Fort Randolph 10 Fort

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A Closer Look at Fort Randolph

May 2010: It was just a little over a year ago that arsonists wreaked havoc at the Tavern inside Fort Randolph. At the time volunteers and staff hurriedly made quick repairs to even get the fort open for this annual May re-enactment. But in the year since that incident not only was the final work done on the roof but there were a host of additional changes made to the fort. So join us for a look inside the buildings and around the fort.

This replica fort was constructed in honor of the American Revolution Bicentennial. Groundbreaking was on October 13,1973 and dedication was on October 13,1974. The fort is located at Krodel Park and is a part of the City Park system of Point Pleasant, WV.

All of the buildings now, have new signs. Probably not very 18th century but a big help in the interpretation. When visitors enter a building it gives them an immediate sense of what they will see inside. And the attention to detail was everywhere. Cornshuck dolls in a crib, eggs in a basket on a table, soldiers clothing hanging on pegs, and everything looking bright and new. Often times I think we misinterpret by making things look old. Yes, visitors are seeing what to them is over 200 years old, but if you were in that actual time period the buildings would have just been built. They would have smelled of new wood and fresh chinking. I think the folks at Fort Randolph have captured that feeling quite well. There were plants in a garden and a working well for water. My favorite of all was the Blacksmith Shop with it’s overhead bellows. (See slideshow link below.)