Ticonderoga this last weekend. I took a bunch of photos. I will start to post them when I get some time. This was the best and biggest F & I reenactment that I’ve ever been to!

 

[Combat]

I've never been to Ticonderoga, but came close. Made it as far as Crown Point which was a very cool spot, but it was getting dark and Ticonderoga was not yet open for the season anyway as it was still early Spring. That was a couple of years ago. Did you get any repro. FIW stuff from the suttlers? Also, did you take any photos you could share?

MD

I picked up a French flag. Had my eye on a French gorget made in silver but the price and my wife who was melting in the humidity dissuaded me - at least temporarily. I got their card. Everything imaginable was on sale. Some great tomahawks - again dissuaded. BTW: the most disturbing sight was a fellow in a loin cloth who had bronzed himself with instant tanning lotion in order to portray an Indian. It had turned him a sort of orange color. No pictures from me, but it sounds like GB will post a few.

 

[general_btsherman]

Guys,
I just posted the first set of images from the reenactment. I put them in the Historical Discussion area. The thread name is "Battle of Fort Ticonderoga 250th Reenactment Pictures"