Cooksburg, PA – This weekend at Cook Forest State Park, come see what life was like during the French and Indian War!
The two-day encampment includes children’s programs, cannon and musket firing demonstrations, live tactical engagements for re-enactors, visits from nationally renowned living historians, and hands-on projects that will transport you back to the 18th century.
Dale Lutheringer from Cook Forest State Park says, although this weekend is all focused on the French and Indian War, you’re welcome to visit anytime of the year to reconnect with nature.
Most of the activities during the French and Indian War Encampment at Cook Forest State Park are free, but you might want to bring cash with you for anything extra you’d like to get.
Entrance is always free to all state parks in Pennsylvania, but there is a charge to reserve a camping spot if you want to camp overnight.
Learn more about the weekend and other activities at the Cook Forest State Park website or the Cook Forest Vacation Bureau website.
For GPS purposes, the entrance to Cook Forest State Park is at 113 River Road, Cooksburg, PA 16217.
Saturday, June 8
1000am-600pm Event Open
1000am-1100am Murph’s Blacksmithing Demonstration – by Dennis Murray: story-teller, blacksmith & Clarion County’s #1 liar, across from Sawmill Craft Market
1000am-1200pm Turkey Wingbone Call Fabrication – by Paul Stillman, living historian from Historically Speaking in the old Sawmill Classroom ($15 for materials)
1000am-400pm Cooking Demonstration – by Geoffrey Domowicz, Compagnie LeBoeuf chef, along Black Bear Trail at the main encampment site
1030pm-500pm French & Indian War Era Art & Demonstrators – meet with distinguished artists, authors, artisans, and demonstrators in the Old Sawmill Classroom
1100am-1130am Cannon & Musket Firing Demonstration – by the camp Corps of Artillery, located in the woods along Black Bear Trail across from the old Sawmill Classroom
1130am-1200pm Peril in the Forest – tactical engagement in the woods along the abandoned access road at the edge of the field beside the park swimming pool.
1200pm-300pm 18th Century Surgical Techniques – by Dave Crispen, 42nd Highland Regiment surgeon’s mate, at the NEW Sawmill Classroom
100pm-200pm ‘American’s 1st World War: Causes of the French & Indian War as Told Through the Eyes of Benjamin Franklin’ by Paul Stillman, living historian from Historically Speaking (free, but donations towards the event will be accepted)
200pm-300pm 18th Century Children’s Games – by Jen Domowicz, Compagnie LeBoeuf, along Black Bear Trail at the main encampment site
230-500pm – Powderhorn & Turkey Wingbone Call Fabrication – by Paul Stillman, living historian from Historically Speaking in the Old Sawmill Classroom ($15 for materials)
300pm-500pm Murph’s Blacksmithing Demonstration – by Dennis Murray: story-teller, blacksmith & Clarion County’s #1 liar, across from Sawmill Craft Market
330pm-400pm Cannon & Musket Firing Demonstration — by the camp Corps of Artillery, located in the woods along Black Bear Trail across from the old Sawmill Classroom
400pm-430pm Peril in the Forest – tactical engagement in the woods along Black Bear Trail across from the old Sawmill Classroom
Sunday, June 9
900am-400pm Event Open
900am-915am 18th Century Sunday Service – by the 42nd Highland Regiment, located in the main encampment site along Black Bear Trail
930am-1100am Murph’s Blacksmithing Demonstration – by Dennis Murray: story-teller, blacksmith & Clarion County’s #1 liar, across from Sawmill Craft Market
1015am-1045am Children’s Musket Drill – by camp Corps of Re-enactors, at the water tower along Black Bear Trail
1100am-200pm Powderhorn & Turkey Wingbone Call Fabrication – by Paul Stillman, living historian from Historically Speaking, in the old Sawmill Classroom ($15 for materials)
1100am-200pm French & Indian War Era Art & Demonstrators meet with distinguished artists, authors, artisans, and demonstrators in the old Sawmill Classroom
1100am-1130am Cannon & Musket Firing Demonstration – by the camp Corps of Artillery, in the woods along Black Bear Trail across from the old Sawmill Classroom
1130am-1200pm Peril in the Forest – tactical engagement in the woods along the abandoned access road at the edge of the field beside the park swimming pool.
1230pm-200pm 18th Century Surgical Techniques by Dave Crispen, 42nd Highland Regiment surgeon’s mate, at the NEW Sawmill Classroom
1230pm-200pm Murph’s Blacksmithing Demonstration – by Dennis Murray: story-teller, blacksmith & Clarion County’s #1 liar, across from Sawmill Craft Market
200pm-230pm Cannon & Musket Firing Demonstration – by the camp Corps of Artillery, in the woods along Black Bear Trail across from the old Sawmill Classroom
230pm-300pm Peril in the Forest – tactical engagement in the woods along Black Bear Trail across from the old Sawmill Classroom