Fort Crevecoeur Annual
French & Indian War Event
Registration and Information for Reenactors
AUTHENTICITY STANDARDS
This document is intended to give participants some clear guidelines and instill the spirit of this immersion event. While first person impressions are not required, maintaining a historically appropriate camp environment and appearance during all hours on the grounds is expected.
Camps & Camp Gear
Acceptable tentage for the 1750 -1763 time period includes wedge, diamond, wall, marquee, lean-to, eastern woodland conical and eastern woodland domed structures. No tipis. All non-period gear must be stowed out of sight at all times, 24/7, Saturday opening through Sunday closing. The close of camp to visitors each evening does not signal happy hour with plastic bottles, Tupperware and other non-period items making their appearance. Gear in use must be 1750 - 1763 or blend appropriately. Obvious and glaring anachronisms will be brought to your attention and required to be concealed. Examples would be granite wear, oil lanterns, modern rivets and grommets, nylon or poly cordage, and modern silverware.
Clothing and Accoutrements
Must be acceptable to 1750- 1763. Participants are required to be in period attire from 9:00 a.m. Saturday until close on Sunday when on the grounds and visible by other participants or visitors. The exception is Friday arrivals who may remain in modern clothing during camp set-up.
Accoutrements and accessories must meet period authenticity. No caplock firearms. No Civil War items. No wristwatches, zippered garments, visible crew neck T-shirts, or modern undergarments. No modern footwear or jewelry. No modern makeup. No long-fringed leather garments, hairpipe chokers, or turquoise. Coonskin caps and the like: if you can’t document it, or verify the document to 1750 - 1763, please do not create a situation by wearing it.
Interpretations
Any interpretation that can be documented or justified in the areas which are now Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio 1750- 1763 are encouraged and appreciated.
This represents exploration through the end of the pre-settlement period. Prohibited are fantasy, Medieval, Caribbean Pirate, aristocrat/gentry, and Western Fur Trade.
Merchants
Prohibited items include: Any visibility of a modern table or chair. Modern tools. Battery, electric or LP flame or lighting devices. Electric fans. Steel or plastic display cases. Plastic packaging. Jewelry pinned to cardboard or plastic backers. Southwest, Mexican or Western Fur Trade items. Dream catchers, mandalas, pow-wow items. Spears. Feathers attached to items, e.g. tomahawk handles, walking sticks.
Commercially made walking sticks or stick with a hole through and leather carrying thong. Pony beads or any other modern type bead. Rain sticks. Medieval, Ren-Faire or Fantasy items. Ocarinas or bamboo flutes. Prohibited toys: Anything with plastic or rubber. No sharp edges. Wooden bows to be traditional long bow only. No cross-bows or re-curves. Wooden swords to be cutlass style. No broadswords. No neon anything. No cap or cork guns. Kentucky rifles and pistols by Parris will be allowed (if it fires caps, NO CAPS may be sold).
Miscellany
Any furs, pelts, feathers, bones, or other animal parts possessed, displayed, or offered for sale must have been legally harvested within the regulations of the Illinois Fish and Game Department and/or other governing state or federal laws. It is your responsibility to know the law.
Day Visitors / Walk-Ins
Day Visitors must comply with the same standards as the
participants who are on the grounds for the weekend. Please police your own camp if you have guests from the re-enactor community. The event will do its best to welcome walk-ins at the gate with a complimentary copy of the Authenticity Standards.
Prior to the event we will send participant information packages that include release forms, event rules, site directions, event schedule, and other relevant details.
Our Compliments!
The staff of Ft. Crevecoeur French and Indian War Reenactment thanks you for giving our visitors a memorable experience and the most accurate view possible of the Old Northwest Territory.
Click Here for information about Fort Crevecoeur
• Please pre-register by July 1st.
• There will be a set up fee $10 upon arrival.
Historical Emphasis
Personas/reenactors demonstrating any class of person, any nationality or military presence (native or European), which would have inhabited or traded in the Southern Great Lakes region of North America from 1750 – 1763.
Hunters, explorers, woods runners, or anyone else who traveled through the region during the pre-settlement era.
Interpretation of historical crafts, agriculture, common life, and trades.
Site Details
Located at Fort Crevecoeur Park: 301 Lawnridge Dr., Creve Coeur, IL, 61610.
The original site of Ft. Crevecoeur (the first European structure built in what was the Northwest Territory) cannot be determined.
Our stockade type fort was built as a monument to the original. Ft. Crevecoeur that was erected on the east side of Lake Pimetoui, (lower Lake Peoria) in the vicinity of the narrows, approximately 500 ft. from the shoreline. There wasn't a conflict between the Peoria Indians and the French at Ft. Crevecoeur. It was built as a winter shelter for LaSalle’s men. LaSalle also made an agreement with the Peorias to help defend them against the warring Iroquois.
Our area is rich with French history and an excellent place to teach the public about the French Pioneers.
Isolated locations for thematic or time-period-specific encampments.
Merchant’s Row featuring period-correct goods from retailers throughout the Midwest (subject to reenactors participating in the event).
Event Schedule
Natural lands for trekking, immersion camps, or campaign marching.
Weapons firing demonstrations, including artillery and muskets.
Opportunities for first-person interpretation in treaty councils, recruitment parties, trade scenarios, and tactical skirmishes.
Ongoing demonstrations of period crafts and interpretation of community life.
Amenities
The event sponsors will provide firewood, water, straw, ice, and port-a-johns. Event location is within five miles of shopping centers, motels, and restaurants. Park staff will ensure the grounds are clean and the event is delivered with a wonderful experience for visitors and reenactors.
