Washington's Journey through Western Pennsylvania- Historian Richard Arthur

Acting on orders from Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie, twenty-one-year-old George Washington embarked upon a dangerous expedition north from Williamsburg, Virginia, to deliver a diplomatic message to the French - ordering them to evacuate the region.

While Washington was a young officer, just cutting his teeth (all real at the time) in the British Military, he is an inspiration towards the later settlement of Meadville and western Pennsylvania - with David Mead using Washington and Gist's notes as inspriation for settlement. According to a 1932 paper by local historian, John E. Reynolds, French Creek may have even gained its name from General George Washington!

Early Washington Historian, Richard Arthur, will discuss Washinton's Trail to Fort LeBoeuf and its impact on settlement of the region and the history of our nation as we kick off a year of America's 250th Birthday celebrations!

Light Refreshments (coffee, cookies etc) will be served.

Thank you to the Cambridge Springs Trolley Station for graciously hosting this program!

America250PA - Crawford Sponsors:

• The RDL Family Foundation
• Allegheny College
• City of Meadville
• Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Crawford County Historical Society
• Wesbury Methodist Retirement Community
• Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative
• Howard Hanna Bainbridge Kaufman Real Estate
• Channellock
• ERIEBANK
• Seton Catholic School
• Highland Bed and Breakfast

Thank you for your generosity and support of our community’s history!