Living History Day
May 18, 2013
Living History Day is the culmination of a year-long project between Heuvelton Central School, Madrid-Waddington Central School and Ogdensburg City Schools. Seventh graders from Massena/Waddington and Ogdensburg were involved, as well as fourth and seventh students from Heuvelton. Students studied the French and Indian War throughout the year and completed projects with a focus on the role Fort de la Présentation played in this conflict.
In warm spring weather, 18th-century re-enactors and heritage interpreters demonstrated open-hearth cooking, life in the navy and army, colonial clothing, colonial lighting, timsmithing, Mohawk history and other traditional activities. Throughout the day, more than 280 students saw, touched and tasted some of what was everyday life for their ancestors. They experienced the life and color of America’s history that happened in their own backyard.
Support, financial and material, was donated by the Heuvelton Parent Teacher Association, the Heuvelton Teacher's Association, the Ogdensburg Education Association, and the Heuvelton and Ogdensburg Lions Clubs. St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES coordinated a School/Curriculum Improvement Program, allowing the three participating schools split the cost of the presenters and admission fees.
The students really enjoyed their learning experience. Here is what some of them said in thank-you notes.
"Thank you very much for coming to show us different items from our history. I thought the whole Living History Day was really fun and informal. I also appreciate you taking time out of your day to come at help teach us stuff that people did back then. I thought everyone did a very good job teaching us. I had a very fun time learning."
"At first I thought it would be really boring, but after I got there it was very interesting. I love when they showed us the clothing they would have worn back then. I’m also very thankful that you got to get an Indian man to come and talk to us. I loved that part."
"Another one I liked was the hands on toys; they were fun to play with and taught us how games were back in the day, how they used bones and corn husks because they didn’t waste anything."
"I enjoyed the presentations you were able to set up. I am sure it took a lot of work. My favorite presentations that was at the living history day field top were the Naval History set up, the tin smith, and the rope making."
"Thank you for the time that it took you to put together the Living History Day for us. I really enjoyed most of the stations. I also learned a lot there. My favorite parts of Living History Day were the rope making, the toys station, and the shooting of the cannon."
"I appreciate all of the presenters and how much work you guys put in to make this work. Although the weather didn’t cooperate, you guys put in the extra effort and made it work. Thank you for all of your effort and the work you put in. I hope this all works out in the following years when the other kids get to go to this trip."
The Fort La Présentation Association is sponsoring an essay contest to explore local history and the importance of the French and Indian War. The contest is open to students in grades 4-12. Prizes will be awarded in each of two grade levels: 4-8, and 9-12. Each grade level will be awarded three prizes as follows.
1st prize -$50.00 2nd prize -$25.00 3rd prize -$25.00
How to enter:
All entries must be submitted to the Fort La Présentation Association between May 21 and June 20, 2012. They can be mailed to:
Fort La Présentation Association
Attn: Julie Madlin
P.O. Box 1749
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
Please retain a copy for yourself, entries will not be returned. The following guidelines should be used for your entry:
- Do not put your name, grade, or school on the essay. Identifying information should only be on the submission form. This allows for impartial judging.
- Submissions should be easily read. It is strongly recommended that you type your entry.
- Adhere to the contest directions. Entries not following the directions will not be considered for prizes.
Winners will be notified by telephone and the rewards reception is scheduled for Founder’s Day Weekend. The scoring scale used by the judges is based on the New York State Standards and will reflect the scoring rubrics used for Social Studies and ELA assessments.
Go to grades 4 – 8 Guidelines, Rubrics and Entry Form.
Go to grades 9 – 12 Guidelines, Rubrics and Entry Form.
2011 Essays
2010 Essays