CLHS of Wayne/Holmes to present McIntosh program

The County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes and America250 are teaming together to present a free program at 1 p.m. April 18 at the historic Shreve Presbyterian Church, 343 N. Market St., Shreve.

The program will feature John Burke, "The Portrayal of General Lachlan McIntosh."

Gen. McIntosh was a Scottish immigrant and Georgia planter who became a prominent figure in the Patriot Movement. After fatally wounding Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, in a duel, McIntosh was transferred north at the recommendation of Gen. George Washington. Washington put McIntosh in charge of the Continental Army Western Department, headquartered at Fort Pitt (present-day Pittsburgh).

McIntosh's expedition was to capture Fort Detroit. McIntosh led his troops from Fort Pitt and Fort McIntosh to the Tuscarawas River near modern-day Bolivar. In November 1778, McIntosh's troops began the construction of Fort Laurens, Ohio's only Revolutionary War fort. The fort was intended to serve as a supply depot, base and an American military outpost in the Ohio wilderness.

It was named after Henry Laurens, a friend of McIntosh and president of the Continental Congress. The fort was designed to prevent Indigenous peoples allied with the British forces from raiding American settlers in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In December, with winter worsening and provisions low, McIntosh returned to Fort Pitt, taking most of his men, leaving about 150 soldiers under Col. John Gibson to garrison the fort.

The plan failed in winter 1779. The fort was besieged by a larger force of British and Native American allies. The garrison suffered from extreme cold and starvation, forcing them to boil their moccasins for food. After weeks of fighting, the siege was lifted, but the fort was deemed strategically untenable and was ordered abandoned by August 1779.

Fort Laurens' modern site houses the remains of 21 soldiers who died on the site. A "Tomb of the Unknown Patriot" honors an unidentified soldier. The legacy is the only Revolutionary War fort built in Ohio. Today, visitors can see the fort's outline and visit a museum displaying archaeological artifacts from excavations in the 1970s, located at 11067 Fort Laurens Road, Bolivar.

Burke has been a student of Native American lore since he was in the Order of the Arrow as an Eagle Scout. He offers interpretations of more than a dozen different Native Americans and historic figures, each dressed in regalia he has made using period materials, often duplicating authentic museum pieces. Burke is a lifelong resident of Medina County and traces his ancestry back to the first pioneers in Valley City in the early 1800s.

Known for his Native American interpretations, Burke has lectured at schools, libraries, senior centers, parks, Scouts, and historical and fraternal organizations, as well as being a key participant at Medina County Parks' Pioneer in the Park Weekend each October.

Nationally, Burke portrayed Lakota Sioux War Chief Crow King in the 126th anniversary reenactment of Custer's Last Stand at the Little Bighorn in Montana in 2001. In 2009 he participated in the 250th anniversary of the siege of Fort Niagara with 3,500 British, French and Native American reenactors. In 2012 he was at the 200th anniversary reenactment of the siege of Fort Meigs.

Burke also has portrayed Capt. Wolf, a Lenapi (Delaware) Native American who lived in Medina County and was active in the War of 1812. In addition, he has participated in other national events including the Eastern Primitive and Old Northwest Rendezvous.

Burke lives in Medina Township with his wife Lisa and son Matthew and has been Medina County treasurer since 1994.

Standard presentations are about 45-55 minutes. The event is free to attend.

The County Line Historical Society of Wayne/Holmes' mission is to support and provide educational programs of historical significance, serving Shreve, Nashville, Big Prairie and Lakeville communities. Operating without any tax funding, the museum relies on donations, memberships and community support.

Parking is across North Market Street from the historic Shreve Presbyterian Church.