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Media contacts: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
For Immediate Release
Frontier Skills Weekend Featured At Fort Meigs Aug. 23-24
PERRYSBURG, Ohio – Experience life beyond the battles at the Frontier Skills Weekend at Fort Meigs. Much of a soldier’s time was spent not in fighting, but in drill, in recreation, or in fatigues (chores of the day). In fact, not all soldiers even fought in battles. Some soldiers were responsible for the care and well being of the army. The Frontier Skills Weekend at Fort Meigs on Aug. 23 and 24 will highlight the duties of these soldiers and the skills needed to survive in frontier Ohio.
See 20 different trades-people demonstrating their crafts and learn how, in 1813, the army couldn’t function without them. Blacksmiths, artists, Native American trades-people, spinners and weavers, and more will thrill the public with displays of their talent. Learn about the roles these skills played during the War of 1812 and in the daily lives of early settlers. If you thoroughly enjoy a craft, you can even take it home because the trades-people will offer their wares for sale to the public.
Soldiers and civilians dressed in clothing of the time period will provide demonstrations and hands-on activities that highlight life in the fort and Ohio’s early frontier period. Make sure to take in the pleasant aromas during the cooking demonstration using a period bake oven or get involved by churning butter in an old-fashioned churn. You can help with chores too, like washing clothes using a scrub board and homemade lye soap, or hand dipping candles. Soldiers will demonstration how to fire muskets and cannons.
Take a break and enjoy the entertainment of “Common Stock” at their Early American Theater. Local author Jim Mollenkopf will be at the visitor center on Saturday signing copies of his latest book on life in the great black swamp. With shopping, crafts, entertainment and more there is something for everyone at the Frontier Skills Weekend.
Fort Meigs is open from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days of the event. Admission to the event is adults-$8, students-$4, OHS Members- $1 and children five and under are free.
Fort Meigs, one of 58 sites operated by the Ohio Historical Society throughout the state, is one mile west of downtown Perrysburg on State Route 65. Further information is available by calling the museum at (419) 874-4121 or visiting online at www.fortmeigs.org or www.ohiohistory.org.
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