Malvern Historical Society to host Fort Laurens program

The Malvern Historical Society will host a free public program exploring the history of Fort Laurens and its connection to eastern Ohio as part of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.

The program, History of Fort Laurens: Ohio’s Only Continental Revolutionary War Fort and Battlefield, will be presented by local historian and retired teacher Douglas Angeloni June 4 at 6 p.m. at Good Shepherd Hall at St. Francis Xavier Church, 125 S. Carrollton St., Malvern.

The presentation will examine the history of Fort Laurens, located near present-day Bolivar in Tuscarawas County. Fort Laurens was the only American Continental fort built in what is now Ohio during the Revolutionary War and was the site of military conflict during the frontier campaign.

According to organizers, the expedition leading to the construction of Fort Laurens was planned by George Washington and his staff while stationed at Valley Forge and was the only military campaign in Ohio sanctioned and financed by the Continental Congress.

Angeloni will also discuss Malvern’s connection to Revolutionary War-era history and the challenges faced by soldiers and settlers in the Ohio wilderness during the late 1700s.

In addition to the presentation, the Historical Society will hold a raffle featuring a display of American Revolution artifacts, with proceeds benefiting the Malvern Historical Society.

Angeloni has participated in archaeological excavations at Fort Laurens since 1986 and currently serves on Ohio’s America 250 Commission as co-chair of the Historic Research Committee for Fort Laurens projects.

He taught middle and high school history and social studies for 35 years at Brown Local Schools in Malvern before retiring in 2013.

Angeloni is also active with several historical and archaeological organizations, including the Ohio History Connection, Ohio Archaeological Society and Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation. He has participated in Revolutionary War living history programs through the Brigade of the American Revolution since 1984.

The program is free and open to the public.