Take a step back in time to the earliest days of the Georgia colony, during the 2009 Fort Frederica Living History Festival, Saturday Feb. 21 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island.
Festival activities are designed to immerse visitors into the history of Georgia's second town, the fort and the struggle for empire between Great Britain and Spain during the 18th century. Military re-enactors and other living history enthusiasts will help bring the site to life. The 2008 festival included Florida Spanish soldiers from Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine; Scottish Highlanders from Fort King George in Darien, and soldiers from Fort Frederica's volunteer regiment.
Special programs will focus on giving children a hands-on experience, including hands-on musket drills, colonial children's games, journal making and archaeology programs.
"Our activities focus on the children," says Chief Ranger Kim Coons. "The kids are recruited into the regiment and must complete a journal of their activities to get a shilling and a 'drink' in the tavern. Activities include journal-making, soldiers drill, watching the orientation film, colonial kids games and tabby making."
Other activities will include weapons firing demonstrations, guided tours of the Frederica town site and live music. Admission to the festival is free.
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Fort Frederica National Monument
The town of Frederica was founded by General Oglethorpe in 1736, three years after the founding of Savannah. Park ranger-led tours and living history programs throughout the year recall life in Georgia's second town. The park visitor center features exhibits and an orientation film, which is shown every 30 minutes. Visitor Center hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. Admission fee. For more information, call 912-638-3639 or visit them online.
Special Events at Fort Frederica National Monument
Feb. 28 - Robert Abbott's Fight for Civil Rights, 2:00 pm
March 14 - Georgia's Colonial Music Concert, 7:00 pm
March 28 - Bloody Marsh Musket Program, 2:00 pm
April 4 - Colonial Games: Cribbage, 2:00 pm
April 18 - Evening in a Colonial Tavern, 7:00 pm
May 16 - Frederica Folkways: The Life of a Soldier, 2:00 pm
May 30 - Story Time at the Fort, 10:00 am
June 6 - 18th Century Kids Games, 2:00 pm
June 20 - Frederica Folkways: The Life of a Soldier, 2:00 pm
June 22-24 - Hands-On History Camp
July 7 - Bloody Marsh Musket Program, 2:00 pm
July 28 - "A Thanksgiving for Victory," 2:00 pm
Aug 22 - Colonial Games: Farkle, a dice game, 2:00 pm
Sept 26 - Frederica Folkways: 18th-century Cooking, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Oct 24 - Bloody Marsh Musket Program, 2:00 pm
Nov 7 - Story Time at the Fort, 10:00 am
Nov 21 - Frederica Folkways: Making Tabby, 2:00 pm
Dec 12 - Gen. Oglethorpe's Birthday Celebration
Daily Ranger Programs take place at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm during June, July and August.
All programs, dates and times are subject to change. Please confirm information by calling 912-638-3639.
Image credit: National Park Service, Fort Frederica National Monument
