Ohio's only American Revolutionary War fort: Fort Laurens

The Ohio Department of Education proposes to eliminate American history, the American Revolutionary War, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence from Ohio's fifth grade social studies cirriculum. Will focus on Latin and South America.

"FORT LAURENS, THE BEGINNING"

The Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation commissioned the production of a limited edition, artist signed and number print, "Fort Laurens, The Beginning" in 1996. Proceeds from the sale of the print will assist the Foundation in raising private contributions for the eventual rebuilding of Ohio's only Revolutionary War fort.

The print captures the spirit of the Continental Army's arrival on the bank's of the Tuscarawas River just prior to the construction of Fort Laurens in November 1778.

The Fort Laurens print was designed and produced by Serigraphics of Indianapolis, Indiana. The print uses 8 colors to create the image of the newly arrived soldiers and their Delaware Indian guides scouting a location for the construction of the fort.

Hand separated and created only for this serigraph, artist Jeff Pate, did extensive research to accurately depict the dress, time of year and probable participants of this historic event.

Serigraphics has been producing fine art for 20 years by the silk screening process, or serigraphy. It is an ancient method of printing where, for each color in the image, a stencil is applied to stretched fabric and each color is applied with a squeegee through the fabric onto the paper beneath. It is a labor intensive process that leads to a very long lasting print and is an accepted fine art medium.

Prints are available from the Foundation at a cost of $34.99 plus applicable sales tax ( .06% OH residents only) and shipping/handling ($4). Send a check or money order to Ft. Laurens The Beginning, C/O Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation, P.O. Box 272, Bolivar, OH 44612.