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Welcome To Fort Roberdeau

Frontier Outpost of the American Revolution 

The original Fort Roberdeau was constructed during the American Revolution. It was built to protect the workers who were trying to open a lead mine and operate a smelter in Central Pennsylvania.

The fort was built in 1778 under the direction of General Daniel Roberdeau, one of Pennsylvania's representatives to the Second Continental Congress. Also known as the Lead Mine Fort, the lead produced here was made into ammunition for the Continental Army.

The construction of the fort also helped to stabilize the frontier. It gave the farmers a secure place to flee to when British Rangers, local Tories, and their Indian allies threatened. It also provided a base for local militia units and rangers. Ordnance and other supplies intended for Bedford County were also stored at the fort.

Fort Roberdeau Historic Site and Natural Area is located near Altoona in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The rural 230-acre tract features a reconstructed Revolutionary War stockade surrounding six log cabins. It also includes an 1858 barn containing exhibits and a museum shop, an education center in an 1860 farmhouse, three nature trails, picnic facilities, and White Oak Hall, a large multipurpose facility.

 
Revolutionary War Days

July 17 & 18, 2010

Grounds and camp open 11 AM - 5 PM

Battle demonstration at 3 PM each day

Admission: Adults $5, Children $3

(For our "regulars," please note that Rev War Days are a little later this year.) 

This is the big weekend at Fort Roberdeau when the Revolutionary War comes to life.

At the gateMilitary reenactors will spend the weekend at the Fort demonstrating what it was like to be a soldier during the Rev War. Visit their camp and the barracks, see weapons demonstrations, and talk to these knowledgeable interpreters of 18th century life.

 

Peggy and tableOther aspects of 18th century life on the Pennsylvania frontier will also be on display, including fireplace cooking.

Merchants will be selling their wares, including reproductions of colonial kitchen utensils, textiles, and other goods. The Acorn Shop, the Fort's own museum shop, will also be open and is stocked with books, pottery, and many great items.

Crafts and children's games will be offered throughout the day.

 
Teacher's Workshop

Earn 7.5 Act 48 Credits

Offered through Penn State Altoona Continuing Education

July 17, 2010 (during Rev War Days)

8:30 AM - 5:00 PM at Fort Roberdeau

$99.00 (includes lunch)

Schedule

 8:30 AM     Registration opens

 9:00 AM     Revolution on the Pennsylvania Frontier

                   Robert Emerson, Executive Director, Old Fort Niagara

10:00 AM    How do we know that? Digging into Fort Roberdeau's past

                   Paula Zitzler, Archaeologist (and Penn State instructor)

11:00 AM    Hands on the past: An introduction to educational programs at Fort Roberdeau

                   Peggy Goodman, Director, Fort Roberdeau

11:30 AM    Smoked, salted, pickled and dried: Cooking on the hearth, food resources and preservation

                   Peggy Fields and Nellie Wright, Foodways Interpreters (and darn good cooks!)

Noon           Lunch, 18th-century style

 1:00 PM     The fort and field camp -- Artifacts and architecture, soldiers and sutlers (merchants)

 2:20 PM    Frontier warfare, 1778

                  Historical drama as rangers and militia re-enact the defense of Sinking Valley against Loyalists and their Indian allies

 4:00 PM    Eighteenth century English country dancing: Steps, music, and social importance of the dance

                  Corky Palmer, The Living History Foundation, Alexandria, VA

To register, go to the Penn State Altoona website, scroll down the page, and download the application.

Some of the research for this workshop was supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission whose mission is to preserve the Commonwealth's memory as a teacher and champion of its heritage for the citizens of Pennsylvania and the nation.