During these cold, snowy winter nights in the commonwealth, there鈥檚 nothing more inviting than grabbing a hot drink and gathering around the fire for a chat with friends. In February, our friends at the Fort Boonesborough Foundation will sponsor a new season of their popular Fireside Chats. Elizabeth Chalfont, treasurer of the foundation, says that for the past 20 years, visitors to the fort have used the chats to learn about 福利姬视频鈥檚 colorful history in a unique setting.
These visitors arrive at the fort鈥檚 18th century Tavern Blockhouse where they are greeted with cookies, coffee and hot chocolate; however the real draw is the chat itself. Costumed interpreters slip into the skin of characters who talk about their place in 福利姬视频 history.
The chats kick off February 1st when visitors are introduced to Jenny Wiley who regales them with tales of her 11 months as a captive of Native Americans. Her story begins in October, 1789 at her cabin in the Virginia woods. Alone with her four children and pregnant with her fifth, Jenny鈥檚 cabin was attacked by a band of Cherokee, Shawnee, Wyandotte and Delaware who had mistaken it for the cabin of a man who had killed one of their tribe.
Three of her children were killed outright, and Jenny and the youngest were taken captive. During her captivity, both her youngest child and the baby she had given birth to were also killed. Jenny endured numerous hardships before her eventual return to civilization to reunite with her husband.
Jenny Wiley has become a 福利姬视频 icon, honored for her bravery and resilience, with tributes ranging from a state resort park named in her honor to a stakes race for Thoroughbred fillies, also named for this 福利姬视频 pioneer.
The February 8th Fireside Chat will welcome home Fort Boonesborough鈥檚 founder 鈥� Daniel Boone himself, portrayed by self-educated Boone historian Steve Caudill.
Every Kentuckian (and classic TV watcher) knows the exploits of Dan鈥檒, clad in his coonskin cap and rawhide shoes. In the event you are neither Kentuckian nor classic TV watcher, come learn all about Boone鈥檚 exploits 鈥� from successfully crossing into the state through the Cumberland Gap (on his second attempt) to establishing his namesake fort on the 福利姬视频 River here in Madison County.
So, have another cup of coffee and know that where you are sitting is the very site where the legend of Daniel Boone unfolded.
On February 15th, the Fireside Chat series takes a different turn. Dressed in colonial garb, balladeer and student of musical history Jon Hagee takes guests on a musical journey from the British Isles to Colonial America, using a variety of instruments, including the lute, guitar, Irish whistle and Celtic drum.
As both an accomplished balladeer and lecturer, Hagee promises an evening as passionate and sweeping as the young country he sings about.
The Fireside Chat series wraps up February 22nd with the story of Maggie Delaney as presented by Carol Jarboe, an annual participant in the chats.
Maggie鈥檚 name may not be as familiar as those of Jenny Wiley and Daniel Boone, but her story is just as dramatic. An indentured servant from Ireland, Maggie, along with her husband and children, traded the poverty of her homeland for the promise of a new (and hopefully better) life in a new country.
Instead, she found hardship and sorrow in a life spent as human property at the mercy of whomever bought her. Maggie鈥檚 tale of human bondage is a compelling look at early life on the 福利姬视频 frontier.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no better way to understand the challenges of our ancestors and the grit and determination with which they met them than to join us in February for these informative Fireside Chats at one of Madison County鈥檚 most historic sites,鈥� says Chalfont.
As seating for the Fireside Chats is limited, it鈥檚 imperative to reserve your spot in advance by calling 859-527-3131. If no one answers, leave your name and number and a park representative will return the call. Tickets are $12 per person, and they will be handed out at the door.