Staying in Step with George

 History comes alive during February as Vincennes University’s Blazer 91.1 in partnership with Rivet High School and the George Rogers Clark Historical Park airs “Staying in Step with George”.

Twice each day ( Monday through Friday at 7:40am and 11:20am eastern) WVUB will air a 2 minute program featuring students from Rivet reading excerpts, some direct from journals and diaries kept by those involved, about the daily happenings during Clark’s historic march in February of 1779.

            Click here to listen to the daily podcast

In addition to the daily on-air tribute, the George Rogers Clark Historical Park will also be hosting special events throughout the month.  The events are listed below and there is more at http://www.nps.gov/gero

Saturday, February 18th will mark the annual retracing of the famous 1779 midwinter march conducted by Col. George Rogers Clark and his soldiers. The event, which is known as the Clark March, will have participants trekking (as closely as possible) the final 4.5 miles of the original route used by Clark’s army to reach Vincennes in their effort to capture British Fort Sackville.  Those attending the Feb. 18th event should arrive for registration beginning at 9 a.m. at the Clark Visitor Center at 401 S. Second Street in Vincennes. Buses will depart the visitor center at 10 a.m. and will travel S. Sixth Street Road to a point near the original Sugar Camp of 1779. From there, the group will walk public roads which closely parallel Clark’s actual route into Vincennes. Frequent stops wil be made to observe and to discuss the landscape as it compares to the same view Clark’s men would have seen 233 years ago. Eighteenth century clothing may be worn by walkers if desired, but is not required. You may register by calling Ranger Frank Doughman at 812-882-1776 ext. 204.

A ceremony honoring Col. George Rogers Clark’s capture of British Fort Sackville is scheduled for 11am Saturday, February 25th at the Clark Memorial on the grounds of the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park at 401 S. Second Street in Vincennes. Planned activities include the presentation of a proclamation by Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum and remarks by keynote speaker Dr. Frank Nickell, associate professor of history and director of the Center for Regional History and Cultural Heritage at Southeast Missouri State University.

A luncheon, sponsored by the Vincennes Historical and Antiquarian Society, will follow at Green Auditorium on the Vincennes University Campus. Reservations for the meal may be made by contacting Dennis Latta at 812-726-5333. The cost of the luncheon is $12.