18th Century Christmas at the Fort

Winter Trade Days Bring Sutlers and
Visitors to the Fort after Thanksgiving

Foundation Awards First Re-Enactor Appreciation Prize Siege Weekend

Re-enactor John Morgan was the lucky recipient of the first Re-Enactor Appreciation Prize awarded by The Fort Boonesborough Foundation. Each year registered re-enactors drop their name in the “hat” every time they participate in an event at Fort Boonesborough. All prizes have traditionally been awarded at Winter Trade Days - the last official event of the season. But in 2010 The Fort Boonesborough Foundation suggested a change in the drawing for the smoothbore flintlock gun. The Siege of Boonesborough always has the highest number of participants of all fort events, so the drawing, for the gun only was made during Siege weekend so that all could enjoy the fun and excitement of the raffle.

 This year’s winning re-enactor is a long time friend of Fort Boonesborough and former employee who supports all of the events at the fort. Along with the change in when this prize was awarded was the stipulation that the winner was present at the Siege. So John received the gun amid cheers from the crowd and was able to use it over the weekend.

Park Manager Phil Gray, said “We really appreciate everyone’s support of the Siege Re-enactment, and it seems like a great way to say thanks, by having someone who is present for the event go home with a new gun.” The drawing for all other items in the program will be done as always, during the Winter Trade Days  weekend on November 27-28, 2010.

The 2011 Women on the Frontier Weekend had both 18th century re-eenactors and fort visitors getting a real hands on experience on June 11 and 12th. Food and Fiber was the theme and event coordinator Kristi Heasley and Park Manager Bill Farmer made sure all of the participants got a chance to experience what life would have been like in the 18th century. Milking a cow, spinning, carding wool and weaving were part of Saturday’s schedule. While on Sunday visitors got a walk through the fort garden with a discussion on 18th century food and vegetables, cooking, meat preserving and food drying and storage. And court was held by Daniel Boone with a special emphasis on an 18th century women’s rights.

Special Thanks

For the first time park employees played a major role in the hands on sessions and event coordinators would like to extend a special thank you to Mary Beth Powell (weaver), Charlotte Eskew (spinning) Scott New (Daniel Boone for his court day session) and Brook and Barbara Elliot for both their sessions on food preparation and heirloom gardening and for the delightful meal  on Saturday night. The Fort Boonesborough Foundation also gets a special thanks for both their support of this event and their on site food booth. Photos now loaded!

A new website for the Kentucky State Parks Foundation was launched on May 2, 2011. Just as the Fort Boonesborough Foundation supports and donates their time on behalf of this park the state park foundation works on behalf of all of the Kentucky State Parks.

The original Fort Boonesborough was built by Daniel Boone and his men in 1775

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