Fort Henry Days Celebrates 29 Years Of Honoring Local History
T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Mason Mutchler of Blackfork Forge gives Fort Henry Days attendees a blacksmithing demonstration.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOT AMason Mutchler of Blackfork Forge gives Fort Henry Days attendees a blacksmithing demonstration.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOT AMason Mutchler of Blackfork Forge gives Fort Henry Days attendees a blacksmithing demonstration.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Fort Henry Days celebrates its 29th annual event at Levenson Shelter inside Oglebay.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Dee & Paddy & Company band members Patrick Coughlan on left, and Pat Plunkett perform at Fort Henry Days.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Fort Henry Days celebrates its 29th annual event at Levenson Shelter inside Oglebay.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Mason Mutchler of Blackfork Forge gives Fort Henry Days attendees a blacksmithing demonstration.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOT AMason Mutchler of Blackfork Forge gives Fort Henry Days attendees a blacksmithing demonstration.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOT AMason Mutchler of Blackfork Forge gives Fort Henry Days attendees a blacksmithing demonstration.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Fort Henry Days celebrates its 29th annual event at Levenson Shelter inside Oglebay.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Dee & Paddy & Company band members Patrick Coughlan on left, and Pat Plunkett perform at Fort Henry Days.
T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Fort Henry Days celebrates its 29th annual event at Levenson Shelter inside Oglebay.
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WHEELING -- Muddy conditions couldn't stop the 29th annual Fort Henry Days from taking place at Oglebay Park during Labor Day weekend.
The annual event took place outside the Levenson Shelter, just past Oglebay's Good Zoo.
Despite the rain and mud, attendees and reenactors attended Fort Henry Days on Saturday and Sunday to experience 18th-century life on the frontier.
The event was among other activities happening in Oglebay this holiday weekend, marking the end of summer and the unofficial kickoff to fall.
Fort Henry Days director Holly Schanks said that in her 10 years of being involved with the event, she has seen it nearly double in size.
She added that because this year marks America's 250th anniversary, the event had an uptick in interest.
"The number of reenactors and the size in general of the event has doubled in the past 10 years," Schanks said.
She added that it is crucial to keep the event alive because it provides an opportunity to preserve local history.
"It’s so important to keep this tradition alive because if we don’t, we will forget, and we should never forget," Schanks said.
This year's event had an air balloon and camera obscura exhibit, showcasing 18th-century-style curiosities that were cutting-edge technology at the time.
Air balloon and camera obscura exhibit owner Jon Stealey said that although the camera obscura exhibit was operating on Sunday, the air balloon would not be operating because of the wind.
The living history encampment included a reenactment of the Revolutionary War-era battle known as the Running of Betty Zane.
According to the Revolutionary War Journal, on Sept. 12, 1782, Elizabeth Zane, 17, braved enemy fire in a solo dash over open ground to retrieve a keg of gunpowder stored in a nearby blockhouse. Her actions helped save those inside Fort Henry during an attack by Native Americans and allied Loyalists. The fort had depleted its supply of gunpowder after repelling two assaults and faced what would have been a third and final assault.
Schanks said that if it wasn't for Betty Zane's courage, she believes Fort Henry would have fallen.
The event also had vendors, whom organizers called settlers, along with demonstrations of blacksmithing, Native Village silversmithing and several living historians willing to talk with attendees about their interests.
Schanks said Fort Henry Days is a local volunteer-only group that consists of 20 members and is completely funded by donations.
She added that anyone who would like to join the organization can contact Fort Henry Days through its Facebook page.
Schanks said the event was completely free for all attendees, reenactors, volunteers, vendors and campers.
"A lot of events charge reenactors, camping fees, and the public, but we keep it free because we believe that education is important," Schanks said.
She added that anyone interested in donating to the event can message its Facebook page.