International speaker coming for French and Indian War Seminar
Speakers are coming from as far away as London for the 18th annual French and Indian War Seminar, hosted by the Braddock Road Preservation Association at Jumonville in North Union Township on Nov. 3-4. Lady Joan Reid is historian for the Benjamin Franklin House that opened in January, just in time for the 300th anniversary celebration of Franklin’s birth in 1706. She will appear at the French and Indian War Seminar at 8 p.m. Friday, speaking on “Benjamin Franklin in London – Colonial Agent for Pennsylvania.’
“This is the only house still standing that Franklin lived in,’ said Dr. Walter Powell of Gettysburg, president of the preservation association. “No house remains standing in the United States. He lived in the house in London for 16 years. Lady Reid and her husband were major contributors to restoring this house.’
Franklin is a significant figure in the French and Indian War. Powell noted Franklin was critical in getting wagons for the ill-fated expedition by British Gen. Edward Braddock in his attempt to drive the French from this area in 1755.
“Braddock had a low opinion of Americans generally, except for (George) Washington. But he had a high opinion of Franklin. He delivered what he promised. Braddock saw Franklin as honest, straightforward and no-nonsense,’ said Powell. “His expedition wouldn’t have gone forward without Franklin’s assistance.’
Powell called Franklin’s work in London “difficult and challenging’ as the American Revolution grew closer.
This year’s seminar is filled with intriguing speakers and subjects. In fact, Powell called it “a feast for French and Indian War enthusiasts.’
The schedule for Saturday, Nov. 4, includes Jeff Wood of Carlisle, who is vice president of the Cumberland County Historical Society, speaking on “John Armstrong and the Kittanning Raid of 1756.’
Powell noted this is the 250th anniversary of the Kittanning Raid, one of a series of French and Indian War milestones. He explained that after Braddock was defeated, the frontier was open to attack. Many settlers were killed. In retaliation, Armstrong led an expedition against the town of Kittanning, Armstrong County, an Indian stronghold where a large number of settlers were held captive.
“It’s sometimes called the Doolittle Raid of the French and Indian War,’ said Powell, referring to the 1942 U.S. aerial attack on Japan commanded by Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle that gave American spirits a lift during World War II. “Pennsylvania was on the ropes. The British army was gone. This was a desperate attempt to gain some sense of high ground. It was also retaliation because Armstrong’s brother was killed at Fort Granville in Lewistown (Pa.). It’s an interesting chapter in Pennsylvania history. The borough of Kittanning held a re-enactment in September.’
Award-winning documentary filmmakers Robert and Mary Matzen of Pittsburgh will give a sneak peak of their latest documentary called, “Pursuit of Honor: The Rise of George Washington,” at 10:15 a.m.
This is the Matzens’ third feature documentary on Washington and was recently entered into the Sundance Film Festival. Matzen also is a board member for the Braddock Road Preservation Association.
The preview will be followed at 10:45 a.m. by a lecture, called “Martha Washington,’ by best-selling author Patricia Brady of New Orleans. A leading authority on Martha Washington, Brady is the author of “Martha Washington: An American Life,’ which was published last year to critical reviews. She also appears in the Matzen film.
Joan Mancuso, another board member for Braddock Road Preservation Association, will present “Photo Perspectives on the French & Indian War Commemoration’ at 1:45 p.m. She also produced a 2007 calendar of these commemorations being sold by the Braddock Road Preservation Association that includes local events at Fort Necessity, Jumonville, Connellsville and Braddock’s Grave. The calendar will be available for sale at the seminar.
Finally, David Armour of Grove City, formerly deputy director of the Mackinac Island Park System, will speak on “Fort Michilmackinac.’
“This was one of the most important French and Indian War forts and the site of the first battle in Pontiac’s Rebellion,’ Powell said of the Michigan-based site.
For more information about the seminar, call Jumonville at 724-439-4912 or visit the Web site at www.braddockroadpa.org. Walk-in registration is permitted.