First off, I’m going to tell you that we lucked out timing our visit to the fort. Just as we arrived, two busloads of school children were leaving to go back home after their field trip. Don’t get me wrong—I’m all for the ‘younguns’ learning history and having field trips, but trying to see and hear anything with sixty or seventy grade schoolers would have been impossible.
So here we go on another history lesson: Prickett’s Fort was constructed back in 1774 to provide settlers a refuge from American Indian attacks. This particular fort was built at the confluence of Prickett’s Creek and the Monongahela River within 10 miles of three major American Indian trails. The Fort covers a 110 by 110 foot square and was built by the community militia. Since Captain Jacob Prickett owned the land, they named it after him. (Nice gesture.) 
Although the fort is reconstructed, it is representative of the original structures. Two-story blockhouses are set in the four corners of the 12-foot high log walls and were used by the Fort's defenders as lookouts. (You can see those in the picture at the top left--and isn't that a beautiful piece of God's country!)
Along the weathered stockade walls are 14 tiny cabins, some with earthen floors, which served as shelter for the women and children. (At upper right you can see how the rear of the cabin is situated flush with the wall of the fort.)
A meeting house and storehouse fill the common. (At left is one of the interpreters who talked and demonstrated weaving inside the meeting house.)
When the threat of American Indian uprising occurred, up to 80 families from the surrounding countryside would gather at the Fort. Referred to as "forting up," the families would stay as long as the threat existed, from days to weeks. After taking a peek in those cabins, I can tell you the conditions would have been mighty cramped!
After touring the fort and visiting with the blacksmith and one of the weavers, we visited the Prickett home. (That's his house at the right.) While the Fort was constructed in 1774, this particular home wasn’t constructed until 1859 by Captain Jacob Prickett’s great-grandson, Job Prickett. The house truly reflects the changes between the 18th and 19th centuries. Now, I’m not saying this house is someplace that has all the comforts we enjoy, but the country had truly made progress in those one hundred years.
May you find joy as you take pleasure in the comforts of home. ~Judy
I think I'm in another sphere Judy.
ReplyDeleteYour History is so completely different from ours and I just can't get enough of it.
Don't get me wrong here.
Aus has an enormous amount of history to offer too, but I guess distant fields are always greener. Probably a very good thing in my case, because what I have learned from you makes it so much easier to correlate,(if that is the correct word)when we actually visit the places. It just all falls into place,if you catch my drift.
Thanks once again "Teach." Just wish you had been my history teacher at school!:)
Glad you enjoyed the lesson, Rosie. I think you're right about the distant fields. We long to see other countries and learn their history, but home provides a great deal, too. Often, we overlook visiting those wonderful places close to home because we can always get there later--but somehow never do. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for another great history lesson, Miss Judy! I've been through West Virginia many years ago and knew it was a beautiful state, but had no idea there was so much history there. Thank you for enlightening me! Hugs, Patti Jo :)
ReplyDeleteHi Patti Jo,
ReplyDeleteI'm partial to West Virginia because of it's extreme beauty--hard to match those mountains, but I remember as a kid getting mighty car sick on those winding roads. In fact, I still can't travel some of them without having problems, but we won't go there. LOL. Glad you enjoyed learning about Prickett's Fort.
Our trip to Prickett's Fort was a special afternoon! Since I had already been a part of the school field trip experience, I especially appreciated the individual attention and private tours. It is true we often miss the history and beauty that God provides for us close to our homes.
ReplyDeleteDear Unknown, a/k/a Sister Mary Kay, (LOL) I'm so glad you suggested Prickett's Fort. I know you've been there before (several times) so I appreciated you taking it in one more time. :) We had a great day--especially since we had one of those ice cream cones afterward!
ReplyDeleteOh Judy! WHAT icecream cones???!!! NOT those HUGE ONES??!! Great for winding roads my friend.:)kneeksto
ReplyDeletePlease just disregard the strange looking letters...told you I was a whizz with the keyboard! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteFascinating post, Judy! I'm trying to envision 80 families cooped up together in an area 110 feet on each side for weeks on end. Oh, my! Seems like that would pose challenges enough on its own, even without the threat from outside.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us a look at Prickett's Fort. I just keep staring at that view of the fort with all that grass and the green hills beyond. What a gorgeous setting!
Yes, Rosie--those huge ice cream cones, but that was after we got home so no more winding roads after we got the ice cream.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Carol! I can't imagine all those people in there for weeks on end, either, but considering the consequences, maybe they 'played nice.' :)