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Friday, July 15, 2011

FIND YOUR WAY TO THIS COLORFUL, COLLECTION OF MAPS

OGDENSBURG, NY July 14, 2011-- If art is in the eye of the beholder, then the 50 historic maps on display in the Ogdensburg Public Library are something to
behold.
The 18th- and early 19th-century maps, collected over 30 years by French and Indian War re-enactor Randy Patten, provide a fascinating look into America’s history as it occurred in New York State.
Patten will meet the public in the Library, Friday, July 22 at 5:30 PM to share his reflections on the historic maps, accoutrements and artefacts from the French and Indian War. There is no charge for Patten’s public lecture which kick-offs Founder’s Day Weekend July 23-24.

"Several maps show the local Northern New York area, as well as all of New York State and parts of Canada and Pennsylvania, plus the waterways that people travelled to establish settlements and forts," Patten said. "I consider these maps to be works of art created by men who were masters at drawing these very important illustrations of America’s land, lakes and rivers."
Running through the month of July, the map exhibition is sponsored by the Fort
La Présentation Association.
"We are pleased to have Mr. Patten’s maps exhibited in conjunction with Founders Day Weekend, where we commemorate Ogdensburg’s French colonial history and the French and Indian War," said Barbara O’Keefe, President of the Fort La Présentation Association. "The map collection relates to war and settlement in the mid-1700s and helps illustrate Fort de la Présentation’s role forwarding soldiers, warriors and supplies to the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and beyond."
Patten, a retired New York State Trooper, travel to build his collection has included visits to the Library of Congress and Great Britain to obtain color copies of original maps. Some of the hand-drawn maps have come from the collection of King George III.
For information about the Founder's Day Weekend military re-enactment and
colonial trade fair visit www.fort1749.org.
Information about library hours is at www.ogdensburgpubliclibrary.org.

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Media may contact;
Barbara O’Keefe
President
Fort La Présentation Association
312-393-3315

OGDENSBURG’S FORT LA PRÉSENTATION ASSOCIATION WELCOMES LOCAL PARKS CANADA MANAGER TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OGDENSBURG, NY JULY 13, 2011 -- Anne-Marie Johnson, the site manger for Fort Wellington in Prescott, has been elected to the Fort La Présentation Association Board of Directors.

Ms. Johnson’s knowledge and experience benefits the Fort Association in Ogdensburg which plans to build a heritage interpretation center adjacent to the archaeological site of Fort de la Présentation, 1749-1759. She has the skills to nurture vital cross-border cooperation as the association works to promote 80 years of our common history along the St. Lawrence River from the Seven Years War to the War of 1812.

“For the last three years, Anne-Marie has been a planning committee member for the Fort Association’s Founder’s Day Weekend, commemorating Ogdensburg’s French colonial history,” said Barbara O’Keefe, President of the Fort La Présentation Association. “Her advice and Canadian perspective have enriched our event and expanded Fort Wellington’s cooperation in this annual re-enactment and colonial trade fair.”

The Fort La Presentation Association shares with Parks Canada a common goal to preserve and present to an international public our cross-river history.

“I enjoy working with this dynamic and passionate group which presents exciting opportunities to forge even stronger cross-border relationships through historic sites on both sides of the St. Lawrence River” said Johnson. “With my election to the board, I look forward to an increasingly active role in the Fort Association’s commitment to creating memorable visitor experiences.”

Anne-Marie Johnson is Site and Visitor Experience Manager for Fort Wellington, Battle of the Windmill, Sir John Johnson House, Inverarden House and Glengarry Cairn National Historic Sites of Canada.

The Fort La Presentation Association is building a vibrant legacy. Part of the legacy will be the reconstructed Fort de la Présentation on Lighthouse Point, visible from Prescott’s waterfront. The area adjacent to the original fort site, used by the armies of France, England and the United States from 1749 to 1813, was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Founder’s Day Weekend will attract 18th-century re-enactors from Canada and the United States to Lighthouse Point July 23-24 to commemorate the 1760 Battle of the Thousand Islands.



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For information contact;



Barbara O’Keefe

President

Fort La Présentation Association

315-393-3315



Anne-Marie Johnson

Site and Visitor Experience Manager Parks Canada

613-925-2896

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

New York History: Adirondack Museum Monday Lectures Begin

New York History: Adirondack Museum Monday Lectures Begin: "The Adirondack Museum will host its annual Monday Evening Lecture Series in July and August. The first evening is with Museum Chief Curator,..."

FOUNDER’S DAY WEEKEND RETURNS TO OGDENSBURG WITH THE HISTORIC THUNDER OF GUNS

FOUNDER’S DAY WEEKEND RETURNS TO OGDENSBURG WITH THE HISTORIC THUNDER OF GUNS

OGDENSBURG, NY July 12, 2011 -- The historic waters of the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie Rivers will witness the return of French and Indian War re-enactors to Founder’s Day Weekend in Ogdensburg July 23-24, 2011.
More than a dozen colorful re-enactment units portraying 18th-century regiments of the French and English armies, their colonial militias and Native allies are expected to establish their canvas camps on Lighthouse Point. Along the shore, nine bateau and traditional boats will mark the navy encampment.
“A reason re-enactors from Canada and the United States return every year is because the nearness of the archaeological remains of Fort de la Présentation puts them in touch with the history they treasure,” said Barbara O’Keefe, President of the Fort La Présentation Association. “Now that the fort site on Lighthouse Point has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, they should consider their enthusiastic support recognized and rewarded beyond the bounds of Ogdensburg.”
In the re-enacted battles Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the re-enactors prove their mettle. First, the boats armed with bow guns and musket men skirmish on the bay at the mouth of the Oswegatchie River. Then the conflict spreads to the Lighthouse Point battlefield when the infantry, artillery and Indian warriors clash.
“The exciting maneuvers on the river and the point, portraying the 1760 Battle of the Thousand Islands, are the most photographed part of the weekend with grey clouds of gun smoke swirling around the vivid uniforms,” said O’Keefe. “But there is something for everyone who enjoys history, from country dancing to children’s games, traditional crafts to period merchants, the ever-popular bateau race and historical talks.”
This year a collection of 18th-century maps is on display in the Ogdensburg Public Library until the end of July. Retired New York State Trooper Randy Patten, who amassed the historic maps over 30 years, will give a free public lecture about them Friday, 22 July at 5:30 PM in the library.

Wampum belts, the waterways of war and constructing an 18th-century small boat are other public presentations over the weekend.
Saturday offers a couple of activities where the public can meet the re-enactors. The Rotary Club and the Freight House Restaurant are co-sponsoring a fundraising pancake breakfast for the Fort Association at the Freight House from 7:00 AM to 10: AM. Founder’s Day opens to the public at 10:00 AM. At 7:30 PM Saturday, there is a traditional country dance with live music in the banquet room of the Freight House. The public is welcome. Admission to the dance is free.
At dusk Saturday artillery from the shore, the boats and Fort Wellington in Prescott will light up the night.
“As Fort de la Présentation was a Roman Catholic mission to the Iroquois and their allies, it is especially fitting that Bishop LaValley will conduct an early morning mass on Lighthouse Point this year,” said O’Keefe. “The public mass at 7:00 Sunday morning will be attended by re-enactors and their Indian allies.”

There is much to see and do at Founder’s Day Weekend. Visitors are encouraged to go to the Fort La Présentation Association website at www.fort1749.org where they will find the weekend schedule and a discount coupon for an adult admission. They are invited to copy the coupon and print one for each adult in their party.



For more information contact:
Barbara O’Keefe
President of the Fort La Présentation Association
315-393-3315

New York History