Walking Four Forts at the Point

Come and explore the earliest origins of Pittsburgh. During the 1750s, England and France battled over the vast interior of North America, and the key to these ambitions lay in seizing control of the Forks of the Ohio, what today we call the Point, marked. Each side rushed men and supplies into the wilderness and built ever more massive forts to claim and hold this crucial triangle of land. Join Alan Irvine and roam Point State Park to walk the actual sites of these forts. At each site, Alan will tell of the fate of the forts, re-creating the events and experiences of the French and Indian War. In the end, you will see the Point through the eyes of the people of the day, and discover how the very hills and rivers of Pittsburgh helped determine the fate of North America.

We will also look at the history of the Point from those early days up to the creation of the modern park.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Alan Irvine is a local storyteller, historian, and sociologist. He first came to Pittsburgh in 1984 and fell in love with the city and region. He tells folk tales, ghost stories, and, of course, Pittsburgh history. He started researching the French and Indian Wars and the history of the forts for a series of programs to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the war almost 20 years ago and takes great delight in bringing the history to life once more.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: 301 Liberty Avenue, downtown 15222

• This is a walking tour; less than 1.5 miles of walking; appropriate footwear is advised for walking on grass, or mud if rainy.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.