Tuesday, March 15, 2011

An Evening in Pickawillany - April 7th, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.


Join us on April 7th, 011 at 7:30 p.m. for our second annual fundraiser.  This year we kick off the new season with An Evening in Pickawillany featuing a Chautauqua Style History Alive! Presentation by William F Hunt Jr. as Sattelihu, Captain Andrew Montour.

In the early years of the 18th century, France and England began a series of savage and bloody French and Indian Wars to wrestle control of the North American continent. As both powers jockeyed for position again in the 1740’s, the focal point shifted towards the vast, fertile Ohio country. This untamed wilderness, rich in natural resources, and especially large populations of fur bearing animals, loomed west of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains. Few Englishman had journeyed into this paradise. As French interests ebbed southward towards the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, the colonies of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland, became increasingly alarmed at this French expansion onto their western borders. Wedged in between these two European powers, were the various native woodland tribes of Iroquoian and Algonquin stock. One of the most dominant was the powerful Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Also present were mixed groups of Algonquin speaking Shawnees and Delawares. By 1754, war again began to boil over on to the Ohio. French and English envoys courted alliances with the Ohio Indians. The French were masters of Indian diplomacy. For the English, only a few men could counter the French.




Fortunately for the English, a man of mixed Franco-Iroquoian heritage emerged on the scene. Andrew Montour (Sattelihu), the eldest son of a French-Canadian mother, and an Oneida war chief, was born in an obscure Seneca village, and raised as an Iroquois. A gifted linguist, Montour could speak fluently at least 10 Indian languages, as well as French and English, and was a master of complex Indian diplomacy. A skilled warrior, guide and hunter, he knew the Ohio country better than most Anglo men. As early as the 1740’s Andrew Montour conducted diplomatic missions on the Ohio on behalf of Virginia and Pennsylvania. He accompanied a various number of English diplomats and traders into hostile and unknown Ohio villages, and served as a trusted interpreter at many important Indian councils. Montour, an enigma even in his own time, also understood the European cultures. A frequent guest to the royal governors of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, Andrew Montour often appeared dressed in an odd assortment of Euro-native attire. Well respected among the Ohio tribes and beloved by the Ohio Iroquois, the French quickly feared Montour as a threat to French supremacy.

Throughout the French and Indian War and later during Pontiac’s War in 1763, Montour continued to serve English interest through diplomacy and warfare. In the words of Conrad Weiser, a Pennsylvania trader, and a diplomat of Indian Affairs, gave Andrew Montour the highest accolades of being, “Knowing, Faithful, and Prudent”.



William Hunt brings to life once again the exploits of Andrew Montour and his contributions to the English cause during this bloody and turbulent period in Colonial American history. By so doing, Mr. Hunt pays tribute to his own mixed-blood native heritage. Mr. Hunt, the former Director of the Historical Craik-Patton House in Charleston, WV, is a devoted historian of the 18th Century Colonial Frontier, and is also a historical interpreter of the same period. He has been fascinated by Andrew Montour for many years and has extensively researched to bring him into a first person, historical perspective. William has traveled to many historical locations related with Andrew Montour as he is continually researching and studying the 1700’s.

The Piqua Friends Council & the Piqua Public Library present a virtuoso performance by this veteran historic interpreter at the Fort Piqua Plaza, on the Square, William McKinley Ballroom, 308 N. Main St. Piqua OH. Also on display that evening w...ill be never before seen objects unearthed on the Pickawillany site.

Tickets are $30 for the general public and $25 for members.  Call 1.800.752.2619 or email ahite@ohiohistory.org for more information.

HYPE seeks 365 Ways to Have Fun in Miami County


If your favorite activity in Miami County is visiting the Johnston Farm & Indian Agency, HYPE  (Helping Young Professionals Emerge) wants to know! Submit your suggestions for great activities by visiting the group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hypenmv, where you will find a link to a Facebook event for 365 Things to do in Miami County. You may also link to the Facebook page by clicking on the rotating banner on www.hits1055.com Suggestions will be collected through March 26, after which members of HYPE will select their favorite 365 suggestions.

Not a fan of Facebook? You may email your ideas to hypenmvcochair@gmail.org. All submissions should be specific and include both an activity and a location, which must be in Miami County . Suggestions will be collected through March 26, after which members of HYPE will select their favorite 365 suggestions. A promotional e-flyer will be produced and made available to the public after that time, and the group will continue to promote the list through weekly blog posts on www.daytonmostmetro.com about HYPE members trying out the activities included on the list.



"So many times I've heard friends and colleagues ask what there is to do in this area," says Doug Eakin, HYPE Chair. "As a newcomer to the area three years ago, I was amazed at how much our county has to offer. It's time we talk up the great amenities we have available and start taking advantage of the ones that remain best-kept secrets."

HYPE is a group formed by young professionals for young professionals in the Northern Miami Valley . The group strives to achieve its vision through focused efforts to support social opportunity, professional development and community involvement for young professionals in the area. HYPE was established in collaboration with the Covington , Piqua , Tipp City and Troy Area Chambers of Commerce. To learn more about HYPE or to participate in this project, check out their website at www.hypenmv.org or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hypenmv.