FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andi Martin, Marketing and Public Relations Manager  

andi.martin@ahc.alabama.gov, 334-230-2680

Images available here: http://bit.ly/FortToulouseFortJackson

April 17, 2019 

French and Indian War Encampment Weekend at Fort Toulouse – Fort Jackson

(Montgomery, AL) This April, cannons will roar, and muskets will sound off for an incredible living history and reenactment event, bringing the 18^th century to vivid life in Wetumpka. The Alabama Historical Commission and Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park invite you to a weekend full of living historians, artisans, and demonstrations for the annual French & Indian War Encampment April 27-28, 2019, at Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park near Wetumpka, Alabama.

This special event focuses attention on the main protagonists of the French & Indian War – France, Britain and their American Indian allies.  Living history demonstrations of military, Indian, and civilian life will take place on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day.  Reenactors will be dressed and equipped as they appeared in North America during the middle of the eighteenth century.

"Each year the park staff looks forward to the French & Indian Encampment weekend,” said Site Director Ove Jensen. “The re-enactors come from all over the country and really bring the park to life; it gives us a chance to focus on a relatively unknown period of Alabama history, the 18th century."

Admission rates and event times vary both days. On Saturday, April 27, admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children (ages 6-18 years) with event hours from 9:00am to 4:00 pm. On Sunday, April 28, admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children (ages 6-18 years) with event hours from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Refreshments will be sold by BSA Troop 50, Venice Gelato and Dixie Snack Company on Saturday; however, there will be no refreshments available for purchase on Sunday.

This event is officially endorsed by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission.

Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson’s rich history begins more than 300 years ago. The French founded Fort Toulouse in 1717, naming it for Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, comte de Toulouse, son of King Louis XIV. The fort was established on the then-far eastern border of the Louisiana Colony as a means to counter the growing influence of the British colonies in the South. The site was referred to as Post of Alabama, a nickname that referenced the Alabama tribe of Upper Creek Indians, who like the fort, resided just at the convergence of the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Alabama Rivers.

For nearly 50 years, French Garrisons remained on site. In 1763, The Treaty of Paris signaled the end of the French and Indian War, and troops abandoned the post. Decades later, General Andrew Jackson encamped his troops on the site of Fort Toulouse during the War of 1812 and Creek War. At that time, Jackson ordered a larger fortification to be constructed near the former-French post, a fort which would be named after him in recognition of his military victories in the Creek War.

Apart from its human history, the park has also been long-recognized for its natural beauty. Naturalist William Bartram noted visiting the area in 1775, while studying native flora and fauna. Visitors today can enjoy The William Bartram Trail located within the grounds on site.

Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson was declared a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior in 1961 and was acquired by the Alabama Historical Commission in 1971. Each year, Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson welcomes more than 55,000 visitors.

To learn more about Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson, or the Alabama Historical Commission, please visit www.ahc.alabama.gov.

About the Alabama Historical Commission

Located in historic downtown Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission is the state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission to protect, preserve and interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works to accomplish its mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and promotion of state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and, statewide programs to assist people, groups, towns, and cities with local preservation activities. For a complete list of programs and properties owned and operated by the AHC, hours of operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov.