History buffs gather for Washington’s Trail summit
PENN TWP — Past, present and future converged at the annual summit for the Washington’s Trail 1753 foundation, held at the Butler Country Club on Thursday, April 10.
History buffs from across Pennsylvania and even states further afield, gathered to learn about some of the lesser-known aspects of George Washington’s life, including his relationships with the Marquis de Lafayette and the Native American leader Guyasuta.
“Today’s theme is ‘Washington and Friends,’” said Ann Nemanic. “These are all of the people that were with George Washington during his time here in southwestern Pennsylvania.”
The Washington’s Trail 1753 foundation was founded in 2000 to commemorate George Washington’s travels through Western Pennsylvania, where he ventured on a diplomatic mission from Virginia to deliver a note to the French at Fort LeBoeuf.
Tourists can physically visit and experience the entire trail for themselves, and it runs through Butler County, including through Zelienople, Prospect, Portersville, Slippery Rock and Harrisville.
The summit opened with historian and reenactor William Schneider playing the role of Christopher Gist, an explorer and surveyor who accompanied Washington.
Presenters also held discussion on an attempt on Washington’s life while on the trail.
In 1753, during a tense encounter, an anonymous Native American fired at Washington from nearly point-blank range. Incredibly, he missed.
According to Martin O’Brien, founder of the Washington’s Trail foundation, the site of the incident is in what is now Forward Township.
“Fortunately, the Indian didn’t have very good eyesight or something,” said O’Brien. “The site where Washington was attacked is right over the road here through Brownsdale Road over to Route 68. Go about another mile and you’ll see the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) monument and the blue and gold Pennsylvania monument.”
The subject of the near-shooting of Washington came up during Doug Wood’s presentation on the complicated relationship between Washington and the Native American leader Guyasuta, which flipped between ally and adversary and back again over the years.
Visitors to the summit could also purchase and take home some merchandise. One example was a biography on the life of William Trent, an influential Pennsylvania fur trader who went on to serve under George Washington in the French and Indian War. Cherry also made a presentation during the summit.
“I belong to a living history group and that’s when I started researching William Trent.” Trent said. “I’ve been pretty much stuck ever since on how fascinating he was and who he interacted with throughout his life.”
