31st Kalamazoo Living History Show

[Harvey Wallbanger]

Chief Pontiac’s Uprising: 1763

Theme of 31st Kalamazoo Living History Show

March 18-19, 2006

Fort Detroit Under Siege: 1763

1763 Dispatch: Fort Detroit under attack. Fort Sandusky, Fort St Joseph, Fort Miamis and Fort Michilimackinac have fallen. Chief Pontiac and 400 warriors lay siege to Fort Detroit.

Historians: Brian Leigh Dunnigan, Robert Griffing, Tim J. Todish, and Dr. Todd E. Harburn will present the following programs; Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19, 2006, at the Kalamazoo Living History Show, Kalamazoo Expo Center, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, MI, giving an insight to Pontiac’s Uprising and British fortification in the Great Lake region:

· 11:00 - "Eastern Frontier Artwork", [red](Sunday Only)[/red] Robert Griffing
· 12:20 - "Chief Pontiac’s Uprising: 1763", Tim J. Todish and Dr. Todd E. Harburn
· 1:40 - "The Big Three of 1763: Niagara, Detroit, and Michilimackinac", Brian Leigh Dunnigan
· 3:00 - "Fort Detroit Under Siege: 1763", Tim J. Todish and Dr. Todd E. Harburn

Mr. Todish and Dr. Harburn will present their new book entitled, "A Most Troublesome Situation: The British Military and the Pontiac Indian Uprising of 1763-1764", Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 12:20 p.m. Robert Griffing, nationally renowned artist, will display his 18th Century Eastern Woodland Indian artwork both days of the show. All presenters will be available throughout the show to autograph copies of their work.


Background: Pontiac’s Alliance and the Siege of Detroit

After years of uninterrupted warfare, the English won the final seven-year French and Indian War. British forces captured Montreal in 1760 and the French surrendered their holdings in North America to England. French forts in the Great Lakes and Mississippi Valley were handed over to British officers, and control of the lucrative Indian trade passed to the British merchants.

The Indian nations west of New York had generally sided with the French and many accepted English domination reluctantly, especially since they were not represented at the peace treaty. Ottawa Chief Pontiac (1720-1769) was the leading figure in a pan-tribal resistance that opposed the English, and by June 1763 had destroyed all the forts west of Pittsburgh except Detroit. From June to November 1763, superior Indian forces from across the region surrounded the outnumbered British soldiers and residents at Fort Detroit, cutting off communication and food. When, much to his disappointment, the French did not support his resistance, he withdrew. With the end of Pontiac’s Rebellion peace finally reigned in North America. This peace, however, would last only a decade until a new war, the Revolution, began a new episode in the history of the continent.


About the Show:

More than 10,000 re-enactors from the French and Indian through the Civil War, history buffs, collectors and the general public from 18 states and Canada are expected to attend the 31st annual Kalamazoo Living History Show™. The juried, nationally recognized show is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19, 2006, at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The show attracts over 270 of the finest craftsman and dealers of pre-1890 living history supplies and related crafts from throughout the United States.

The Kalamazoo Living History Show™ was created in 1976 to bring history alive and entertain as well as expose the general public to some of the most fascinating times in our history. Each year the focus of the show changes allowing various historical re-enactment groups, organizations and individuals the opportunity to host the show and share their knowledge and enthusiasm of history with all of us.

The 31st annual Kalamazoo Living History Show™ is open to the general public Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00. Children 12 years of age and under admitted free when accompanied by a parent. No strollers are allowed.


Click here for more information: www.KalamazooShow.com

FUTURE SHOW DATES
March 17-18, 2007 • March 15-16, 2008 • March 21-22, 2009


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