Winner of 2 History Awards From the Kentucky Historical Society

THIS WEBSITE FUNDED BY THE FORT BOONESBOROUGH FOUNDATION

Good weather has graced the first two February Fireside Chats and it look like winter will probably stay away for a little longer.

Scott New presented Daniel Boone on February 5 to a great crowd and a dinner of Jack Winburn’s famous Kentucky Burgoo.

New is a well researched authority on Boone having portrayed the famed woodsman for almost 13 years. He works closely with authors and historic sites related to Boone to continually learn and update newly found information.

Fort Manager Bill Farmer (left) and Elizabeth Chalfant of the Fort Boonesborogh Foundation (right) look on as Park Manager Phil Gray awards a book to visiting Boy Scouts.

Click here for a video clip of Scott New as Daniel Boone.

Mad Anne Bailey

Mad Anne Bailey was a frontier scout, hunter and messenger in early Virginia. She told her story at the second “Chat” of 2011 on February 12th to a standing ovation. Mad Anne is portrayed by Suzanne Larner Dennis of Indianapolis, Indiana. Dennis has been portraying Mad Anne since 2009. She also appeared at Fort Boonesborough in June of 2010 during Women on the Frontier.

Dinner on this evening was a white chili with special Valentine cupcakes for dessert.  Flowers on the table were also part of the silent auction which benefits the Fort Boonesborough Foundation

Click here for a video clip of Suzanne Dennis as Mad Anne Bailey.

The Doctor

By Kathy Cummings

Ever wonder what you would have done if you were sick or injured in the 18th century. If you were lucky there might have been a doctor available. Then again if you were lucky there might not have been a doctor available.

Albert Roberts portrays just such a doctor. And he delighted crowds at the February 19th Fireside chat with his wit and humor.

Although we take cleanliness and antibacterial hand gel as part of everyday life - little was known about germs and their interaction with the body before the mid to late 19th century.

Roberts make these points by wiping his medical tools on his bloodstained leather apron and occasionally sniffling during his performance. It brings laughter from the crowd and is the perfect way to make his point.

He used volunteers from the audience to demonstrate both an amputation and a lead ball removal from his “patient.”

Another balmy February night allowed members of the Foundation time to visit outside the blockhouse.

Visitors from Saudi Arabia stop to catch a photo with “The Doctor.”

Visitors crowded around after the performance to see the medical tools on display.

The doctor answers questions about “anesthesia”.

Andrew Montour or Sattelihu
portrayed by Bill Hunt
 

The Fort Boonesborough staff and foundation always try to make the chats a well rounded historical experience. For 2011 they reached beyond the revolutionary war period that fort visitors are used to and touched on the French and Indian War. As Bill Farmer stated in his introduction, “the history behind our history.”

Andrew Montour was the son of a Canadian mother and a Oneidian father. His life had him crossing over from both worlds as he became an interpreter. Montour spoke 7 native languages in addition to French and English.

He was portrayed by Bill Hunt of Charleston, West Virginia who  is also a member of the West Virginia Humanities Council. Similar to Kentucky’s Chautauqua performances West Virginia’s speakers program is known as History Alive!

Andrew Montour’s style of dress reflected both his French and native heritage.

In just the four short weeks of February visitors arrived with more daylight each week and the new lanterns lining the walkway had only to be used after the performance.

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