PRESS RELEASE
250th Anniversary of the Settling of Kentucky and the Founding of Fort Boonesborough 1775
Fort Boonesborough State Park along the Kentucky River
The Fort Boonesborough Foundation is sponsoring a Free event on June 7-8, 2025 celebrating the settling of Kentucky and the Founding of Fort Boonesborough.
Richard Henderson, an 18th Century land speculator, acquired land from the Cherokee at the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals in Tennessee in March 1775. He contracted with Daniel Boone and his group to blaze a trail through the Cumberland Gap into the area we know as Boonesborough, Kentucky.
Establishing the Boone Trace leading to the site along the Kentucky River and Fort Boonesborough was a daunting task. They arrived on April 1, 1775, and set up camp along the Kentucky River. When Richard Henderson arrived on April 15, with 40 people and some livestock, he moved the site 300 yards upriver where it was less likely to flood and more defensible.
The two-day event will open with a presentation of colors by the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Lafayette Chapter, honoring the pioneers of the past.
At 11 a.m. on Saturday, there will be a re-creation of the arrival of Boone and his axe cutters entering the area. Led by Steve Caudill as Daniel Boone, on this last leg of the trek from Tennessee, their accomplishment will be celebrated by all. Many relay hikers have contributed to the completion of this historic trek over the miles and three states.
The schedule includes speakers Randell Jones from Winston Salem N. C. a Boone expert and author with two presentations. Saturday’s title is” Coming to Ken-te-kee, Boone’s Odyssey before Kentucky”, and on Sunday, “Between Two Sons- Daniel Boone During the American Revolution”.
Nancy O’Malley, official archaeologist for the Fort dig, will speak about identifying the original fort site, and the interesting findings, part of which are on display at the replica fort on the park grounds.
A presentation of a fictional character, “Maggie Delaney” an indentured servant, on Saturday brings forward some of the hardships suffered by many in the new world. Although not an actual person, Carol Jarboe’s character was compiled by researching indentured servant’s accounts of their lives. On Sunday, re-enactor Emily Burns will do a presentation of Betty Harper - Frontier Midwife.
There will be re-enactors camps of both settlers and natives along the river and vendors with period correct items to sell. In 1775 before the fort was built the settlers gathered under “The Divine Elm”. A majestic tree, under whose boughs “100 persons could be seated”. Celebrations of two of the many firsts that occurred at Fort Boonesborough will be held under the trees in the same area as the “Divine Elm” tree was in 1775. We will be reminded of what the first legislative session in Kentucky accomplished The first church service in the state was also held under the “Divine Elm” and Frank Jarboe will be portraying “Parson John” an 18th Century fictional character who will take a look at the history of the 18th Century Church and deliver a sermon, similar to what the early settlers would have heard.
Historical groups associated with the history of the area will be on hand with information, there will be a Boonesborough State Park historic photo display, handmade display of the original fort, ongoing demonstrations of frontier skills in the reenactor camp, as well as souvenirs, tee-shirts and books for sale with authors available to sign. Children will also be invited to make cloth dolls and train as 18th Century frontier militia.
This event is Free and open to the public. There will be shuttle buses to transport the public from the parking area to the event. Shuttles will also take visitors to the reproduction fort where admission is Adults $8.00, Children 6-12 $5.00, Children 5 and under free.
FORT BOONESBOROUGH STATE PARK
4375 Boonesborough Rd.
Richmond, Ky. 40475
859-527-3131
