Sept. 21, 2018
MOUNDSVILLE, W. Va. – James Tomasek, park ranger with the National Park Service at Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Farmington, Pa., will present “New Light on an Old Fort” at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018. The program, part of the Complex’s monthly lecture and film series, will begin at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
The battle at Fort Necessity took place on July 3, 1754. It was the beginning of a global confrontation between England and France known in North America as the French and Indian War, and the Seven Years’ War elsewhere in the world. The fort was constructed under the command of then British Lieutenant Colonel George Washington. It became the location of the first major event in Washington’s military career, and the only place where Washington surrendered to an enemy. This program offers new ways to interpret this historic site through archaeological excavations, expanding what is known about events at this location beyond the written record.
Tomasek has worked for the National Park Service for 27 years, where he plans, researches, develops and presents interpretive programs for diverse audiences, incorporating a variety of themes, including The French and Indian War, George Washington, The National Road, Albert Gallatin and the Jeffersonian period. He graduated in 1991 with a B.A. in political science from California University of Pennsylvania. Tomasek has previously volunteered at the Grave Creek Mound archaeology lab assisting in the processing, cleaning, accessioning and storage of artifacts (prehistoric and historic).
Operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex features one of the largest conical burial mounds built by the Adena people between 250 - 150 B.C. and ranks as one of the largest earthen mortuary mounds anywhere in the world. Exhibits and displays in the Delf Norona Museum interpret what is known about the lives of these prehistoric people and the construction of the mound. The complex also houses the West Virginia Archaeological Research and Collections Management Facility.
Admission to Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex is free. The Delf Norona Museum, located at 801 Jefferson Avenue, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Outdoor access closes at 4:30 p.m. and availability is weather permitting.
For more information about activities and programs at Grave Creek Mound, contact Andrea Keller, cultural program coordinator, at (304) 843-4128 or andrea.k.keller@wv.gov or visit www.facebook.com/gravecreekmound and www.twitter.com/gravecreekmound.
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