Les Amis du Fort de Chartres

Directions Website Contact the organization

Les Amis du Fort de Chartres Les Amis meets on a monthly basis.

Les Amis du Fort de Chartres, “Friends of Fort de Chartres,” is a not-for-profit organization made up of volunteers striving to preserve, protect, and interpret the physical structural and cultural heritage of Fort de Chartres in the 1700s. Les Amis du Fort de Chartres "Friends of Fort de Chartres" is a not for profit organization made up of volunteers striving to preserve, protect, and interpret the physical structural and cultural heritage of Fort de Chartres in the 1700s. Membership for Les Amis is open to all and encourages volunteering at Fort de Chartres State Historic Site or to support of the organization’s activities at the Fort. Beginning March 2016, Les Amis began publishing a quarterly newspaper announcing current fort events and activities-Gazette de Les Amis du Fort de Chartres. Some of the recent past projects accomplished by Les Amis: sponsoring a monthly series of demonstrations-Art de vivre, helping to repair the site’s bread oven, supporting the Fort de Chartres Jardin Potager by purchasing heirloom seeds and trees, volunteering at Kid’s day, assisting at event registrations, helping maintain the Fort library, making the fort a stop on the Prairie du Rocher Chamber Garden and Christmas tours. Les Amis du Fort de Chartres looks forward to continuing the tradition of local community support and involvement at our unique state historic site, Fort de Chartres.

A true collector’s piece for Fort de Chartres fans. Our handmade mug showcases Tom Wilcockson’s exclusive aerial illustr...
10/16/2026

A true collector’s piece for Fort de Chartres fans. Our handmade mug showcases Tom Wilcockson’s exclusive aerial illustration of the fort as it appeared in the 1700s — a little bit of history you can hold in your hands. Collect them all.

Shop directly from our website and get it shipped directly to your door
or visit us in person at The Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop , located on-site at the Fort de Chartres State Historic Site It is open every second weekend of the month and during the upcoming Winter Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres November 7th & 8th, 2026.

The Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop is owned and operated by Les Amis du Fort de Chartres. Every purchase directly supports our mission to preserve, protect, and interpret the physical, structural, and cultural heritage of Fort de Chartres in the 1700s.

New t-shirt alert!!!Our new burnt‑orange tee is here, featuring Tom Wilcockson’s exclusive illustration of the Fort de C...
10/14/2026

New t-shirt alert!!!
Our new burnt‑orange tee is here, featuring Tom Wilcockson’s exclusive illustration of the Fort de Chartres French Marines drilling on the parade grounds. Bold color, historic artistry, and a design you won’t find anywhere else.

Shop directly from our website and get it shipped directly to your door
or visit us in person at The Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop , located on-site at the Fort de Chartres State Historic Site It is open every second weekend of the month.

The Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop is owned and operated by Les Amis du Fort de Chartres. Every purchase directly supports our mission to preserve, protect, and interpret the physical, structural, and cultural heritage of Fort de Chartres in the 1700s.

Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop Featured ArtisanCarl Handel Bio:Born and raised in the northeast corner of Illin...
10/12/2026

Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop Featured Artisan
Carl Handel

Bio:
Born and raised in the northeast corner of Illinois near the Mississippi River I spent plenty of time learning to fish, hunt and gain an appreciation for the outdoors. This is also where I made my first encounter with muzzleloading fi****ms via a CVA percussion Kentucky r***e kit. Attending college and gaining employment stalled my interest in the black powder sport until finding a local muzzleloading club near where I lived. This led me and my family to join le malice de St. Phillips as stationed at Fort de Chartres.Eventually I tried my hand at making powder horns and shooting bags, which I have done for 18 years. My work focuses primarily on plain working mans powder horn to fully engraved horns in the style dating from 1740 through 1770. My work is made to represent that made by an individual for his own use or as commissioned to a friend that has artistic talent. Much of my work is patterned after original makers such as John Bush, Jacob Gay, the J.W. Carver and other provincials of the French and Indian War/ Lake George Style

Shop directly from our website
or visit us in person at The Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop , located on-site at the Fort de Chartres State Historic Site It is open every second weekend of the month.

The Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop is owned and operated by Les Amis du Fort de Chartres. Every purchase directly supports our mission to preserve, protect, and interpret the physical, structural, and cultural heritage of Fort de Chartres in the 1700s.

A huge thank‑you to Les Coureur des Bois du Fort de Chartres for putting on the Runners of the Woods: 18th Century Actio...
10/11/2026

A huge thank‑you to Les Coureur des Bois du Fort de Chartres for putting on the Runners of the Woods: 18th Century Action Event yesterday. And thank you to everyone who came out to learn, ask questions, and enjoy some 18th‑century muzzleloading history.
Don’t forget — the group hosts their monthly shoot at Fort de Chartres every second Sunday, and they love chatting with visitors.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Deborah Sallman, who is retiring from her position as Treasurer with Le...
10/09/2026

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Deborah Sallman, who is retiring from her position as Treasurer with Les Amis du Fort de Chartres. Deb has been with us since we reformed the organization in 2015, and her dedication has been nothing short of extraordinary.

In addition to her many responsibilities as Treasurer, Deb devoted countless hours volunteering for the organization and serving on the event committee. Her willingness to step in wherever needed and her steady commitment have been truly invaluable.

Thank you, Deb, for everything you have done for us over the past 11 years. Your service, generosity, and heart have made a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful.

Reminder!You are invited to the LAdFdC Monthly Member Meeting via Zoom Thursday evening, October 8 at 6 pm and the LAdFd...
10/08/2026

Reminder!
You are invited to the LAdFdC Monthly Member Meeting via Zoom Thursday evening, October 8 at 6 pm and the LAdFdC Event Committee Meeting at 6:45 pm. Learn more about the latest news at Fort de Chartres, our organization's efforts to support the Fort de Chartres State Historic Site, our events and workshops, and the related upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Email [email protected] for the meeting zoom link. Please join us!

Upcoming LAdFdC sponsored fall events at Fort de Chartres:
○ October 10th, 10am-4 pm Runners of the Woods: 18th Century Fi****ms in Action Event
○ November 5th, Education Day at Fort de Chartres
○ November 7th & 8th Annual FdC Winter Rendezvous
○ December 12th, 10 am-4 pm Cooking Demo
○ December 31st, 7 pm-9 pm La la Guiannée at Fort de Chartres

Les Amis du Fort de Chartres never takes for granted all the support we receive throughout the year. If you would like to become a LAdFdC member, join online at https://fortdechartres.net/les-amis-du-fort-de-chartres/. Merci!

Photo MF, Fall 2024

Heart of Illinois Country Harvest Featured ArtisanIllinois Country Harvest Illinois Country Harvest is a sustainable her...
10/07/2026

Heart of Illinois Country Harvest Featured Artisan
Illinois Country Harvest

Illinois Country Harvest is a sustainable heritage farm and gardens located near Prairie du Rocher, Illinois.

Owned and operated by Jason and Jennifer Duensing, the farm embraces time-honored traditions and prides itself on doing things the old-fashioned way.

Shop directly from our website
or visit us in person at The Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop , located on-site at the Fort de Chartres State Historic Site It is open every second weekend of the month.

The Heart of Illinois Country Heritage Shop is owned and operated by Les Amis du Fort de Chartres. Every purchase directly supports our mission to preserve, protect, and interpret the physical, structural, and cultural heritage of Fort de Chartres in the 1700s.

Address

1350 IL-155
Prairie Du Rocher, IL
62277

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Les Amis du Fort de Chartres posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Les Amis du Fort de Chartres:

Shortcuts

Share