Help us Revitalize George Washington Park

It has been nearly 25 years since the George Washington park was last updated.  There are several areas in which the park needs repair or updating.  The large cement planters need to be removed as they no longer drain creating issues with the survivability of plantings, bushes have outgrown their original planting obstructing views of the park and statue, lighting in the park is outdated with some fixtures no longer operational, and trees in the park need trimmed with at least one requiring removal.  Some of the features we plan to add include a lecture area for future education programming, a trail connecting the park to our 18th century garden, and native Pennsylvania flora that will provide beautiful colors in every season.  The updates will provide a better backdrop to the large amount of people who come to have their picture taken with George.  This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the dedication of our George Washington statue! Dedicated in 1922, the George Washington statue has flanked the South end of town for 100 years now! Please help us make these plans reality!

 

 

During the 18th century, the Ohio Valley would play host to some of the most important military actions in North America. As the British Empire expanded Westward and the French Empire looked to solidify its control on interior land claims, confrontation in the Ohio Valley was destined to transpire. The opening salvo to eventual confrontation was the mission undertaken by a 21-year-old Major George Washington, delivering an eviction notice to French forces on the Ohio from the colony of Virginia. The inexperienced Washington was guided through the wilderness as an early Winter set in by Christopher Gist, a grizzled frontier trader & surveyor. Washington traveled to Fortress de la Rivière aux Boeuf, the southernmost post built by the French during the summer of 1753, where he met Captain Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre. Saint-Pierre, having just arrived a week earlier, consulted with the commander at Fort Presque Isle 15 miles north, and replied to Washington that the French would stay put on the Ohio. Returning to Williamsburg, Virginia in Early January 1754, Washington successfully completed his mission, although without a favorable outcome. The mission to Fort LeBoeuf was the first successful mission in Washington’s public service career. It provided him with a first glimpse of the complicated diplomacy taking place in the Ohio Valley between the French, British, and Native Americans. With the “Half-King” Tanacharison accompanying him on the later stages of the trip to LeBoeuf, Washington learns first-hand the complicated relationship the Iroquois had with either Empire as they sought to strike a policy of neutrality. Lessons Washington learned during this mission would influence the way in which he conducted himself throughout the rest of his military career and as he entered the political phase of his life.

 

More information about Fort Leboeuf Historical Society: Dedicated To Collecting, Protecting, And Preserving The History Of The Waterford Area For The Interest And Education Of Present And Future Generations