Harrod 09


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Old Fort Harrod State Park

		June 13 - 14, 2009

	Photos by Jim & Kathy Cummings

What a beautiful weekend for a 235th Anniversary Celebration. The weather cooperated, the re-enactors turned out and the public came to see it. What more can you ask for, with a first time living history event.

Old Fort Harrod State Park is located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. The town proudly displays “Since 1774” on all of it’s signage celebrating the fact that James Harrod along with 31 other men first established the town on June 16th, 1774. The replica fort was opened on June 16th, 1927 and was first called Pioneer Memorial Park.


	On November 16, 1934 President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the monument to honor the first permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.


	See the Faces of Old Fort Harrod

		See a slideshow of the skirmish between the settlers of the fort and the Indians


	The ongoing events consisted of demonstrations by fort employees of candle making, soap making and tomahawk throwing. Re-enactors contributed by showing and selling their handmade wares. There was also music, butter churning and more. The fort has beautiful interpretive cabins and blockhouses.


		Saturday morning Memorial at the Pioneer Cemetery


	The people of Harrodsburg and the surrounding area settle in for a picnic, a re-enactment and a chance for children to play on the historic Osage Orange tree.




		The Fort Boonesborough Foundation sold lunch and drinks.

This 235th Anniversary Event was planned by new Park Manager David Coleman. Fort Boonesborough State Park lent time and resources to the project. Members of The Salt River Longrifles and The Painted Stone Settlers took an active part in the event.

Special thanks to all of the re-enactors who made time in their schedules to attend this first event. The Pioneer Cemetery was the site of a memorial service on Saturday morning. The Memorial Service was planned by Howard Blatch and Frank Jarboe (Parson John).

The Fort Boonesborough Foundation is a non profit foundation dedicated to helping support and fund interpretation at Fort Boonesborough State Park. The Foundation lent their time and support to Old Fort Harrod State Park for this event. Anyone interested in starting or joining a similar foundation for Old Fort Harrod State Park should contact David Coleman at Fort Harrod.


	Mark your calendars now for the 236th Anniversary Celebration June 18 - 20, 2010.



		Link to feature article about Old Fort Harrod State Park on this site.