The French & Indian War Society is presenting a series of four Friday evening lectures throughout the month of April. The series reaches from the depths of Lake George to the Nile River, stretches back in time to the Wisconsin Glaciation and includes an appearance by the always-colorful Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin. Each lecture begins at 7 p.m. at the Fort William Henry Conference Center, 48 Canada Street in Lake George. The lectures are free and open to the public. Parking is free and the Conference Center is handicapped accessible. Refreshments will be served.
French & Indian War Society Spring Lecture Series
Friday, April 6
“Lake George’s Sunken Bateaux of 1758: A Re-examination” presented by Maritime Archaeologist Joseph W. Zarzynski.
In the fall of 1758, the British deliberately sunk their fleet on Lake George to protect them over the winter from capture by French forces. While most of the fleet was raised the following year, some boats remained on the lake’s floor to be discovered by 20th Century divers. They are now listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Zarzynski’s illustrated talk will cover the history of the sunken bateaux and recent findings.
Friday, April 13
“A Recent Visit to Ancient Egypt” presented by Archaeologist Dr. David Starbuck
Dr. Starbuck recently traveled up the Nile River and explored the Valley of the Kings and The Step Pyramid in Cairo with a group of students. He brings a discussion of this trip to the Spring Lecture Series.
Friday, April 20
“The River Before Henry” presented by Tom Lake, NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program
Tom Lake is an estuary naturalist and educator with the Department of Environmental Conservation. He will discuss the Hudson River and the societies that grew up around it before Henry Hudson’s arrival going back to North America’s most recent glacial stage. His talk will include a display of artifacts for discussion.
Friday, April 27
“Benjamin Franklin: Remembering the French and Indian War” by Paul Stillman of Historically Speaking
The Spring Lecture Series will close with Paul Stillman of Historically Speaking appearing as Ben Franklin. Historically Speaking publicist Nadine Battaglia sent us this teaser:
“Please join Benjamin Franklin and the French & Indian War Society on the evening of April 27, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. for “An Evening with Ben Franklin the Older,” a lively telling of his experiences during the French and Indian War from his perspective as 72-year-old Ben. He will share his exploits on the western frontier, tell us of the interesting people he met, and explain how he scared the Governor of Pennsylvania and even the Crown of Great Britain! And, much more . . .!
Ben will entertain us with his musical invention, the glass armonica, which he will play for us and he will take questions from the audience.
For more information about the French & Indian War Society Spring Lecture Series, call (518)964-6648 or (518)964-6647. The French & Indian War Society is a 501 (c)3 organization formed by historians, archaeologists and history enthusiasts. The Society’s mission is to support and promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of the French & Indian War. The Society encourages research, conservation and preservation for the benefit of the community.
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