Vonore, Tennessee- The Fort Loudoun State Historic Area invites you to attend the premier of the new 15-minute documentary, Fort Loudoun: Forsaken By God and Man, on June 15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fort Loudoun State Historic Area Visitor Center auditorium. This gala event will feature speakers from the Fort Loudoun Association, Tennessee State Parks, Tennessee Overhill Association and Nolichucky Pictures.
In the fall of 2004, the updated Fort Loudoun Story debuted at the visitor center. Prior to that, Fort Loudoun had shown the same audiovisual program since 1983. The parks good fortune came in the form of Buck Kahler and Chris Albrecht, who were working for the Air National Guard video unit. The video they produced for Fort Loudoun has been in constant service since 2004 and has won awards both from the Tennessee Association of Museums and the Oak Ridge Film Festival. Now the time has arrived for the next version. Nolichucky Pictures, a creative cinematic media company based in Knoxville, TN. began filming in August 2010 with Buck Kahler, Chris Albrecht, Debra Dylan and the documentary’s cast and crew of 198 volunteers, including five scholars and two educational consultants.
The new film title Fort Loudoun: Forsaken By God and Man, derives from a quote attributed to Captain Paul Demeré, commander of Fort Loudoun at the time of the surrender of the fort.
Film made possible through generous support of – Pellissippi State Community College, Humanities Tennessee, Nolichucky Pictures, East Tennessee PBS and the Fort Loudoun Association.
In early August of 2013, a 30-minute version of Fort Loudoun: Forsaken By God and Man will be broadcast on East Tennessee PBS. At that time, a DVD of the 30-minute film and a special feature about the archaeology of Fort Loudoun and the Tellico Reservoir Project will be available for retail sale.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Area is a 1,200-acre site on the location of one of the earliest British fortifications on the western frontier, built in 1756. Nearby were the principal towns of the Cherokee Nation including Tenase, namesake of our state, and Tuskegee, birthplace of Sequoyah. Today the fort and the 1794 Tellico Blockhouse overlook TVA’s Tellico Reservoir and the Appalachian Mountains and are located one mile off Highway 411 on Highway 360 in Vonore.
For more information about the park or a complete schedule of events for the 2013 Living History, please contact the Fort Loudoun State Historic Area office at (423) 884-6217.

Fort Loudoun staff are excited to have the ability to offer their award-winning educational programs to students of all ages. Participants in the program will see parts of the reconstructed fort, witness demonstrations of the soldiers’ equipment and interact with interpretive staff dressed in period attire. Teachers also have the ability to introduce students to the complex diplomatic relationships between the English and Native people of the Southeastern U.S., using the story of Fort Loudoun. Students and educators will learn about the different people who lived at the fort during its four-year existence and the life of the solider in the king’s service during the French and Indian War. To participate or for further information, visit the Skype in the Classroom website at the park’s Skype in the Classroom partner page, or contact the park at 423-884-6217, hobart.akin@tn.gov, or fortloudoun@tds.net.

Fort Loudoun Living History Schedule 2013

VONORE, Tenn. – The Garrison at Fort Loudoun State Historic Park will come back to life on Saturday, May 4th and Sunday May 5th. Free and open to the public, educational opportunities and family-friendly activities will be offered at 10 a.m. each day, ending at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

A “roll call” summoning re-enactment soldiers to their posts, just as it would have been done 250 years ago, signals the beginning of the Garrison weekend. Musket and artillery firing demonstrations will take place several times throughout the two-day event.

Park visitors will get to see an 18th century infirmary, as well as soldiers’ barracks, the commander’s quarters and a Cherokee encampment. Demonstrations will include a variety of tasks and skills common to a frontier fortification, including cooking, laundering and blacksmithing. Costumed living history re-enactors will go about their garrison duties throughout the weekend, taking time to interact with visitors.

“Garrison weekend is a fun and educational opportunity for the whole family,” said Park Manager Eric Hughey. “Demonstrations and re-enactments will transport visitors back in time to life at historic Fort Loudoun.

The Visitor Center and Museum at Fort Loudoun will be open both days. Visitors can view a short film on the history of Fort Loudoun, along with some of the artifacts recovered from the historic site. The Fort’s gift shop and bookstore will also be open for visitors to find that unique souvenir.

Fort Loudoun State Historic Area is a 1,200 acre site on the location of one of the earliest British fortifications on the western frontier, built in 1756. Nearby were the principal towns of the Cherokee Nation including Tenase, namesake of our state, and Tuskegee, birthplace of Sequoyah. Today the fort and the 1794 Tellico Blockhouse overlook TVA’s Tellico Reservoir and the Appalachian Mountains and are located one mile off Highway 411 on Highway 360 in Vonore.

For a complete schedule of Garrison Weekend events, contact the Fort Loudoun State Historic Park at 423-884-6217.