Thank you to USM for supporting me on this grant. It was a great experience and has given me a real insight into the French and Indian War that was lacking before. The conference has also given me some ideas of new things to do with my students next year.
The staff at Fort Ticonderoga treated me very nice. They had the teacher scholarship winners stand on Saturday morning in front of the 200 people there. They also had our names and schools posted on the flat screens in the conference center. They had a special dinner for us with the speakers and fort staff on Saturday night. I had access to some people who are very knowledgeable in Colonial American history. These people had many stories to share.
Saturday's agenda:
18th Century Bateaux - The boats that changed history. (This was actually Friday night). Sadly, I didn't even know what Bateaux were before this session. Very interesting. Two presenters actually built one. I sat in it.
1759 - Lost Landscapes: Tactics and Terrain at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham
Great session. The battlefield is gone - Quebec city covers most of it. Using original artworks from the time period after the battle the presenter was able to give a clearer picture of what happened in this battle and how the British used the terrain to their advantage. I am hoping this presenter from the Canadian War Museum will let go of his powerpoint and notes!
New Perspectives on Braddock's Campaign -
Presenter from the National Defense Intelligence College brought up controversial idea that the reason for Braddock's famous defeat was due to it being a Conjuctive Campaign rather than the typical land campaign. Very interesting.
Tending the Army: Charlotte Browne and the British Army's General Hospital.
Knowlegeable presenter - mainly focused on the growth of the modern field hospital but from a female's perspective.
The Battle on Snowshoes, March 1758
The presenter is a well know author, John Ross. Former editor at Smithsonian Magazine and currently American Heritage. He made this battle come alive and explained it well. He believes this battle sealed Robert Rogers becoming a hero of the French and Indian War.
My Heart is Broke - Grant's Defeat at Fort Duquesne Sept 14, 1758
Interesting presentation on why the British/Provincials were crushed just short of Fort Duquesne. Presenter from the US Army War College gave an energetic presentation on something I'd never heard of before. He talked about the mistakes and what was learned from it at the time - some of which is still with us today.
Serving Two Masters: New York City during the Seven Years' War
Personally, my favorite presentation. Since it dealt with economics of the day, I was doubly interested. Fascinating presentation of how colonial merchants continued to trade with the enemy during the war.
Another interesting presentation on something really relevant to my class. Presenter from my alma mater (The Citadel, Charleston SC) shed light on what was really happening on the frontier during this time period. Using many sources of the day, it was much different and intermingled than many would realize. I am hoping to get his powerpoint and notes as well, plus the book.
Well, that is it! Back to USM via Albany and Detroit. Here are some more pics.
Brand new state-of-the-art conference facility down in the old powder room of the fort.
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