We are based in Winchester VA,
and so was Colonel George Washington
when designing, supervising and building
Fort Loudoun 1756-1758.
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Dr Carl Ekberg, on Board of Directors
for the French and Indian War Foundation
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The foundation was formed in 2002 to increase public awareness of the impact of the French and Indian War on colonial America and to preserve the sites, documents and artifacts associated with the conflict on the Virginia frontier.
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The first challenge involved a site originally known as Colvill’s Fort or more recently as the Thomas Marquee Springhouse, a structure believed to have been built before 1758 .
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At the foundation’s urging, the Virginia Department of Historic resources awarded a grant under its threatened sites program to conduct an archeological investigation of this threatened site. As a result of our efforts historic easements and restrictions have been placed on the site thus protecting it from being razed or altered. This property was sold in 2011.
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In 2002 the foundation acquired the property at 419 North Loudoun St. in Winchester.
This property known as the Baker-Hardy property encompasses the site of the northwest quadrant earthworks of Fort Loudoun, and contains the fort’s well, dug 103 feet through limestone at George Washington’s orders and under his supervision. The antebellum house presently situated on the property combines Neo-Grecian and Italianate architecture. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources called the site “the most historically significant site in the city”.
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Another link to the Well is Jim Moyer’s Wix Fort Loudoun website
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An informal ceremony was held directly after the closing on the property on Thursday, August 22, 2002 marking the acquisition of the land and the 150 -year-old house. The ceremony, involving state and local preservation leaders, also paid tribute to the Wayside Foundation of American History and Arts and Leo Bernstein, president of Wayside’s board, who attended the ceremony. It was The Wayside Foundation’s willingness to finance the $237,000 purchase with a loan” made acquisition of the property possible.
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Several archeological excavations at the site have revealed numerous period artifacts which include bits of glass, ceramics, musket balls, and bayonet parts as well as animal bones.
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In 2003, Bob Jolley, Virginia Historic Resources staff member supervised the dig that found a part of the north barrack’s foundation. Ongoing interpretation of the site is a Foundation focus.
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June 2013 the Fort Loudoun site was added to the Virginia Landmarks Register.
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On July 25, 2013, SUBSURFACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. put a camera down this well blasted and dug out by Washington’s men 1756-1758.
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10am September 14, 2013 Saturday was about commemorating both an audio cell phone tour and a new historical sign.
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July 2014 the Fort Loudoun site was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
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Long-range plans include rehabilitating the house for use as a museum and Foundation offices.
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A display case was created October 2014 at the Visitors Center.
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For the last ten years the Foundation has marked the anniversary of the start of construction of Fort Loudoun by a celebration known as Fort Loudoun Day.
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The Foundation also celebrates Washington’s birthday and provides an educational Program at its Fall Annual meeting. Other activities may be found throughout this Website.
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See a more detailed list of French and Indian War Foundation activities and events in the past.
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Norman Baker, on Board of Directors
of French and Indian War Foundation
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notes
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old link now gone
See the old website for the French and Indian War Foundation –
http://www.pleacher.com/fiwar/index.htm