X

Founder's Weekend in Ogdensburg to include battle re-enactment, 65-foot schooner, demonstrations

Posted 7/17/14

By MATT LINDSEY OGDENSBURG -- Water and land battle re-enactments, a replica 65-foot schooner and demonstrations will be held July 19-20 at Van Rensselaer Point, State Highway 68, during Founder’s …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Founder's Weekend in Ogdensburg to include battle re-enactment, 65-foot schooner, demonstrations

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY

OGDENSBURG -- Water and land battle re-enactments, a replica 65-foot schooner and demonstrations will be held July 19-20 at Van Rensselaer Point, State Highway 68, during Founder’s Day weekend.

The schooner La Revenante is a 30-ton replica of an 18th Century New England “pinky” schooner.

“The schooner is a replica of a survey vessel used by James Cook, which was also built in Massachusetts, according to Ellen Nesbit, a marketing volunteer for Founder’s Day weekend.

The vessel was built by hand over 12 years in Massachusetts by Leonard Nelson, a tugboat captain from Boston.

Admission onto the boat is free with paid admission to the event. “Adult entry is $7, kids 6 years old and up cost $2 and children under age 6 get in free,” Nesbitt said.

The costumed crew and themed design and fixtures provide add to the experience for visitors to the vessel.

The commemoration of the 1760 Battle of the Thousand Islands commemorates the French and Indian War when the St. Lawrence River and Fort de la Présentation were battle zones. The battle was the last of the French and Indian War.

Military and civilian re-enactors from all over the United States and Canada will raise canvas-tent communities with English and French soldiers patrolling their sections, women will recreate the domestic scene and crafts and trades will be in full swing.

Ogdensburg native and famous actor Mark Valley will also participate in the re-enactment, according to Nesbitt.

Keeping with tradition, skirmishes pop up throughout the day with morning clashes on the river and afternoon battles on land. The fist battle on Saturday begins with a water battle at 11 a.m.

“Bleachers have been added to improve the view of the land battles and a narrator provides a historical background of what was going on during those times,” Nesbitt said.

Narrator Jack Frost is a member of several historic societies and has narrated Founder’s Weekend's land and sea battles since 2009. Frost will also have a display of historically and architecturally correct models of 18th-century military fortifications.

Land battles are set for 1:30 p.m. both days.

Visitors can expect to see many 18th-century daily activities from the preparation of meals, medical care and blacksmithing and music.

“Women will be dressed according to the time period and their will be a Colonial Trade Fair offering baskets, wooden toys and utensils from the past,” Nesbit said.

Children can muster into the army, make rope and work with leather.

“Kids can learn how to march, learn commands and handle a mock rifle,” Nesbitt said.

Balladeer Linda Russell will lead the audience on a historic journey through musical performances of period songs punctuated with anecdotes and facts from primary sources. Russell is recognized as an expert in historical interpretation. She has interpreted history through music for 16 years as a National Park Service balladeer at Federal Hall National Memorial in New York City.

Hear women of the Akwesasne Choir sing traditional hymns in the Mohawk language at the outdoor Sunday mass. In case of inclement weather, mass will be held at Notre Dame Church, 125 Ford Ave.

Demonstrations, exhibitions and stories will be shared about period trades basket and barrel making, tools and weapons, tin items, quilts and clothing.

“Richard Salazar will be there dressed in Iroquois attire sharing songs, tales and myths of the Iroquois,” Nesbitt said.

Salazar, a Native American historian is a historical re-enactor of the Native peoples for various time periods.

Jack Vargo the author of “The Spike Tomahawk” will explain the spike tomahawk a popular tool and weapon in colonial North America He is recognized as the producer of museum quality reproductions of 17th and 18th-century tools and personal items.

Entry will be free on Sunday for kids 12 and under as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

“The event usually draws around 1,000 visitors depending on the weather. There will be a lot going on and we hope for a good turnout,” Nesbitt said.

The full weekend schedule follows:

Saturday, July 19

• 10 a.m. gates open.

• 11 a.m. Water battle begins

• 11:30 a.m. Children’s muster

• Noon 18th-Century music historical and timeless tales with Linda Russell

• 12:30 p.m. 18th-Century fishing on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River with Brian McDonald

• 1 p.m. Synopsis of the French and Indian War with Jack Frost

• 1:30 p.m. Land battle begins

• 2:30 p.m. Children`s muster

• 3 p.m. Native American culture with Rick Salazar

• 4 p.m. Book signing “The Spike Tomahawk” with Jack Vargo

• 4 p.m. English country dance demo

• 4:30 p.m. Life at Sea in the 18th Century with Sarah O Connor

• 5 p.m. Gates close

Colonial trades, camp life, drills, demonstrations and exhibits and a scavenger hunt will be held throughout the day.

Sunday, July 20

• 7:30 a.m. Mass, with Akwesasne Choir, bring a chair, on-site parking for the service. Rain location is Notre Dame Church, 125 Ford St.

• 10 a.m. Gates open

• 11 a.m. Water battle begins

• 11:30 a.m. Children’s muster

• Noon 18th-Century music with Linda Russell

• 12:30 p.m. Native American culture with Rick Salazar

• 1 p.m. Synopsis of the French and Indian War with Jack Frost

• 1:30 p.m. Land battle

• 2:30 p.m. Gates close

Colonial trades, camp life, drills, demonstrations and exhibits and a scavenger hunt will be held throughout the day.