Events marks the anniversary of Continental Army's arrival at what would be Fort Laurens

BOLIVAR – Fort Laurens Museum will partner with the Brigade of the American Revolution to provide an event commemorating the 245th anniversary of the Continental Army's arrival to the site of Fort Laurens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18.

On Nov. 18, 1778, General Lachlan McIntosh led his Continental Army of 1,200 men across the Tuscarawas River to build a fort on its' western bank. Named for Henry Laurens, president of the colonial Continental Congress, the fort was part of a strategy to stage an attack on the British at Fort Detroit during the American Revolution.

Reenactors in period dress will march into the site of Fort Laurens just as the Continental forces did in 1778. Visitors can greet the soldiers as they march in, watch historical demonstrations and learn about 18th century weaponry, tools and practices.

Fort Laurens was an American Revolutionary War fort on a northern tributary of the Muskingum River.

Fort Laurens is Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort and includes a museum, memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Patriot and visible outline of the original fort. The site was considered a stepping stone across the West to stage an attack on the British at Fort Detroit during the American Revolution. It is managed by the Zoar Community Association. It is located in Bolivia, along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5.

For more information, call 330-874-2059 or visit www.fortlaurensmuseum.org.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Fort Lauren will commemorate the Continental Army's arrival in 1778