Fort Loudon Historical Society invites history lovers and anyone who wants to help build a fort to join Fort Loudoun Historical Society at Community Work Day on Saturday, March 30, from 9 AM to 4 PM. Volunteers and community members, close and distant, are invited to a spring clean-up of historic Fort Loudoun.
Fort Loudoun is the site of colonial rebellion ten years before the traditionally recognized beginning of the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord. In March 1765 and May 1765, James Smith and the Black Boys captured and burned contraband supplies—those items that could be used to attack the frontiersmen and their families. The traders sought help from the British at Fort Loudoun. Each incident brought confrontation between James Smith, his Black Boys, and the British soldiers of Fort Loudoun. The British captured the Black Boys; but when the men were released, the British did not return the captured colonist’s guns—nine in all and a major point of contention to the frontiersmen.
On November 16, 1765, tensions peaked, and James Smith and the Black Boys fired on Fort Loudoun again and again. The British had little ammunition on hand, so the men were ordered not to fire. During the siege, the British soldiers only fired one return shot. After two days of attack, a surrender of the frontiersmen’s weapons was arranged, and in return, James Smith and the Black Boys ceased the attack of Fort Loudoun. The British abandoned Fort Loudoun.
Community Work Day is a great way to learn and experience the historic site of Fort Loudoun. Work includes brush removal, elimination of invasive tree species, painting, raking, and beautifying the site grounds. Fort Loudoun is an all-volunteer historical society and depends on donations of labor to function.
A lunch will be provided for all volunteers. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact: If you are Projectmanager@fortloudounpa.com.