Friends of Fort Laurens Foundation

10/24/2026

Our last postcard features the well-known display that featured an array of historic fi****ms representing those used by American, British, and Native allied forces at Fort Laurens. Former Ohio Historical Society Curator of History, Joe Thatcher was responsible for designing many of the exhibits that have both engaged and educated generations of guests over the last 50-plus years. We can’t wait to see the new exhibit in July but until then, we’d love for you to share your memories of the old exhibit with us below!

10/23/2026

You may recognize this guy as one of two manaquins who stand sentinal near the museum’s east window facing the site where Fort Laurens once stood (the other gentleman on his left, is of a Native British ally). According to former Ohio Historical Society staffer, Dave Davis, this manaquin was modeled after another former employee who worked as OHS’s professional photographer in the 1970s. Come to think of it, he may have even taken this photo for the postcard of his “double” dressed as one of the British 8th (The King’s) Regiment of Foot!

Don’t miss this story and many others to be relayed by Mr. Davis this Saturday at 11:00am at the museum.

10/21/2026

Here’s another postcard from the early days featuring the first of many mannequins in the current Fort Laurens Museum exhibit. While he’s now joined by a couple friends (a stuffed racoon and fox), this guy has been greeting guests to the exhibit for over fifty years! And, according to Dave Davis (a former Ohio Historical Society staffer) he’s actually modeled after Doug Smith, another former OHS staff member who specialized in antique furniture!

Want to hear more behind-the-scenes stories about local OHC sites? Join Dave Davis this Saturday at 11:00am at the museum. While you’re there, say a final “goodbye” to Doug- Well, at least his mannequin look-alike anyway!

10/17/2026

Here's another old postcard showing the archaeological site excavation conducted by Dr. Richard Gramley and his team in the early 1970s. In addition to several artifacts (many of which are currently displayed in the museum), one of the biggest revelations was the discovery of the fort's location (an old site map from the mid-1800s had placed it a little too far north of its actual location).

10/15/2026

Before the museum closes for the season later this month and the old exhibit comes down for good, we thought you'd enjoy taking a closer look at a few postcards from the museum's early days. This one features an exterior shot of the museum in the 1970s. On the right is evidence of the first archeological dig. Do you notice anything else that may have changed over the past 50 years?

10/03/2026

Thank you to the staff and volunteers who helped make this year's Archaeology School Day at Fort Lauens a tremendous success.

Despite the somewhat soggy conditions, we had a great turnout, welcoming over 80 enthusiastic school kids who participated in a variety of hands on activities and were introduced to a treasure trove of artifacts unearthed right here in Tuscorawas County.

See you next year!

10/01/2026

Have you been following our recent posts or watching our YouTube videos? If so, you've probably seen the experimental "test wall" taking shape at Fort Laurens!

The Ohio History Connection recently featured the project with a short article and several additional photos that offer a closer look at this fascinating piece of hands-on historical research.

https://www.friendsoffortlaurens.org/news

Take a moment to check out the article at the link below. And if you haven't visited our YouTube channel yet, be sure to stop by and explore the videos documenting the wall's construction and the story behind it!

https://youtube.com/?si=iRMlq4oPg6-3E3aq

09/25/2026

The 13 star “Hopkinson” flag is named after Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence who is credited with its design.

The flag was created in response to a Congressional Resolution dated June 14, 1777 within which the Continental Congress recognized the need for a naval emblem. The resolution stated “that flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

The standard that represents the 8th Pennsylvania is based on a couple descriptions found in an orderly book from the 1778 expedition in which a white flag of 14 (in one entry) or 15 (in a second entry) red stripes was given to Delaware Indian allies as a sign of friendship.

09/20/2026