Battles & Beverages: A Historic Reenactment on Lake George

Photo courtesy Fort William Henry Museum.

The French and Indian War Society of Lake George, in partnership with the Fort William Henry Corporation and the Lake George Battlefield Alliance, has announced the return of the popular event "Battles and Beverages” on March 23, 2024. It is the first in a series of events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the opening of The Fort William Henry Museum.

Event organizers have planned a full day of activities, informative talks and exciting events.

Sutlers’ Fair: 9:30 am to 5 pm

• A Sutlers’ Fair and Reenactor Meet will take place in the Fort William Henry Conference Center, featuring sutlers, authentic crafts, and reenactor groups from all historical periods through WWII.

• It will also include tastings and sales from local craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

• According to Wikipedia (the font of all knowledge), a “Sutler” was a civilian merchant who sold provisions to an army in the field, camp, or quarters.

• Sutlers sold wares from the back of a wagon or a temporary tent, traveling with an army or to remote military outposts.

French and Indian War Reenactments: 11 am & 1 pm

• Nearby Lake George Battlefield Park will be the site for reenactments of the French and Indian War, which impacted the Adirondacks during the mid-18th century.

• Those wishing to participate as reenactors must bring their period snowshoes, should the weather require them.

• The Battlefield Visitor’s Center will also be open for viewing the depiction of the area’s famous battles.

• Event participants, guests, and spectators can then return to the Sutler Fair and Meet to warm up.

History Channel star Melanie Sawyer presents “Survival on the Frontier — Foraging in the Adirondacks” at 3 pm.

• In an exciting addition to this popular event, the French and Indian War Society at Lake George is hosting speaker Melanie Sawyer.

• Melanie is a Historical Forager and a star of Season 10 of The History Channel’s “Alone” series.

• Born and raised in England, Ms. Sawyer now lives in Essex County, NY.

• She will share her fascinating experiences living off the grid, focusing on healthy and historical foods naturally found in the Adirondacks.

• Additionally, Melanie will discuss other survival methods that the people of the Adirondacks have relied upon for centuries.

Keynote speaker Dr. Steven C. Eames: 7 pm

• “Battles & Beverages” concludes with guest speaker Dr. Steven C. Eames, a history professor, reenactor, and author of “Rustic Warriors: Warfare and the Provincial Soldier on the New England Frontier, 1689-1748”.

• Dr. Eames will speak on the topics of Culture and War, particularly concerning the early wars along the northern frontier.

• He will discuss the development of an American approach based on climate, interaction with natives, and an understanding of the specific differences between native and European approaches to war.

Stay at the Fort William Henry Hotel for the weekend.

Discounted rooms will be available at the Fort William Henry Hotel for all participants on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a 10% food discount at Fort William Henry Hotel restaurants for any reenactor and sutler in historical uniform/clothing.

More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

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