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"The historic forts built at Massac, and the scenic location on the
Ohio River in southern Illinois, are among the reasons the site was
selected to be Illinois' first state park," said Sam Flood, acting
director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "We'll
celebrate the history of what is now Fort Massac State Park with
special programs and entertainment that families and visitors of all
ages will enjoy." A brief history
Site historians report that the French government had plans to
build a fort on the Ohio River as early as 1745. Funds were not
appropriated at that time, and it was not until the beginning of the
French and Indian War (or the Seven Years War) that the first fort
was built at the site that is now Fort Massac.
In 1757, the French governor of Louisiana requested that a fort
and trading post be built at or near the mouth of the Ohio River in
what is now southern Illinois. The orders were sent to the
commandant of Fort de Chartres, the French governing outpost in the
region located near Prairie du Rocher on the Mississippi River. The
French name for what is now the Ohio River was Le Belle Riviere.
The French wanted to establish a military presence on the Ohio
River, fearful of raids on the French supply routes to Fort Duquesne
(Pittsburgh) and other posts north. The crops produced on the
fertile farm lands around Fort de Chartres were sent east to the
Ohio Country and south to New Orleans.
The wilderness outpost at what is now Fort Massac was established
to guard the interior of New France and the main artery to the
French territory. The French selected a site on a bluff 70 feet
above the river, from which river traffic would be visible day and
night.
Construction of the fort by 150 French personnel and 100 Native
American allies began on the feast day of Ascension in May 1757.
Fort De L'Ascension was completed 30 days later, on June 20, 1757.
The fort was described as a square with four bastions and a curtain
of two rows of tree trunks joined and set against a banquette,
featuring eight cannons and housing approximately 100 men.
Historical records indicated the first significant attack on the
fort occurred in November 1757. There are no records of further
attacks on Fort De L'Ascension.
It is believed that the name of Fort De L'Ascension was changed
to Fort Massiac in 1759 in honor of the French Marquis de Massiac.
In 1764, the remaining French soldiers returned to Fort de Chartres,
and Fort Massiac was abandoned. Before the British arrived in 1765,
the abandoned Fort Massiac was burned. British and American forces
later changed the pronunciation of Massiac to Massac. It was not
until 1794 that the first American fort was built on the site of the
original Fort Massiac.
The celebration
The celebration of the 250th anniversary will begin the evening
of May 18 with a presentation by Mike Wiant, the director of the
Dickson Mounds Museum, on artifacts found during excavations at Fort
Massac. On May 19, activities begin at 10 a.m. with a re-enactment
of the landing of French Marines at the Fort Massac site on the Ohio
River, below the original fort site. Activities will continue
throughout the weekend, including mock military battles at 2 p.m. on
May 19-20. On the evening of May 19, there will be a candlelight
tour of the historic fort site, with music provided by the Duffys
and Dennis Stroughmatt, featuring French Creole fiddle tunes and
ballads from old Upper Louisiana.
Sponsors of the event are the city of Metropolis Area Tourism
Commission, the Friends of Fort Massac, the Massiac Marines and Fort
Massac State Park.
Fort Massac State Park is located at 1308 East Fifth St. (U.S.
Rt. 45) in Metropolis. For more information, contact the site office
at 618-524-4712.
Schedule of activities
Friday, May 18
7-8 p.m. -- Mike Wiant, archaeologist and director of Dickson
Mounds, will speak on the French period at Fort Massac. The program
will be in the Visitor Center, hosted by the Friends of Fort Massac.
[to top of second column]
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 Saturday, May 19
10-11 a.m. -- Military canoe landing at the riverfront and
welcome and acknowledgment of military units at the original Fort De
L'Ascension
11:30 a.m. -- "The Significance of Fort De L'Ascension in the
Upper Louisiana," presented by Ken Carstens, archaeologist and
historian, professor emeritus, Murray State University (in the
Visitor Center)
1 p.m. -- Military uniform exhibit at the tent and stage
2 p.m. -- Battle re-enactment in the valley north of the historic
area
3 p.m. -- Ladies' social at the French camp, near the bake oven
4 p.m. -- Posting of guard
7 p.m. - Evening candlelight tour, starting from the tent and
stage area. A dance will start at 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, May 20
9 a.m. -- Religious service at the tent and stage
10 a.m. -- Trooping of colors
11 a.m. -- Artillery demonstration at the original fort site
1 p.m. -- French camp and British camp military drill
demonstrations
2 p.m. -- Battle re-enactment in the valley north of the historic
area.
4 p.m. -- Retiring of colors
Tent and stage schedule
Saturday, May 19
11 a.m.- noon -- Music by the Duffys, musicians of the 18th
century
Noon-1 p.m. -- Living history program by Dan Hechenberger of
Nipwaantiikaani: "A Lively Discourse on the History of the French in
the Illinois Country by La Pere Sèbastien Louis Meurin, S.J."
1- 2 p.m. -- Presentation of military uniforms
2-3 p.m. -- Magician: Clockwork Clown and Company
3-4 p.m. -- Living history program by Dan Hechenberger of
Nipwaantiikaani: "A Lively Discourse on the History of the French in
the Illinois Country by La Pere Sèbastien Louis Meurin, S.J."
4-5 p.m. -- Music by Camp Followers
7:15 p.m. -- Music by the Duffys, musicians of the 18th century
8:15 p.m. -- Music by Dennis Stroughtmatt, with French Creole
fiddle tunes and ballads from old Upper Louisiana
Sunday, May 20
9 a.m. -- Religious services
10-11 a.m. -- Music by the Duffys, musicians of the 18th century
11 a.m.-noon -- Living history program by Dan Hechenberger of
Nipwaantiikaani: "A Lively Discourse on the History of the French in
the Illinois Country by La Pere Sèbastien Louis Meurin, S.J."
Noon-1 p.m. -- Music by Dennis Stroughmatt, with French Creole
fiddle tunes and ballads from old Upper Louisiana
1-2 p.m. -- Duffys, musicians of the 18th century
2-3 p.m. -- Magician: Clockwork Clown and Company
3-4 p.m. -- Dennis Stroughtmatt, with French Creole fiddle tunes
and ballads from old Upper Louisiana
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Natural Resources news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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