April 7, 2022 | 9:00 am

Doors open at 8 a.m.

Speakers include * Susan Sleeper Smith * Leon Briggs * Perry Ground * Donald Pearce * Alan Fitzpatrick 

Professor Susan Sleeper-Smith will speak on the 18th Century history of Indian Women of the Ohio River Valley.  Employed in the Department of History at Michigan State University, she authored a book published in 2018 entitled “Indigenous Prosperity and American Conquest which focused on the period of 1690 through 1792.”

Perry Ground, a member of the Onondaga Nation, Turtle Clan, will dramatically deliver stories illustrating the roles and importance of women in the Iroquois Federation.  This popular and enthusiastic traditional storyteller and educator has shared other stories at previous summits hosted by Washington’s Trail 1753. 

Leon Briggs, whose native name is H oya’degay hus, “he helps always”, is an enrolled member of the Tonawanda Seneca hawk clan. An ordained spiritual leader of the American Metis Aboriginal Association, he works in traditional Arts of beading, quill and leather work; speaks on his traditional teachings in herbology, (focused native uses of plants); and works as a cultural consultant. His topic will be daily life in the 1750s among the Haudenosaunee.

Donald Pearce, Historian & 18th Century Horticulturalist, is active with the Fort LeBoeuf Historical Society and Museum in Waterford, PA, located at the most northern point of Washington’s Trail. Pearce will talk about 18th century horticulture including garrison gardening which soldiers used to augment their diet.

Alan Fitzpatrick‘s topic is “The Untold Story of the White Indians; Hundreds of Adopted and Assimilated Captives of Native American in the 18th Century Who Never Came Back.” Fitzpatrick has an extensive knowledge of 18th Century American History with a focus on the Eastern Woodland Native culture in the Ohio Country during the French and Indian Wars through the American Revolution.

In addition to these speakers, there will be reports on progress for installing WT blue/white directional logo signs along the corridor not just in western Pennsylvania, but also now including segments in Maryland and West Virginia.   Participants will hear about the significantly enhanced website for WT which includes many of the materials initially assembled for the 250th anniversary of the War for Empire (aka The French and Indian War) and also participate in a strategic planning exercise for WT1753.
 The registration fee includes a full lunch; and the day’s activities will conclude with door prize drawings, which are expected to wrap up by 4 p.m.  Several affiliated organizations will also have displays and book sales on site throughout the Summit.

Advance registration for the 2022 Summit is required.

Sponsors include Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, Butler, PA and Fort LeBoeuf Museum, Waterford, PA. A special thank you to Artist John Buxton for permission to use his artwork entitled “Right of Way”.

Should you prefer, you can register by mail and pay by check payable to Washington’s Trail 1753. Cost is $45 pp. Include your name, address, email, phone, and any affiliations with historical societies or museums, and send to Butler County Tourism and Convention Center, 310 East Grandview Avenue, Zelienople, PA 16063. Ph. 724-234-4619.