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CANCELLED - 2020 Pioneer Frolic

We regret that the Pioneer Frolic scheduled for June 20 and 21 has been cancelled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will hope to see you at the 2021 event!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizing committee of Waterford Heritage Days have made the difficult decision NOT to hold their annual festival in 2020 in an effort to help keep everyone safe.

With the pandemic COVID-19 situation, we are unsure whether events such as Cooks Forest and Old Fort Niagara will be occurring. However, in the event they do run, we need an accurate head count, more so now then ever. If you are planning to attend either or both, please let us know. ... See more

With a sad and heavy heart I must tell you that early this morning we lost one of our own, Mike Homza of la Compagnie Le Boeuf.

Mike was in Allegheny General Hospital for the last 10 days with heart problems. Mary called me just now and said that he slipped away at 6 am today. As soon as there are details of a service, I will send another notification.

Mike was one of the ""originals" of our French and Indian War re-enacting community. We have all laughed at his campfire stories about the early days at Fort Pitt and the "polyester corps". Mike was a friend to all and always ready to help and share his vast store of information with anyone who was puzzling over "How did they do that?" questions.

In recent years Mike and Dale Luthinger developed and ran the annual Cook Forest Event, where he happily wore his priest's robe and played Father Denis Barone, Recollect father of Fort Pitt. When you pass this sad announcement along to friends from other units, tell them Mike was the guy on the lifeguard stand in the woods at Cook Forest. I shall greatly miss "Father Mike". He and Mary were always the very best of friends to us.

Please say a short prayer for Mike - and follow it up with a shared funny story about him. He so loved a good laugh.

As soon as there are any details of arrangements, I will tell you. Mary sends love to you all, but has requested no telephone calls or texts just now. She is resting and must not be disturbed for a while. ... See more

LAST CALL to pay your 2020 dues and to make any contributions to the Richard Ropp Memorial Fund. If you are unsure of your status, please contact the treasurer. THANK YOU!

“Ft. Niagara, the Key to the Oceans and the French Movement to Dominate North America”, by William Edward Utley and Patricia Kay Scott.
I saw this for sale at Ft. Niagara but bought it on Amazon for a slightly better price. The book is co-written by an amateur historian and a professional archaeologist. This is, in this case, an effective mix of academic disciplines. The book is divided into three parts. The first part addresses the origins of the 16th century fur trade in New France, Iroquois control of the region, as well as French expansion of the fur trade in the 17th century. The second part addresses French activity in the region during the 17th century. The third part addresses events of the 18th century, culminating with the siege of 1759. The maps, photographs, diagrams and bibliography are superb and support the narrative. One particularly interesting diagram depicts the 195 feet of erosion that has occurred since the construction of the French Castle in 1726. The French Castle was the first and is the only remaining man-made feature that dates to the establishment of Ft. Niagara. It is virtually unchanged since its construction. The only thing this book lacks, in my view, are photographs and technical drawings of the archaeological assemblage of artifacts that have been found on the site. It is perhaps not surprising that I would have appreciated that. I recommend this book without reservation. ... See more

The following is a book review I have been meaning to post. Enjoy!

"Ft. Niagara, the Key to the Oceans and the French Movement to Dominate North America" by William Edward Utley and Patricia Kay Scott.

I saw this for sale at Ft. Niagara but bought it on Amazon for a slightly better price. The book is co-written by an amateur historian and a professional archaeologist. This is, in this case, an effective mix of academic disciplines. The book is divided into three parts. The first part addresses the origins of the 16th century fur trade in New France, Iroquois control of the region, as well as French expansion of the fur trade in the 17th century. The second part addresses French activity in the region during the 17th century. The third part addresses events of the 18th century, culminating with the siege of 1759. The maps, photographs, diagrams and bibliography are superb and support the narrative. One particularly interesting diagram depicts the 195 feet of erosion that has occurred since the construction of the French Castle in 1726. The French Castle was the first, and is the only remaining man-made feature that dates to the establishment of Ft. Niagara. It is virtually unchanged since its construction. The only thing this book lacks, in my view, are photographs and technical drawings of the archaeological assemblage of artifacts that have been found on the site. It is perhaps not surprising that I would have appreciated that. I recommend this book without reservation. ... See more