Celebration to be discussed
As the French and Indian War approaches its 250th anniversary, historic sites throughout the region are joining to commemorate the anniversary. As part of the preparation, the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau is hosting a meeting today with six panelists from local and statewide historic groups to discuss their plans for the celebration.
The meeting will be held today from 1-4 p.m. at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa.
The six-member panel is made up of Debbie Corll, War for Empire Consortium; Joanne Hanley, National park Service, Fort Necessity; Donna Holdorf, National Road Heritage Corridor; Sharon Klay, Christian W. Klay Winery; David Miller, Bush Run Battlefield; and Martin West, Fort Ligonier.
“This meeting will be one of the first opportunities to educate and inform attendees of the pending 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War 2004-2010. This decisive conflict helped decide the fate of America began in what is now the Laurel Highlands in 1754 and concluded its Pennsylvania phase at Pittsburgh in 1760,’ said West.
“This decisive conflict helped decide the fate of America began in what is now the Laurel Highlands in 1754 and concluded its Pennsylvania phase at Pittsburgh in 1760. The historic sites of this war are clustered in our region and include Fort Necessity, Fort Ligonier, Bushy Run and Braddock’s’ Road, as well as Fort Pitt and Braddock’s Field in Pittsburgh,” he added.
Officials said the celebration, which is to begin in 2004 and end in 2010, is expected to raise awareness of the French and Indian War by attracting visitors from all over the world, increasing tourism and travel throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania and educating visitors and residents about the rich history of the region.
For more information about the panel, contact Julie Donovan at the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at 724-238-5661, ext 18 or begin jdonovan@laurelhighlands.org jdonovan@laurelhighlands.org end
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The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau (a non-profit, membership-supported organization) is the official tourism promotion agency for the region consisting of Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania.