Backyard Adventures

BACKYARD ADVENTURES 2016 PIKE PUBLISHING 23 SEE MONUMENTAL ON PAGE 28 George Rogers Clark National Historical Park honors MONUMENTAL MOMENTS STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANDREA PRESTON It's true that most Tri-State residents have probably heard of the George Rogers Clark Memorial, which sits on the banks of the Wabash River in Knox County. Yet officials at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park (George Rogers Clark NHP) would venture to guess that no more than a few of those residents are even aware of the park's national historical significance. According to the National Park Service (NPS), the George Rogers Clark NHP commemorates one of the greatest feats of the American Revolution: the capture of Fort Sackville from the British by Lt. Colo - nel George Rogers Clark on Feb. 25, 1779. "The United States as we know it would not be the same without Clark's cam- paign," said the park's Superintendent, Frank W Doughman. "His campaign set-up America's expansion West. Without Clark, the Old Northwest Territory would be part of Canada." CLARK'S CAMPAIGN Following Clark's capture of British posts at Kaskaskia and Cahokia (along Missis- sippi River in Illinois), in 1778, he led his small contingent of more than 150 frontiers- men and Frenchmen "in a daunting mid- winter march of 157 miles that culminated in the surrender of British-controlled Fort Sackville," according to the NPS. The moment of the surrender in 1779 marks the birth of the United States north of the Ohio River and secured the Old Northwest and set the stage for the cre- ation of a continental nation. "It's an important story. Indiana is part of that story; a story of national significance; of national importance," Doughman said. Clark's victory had a direct impact on the shaping of the United States. From the territory indirectly secured by actions of Clark's men later came the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and the eastern portion of Minnesota. Today, the large granite Memorial - the largest national monument outside of Washington, D.C. - - is located on the site of the former British Fort Sackville. The Memorial and Visitors Center are the two main buildings on the 26 -acre national park. MEMORIAL: A NATIONAL TREASURER The idea of the Clark Memorial grew from the 150th anniversary of the American Revo- lution. President Calvin Coolidge signed into law a resolution establishing the George Rogers Clark Sesquicentennial Commission on May 23, 1928. The Clark Memorial itself was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 14, 1936. In 1940, the memorial became a unit of the Indiana Department of Conservation. In 1966 - 50 years ago this year - the U.S. Congress made the building and grounds a part of the NPS. That measure was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during a ceremony at the memorial on July 23, 1966. "It's an important story. Indiana is part of that story; a story of national significance" Doughman said. "What happened here is re- ally important piece of American history." According the NPS, the Clark Memorial is more than 80 feet high and is 90 feet across at the base. Above the 16 Doric columns is an inscription which reads: "The Conquest of the West - George Rogers Clark and The Frontiersmen of the American Revolution." In the rotunda are seven murals, each created on a single piece of Belgian linen measuring 16 x 28 feet, painted by noted American muralist Erza Winter. The murals depict Clark's campaign. VISITING Admission to the park is free. A 30 -minute movie on Clark's western campaign is offered every 1/2 hour. This film, Long Knives, is a great way to learn about Clark's exploits in the Illinois Country and is a good way to begin a visit. A six-minute audio program is provided in the Clark Memorial. This program will guide you through the seven murals and the story they represent. The visitor center offers brochures, maps, handouts, and other information about the history, the people, and other sites. Exhibits within the building explore Fort Sackville, the various cultures involved in the Clark story, and other facets of the conquest of the Northwest Territory. ANNUAL EVENT The grounds of the Clark Memorial come alive each Memorial Day weekend. The annual Spirit of Vincennes Rendez- vous returns for its 40th year to Vincennes on Saturday, May 28, and Sunday, May 29, with battle re-enactments, Colonial-era en- tertainment, demonstrations of period crafts and plenty of period food. Each Memorial Day weekend, more than 500 re-enactors converge on the grounds of In 2017, the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park will be the final national site honored with a quarter from the U.S. Mint. The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park Quarter will be released in late 2017 as part of the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program. This release will mark the 40th quarter of 56 to be released throughout the program. According to the U.S. Mint, the Amer- ica the Beautiful Quarters "capture the breathtaking beauty of America's natural landscapes that have inspired countless poets, adventurers and artists. Today, these hallowed sites are protected and are enshrined through the U.S. Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program." This series, including the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park Quarter, was authorized by Congress under the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008. It honors sites of national interest from around the United States, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. Territories. The release order for the coins is dictated by the order in which the U.S. govern- ment took direct control of the site. The Knox County attraction was transferred to the National Park Service in 1966. Frank W. Doughman, superintendent of the Vincennes park, said his staff has been providing feedback on about a dozen various design possibilities. The final design has yet to be announced and is expected sometime later this year. "Clark's story is an important story. What happened here is of national signifi - cance," he said, adding that personally he hopes the quarter will "tell the story of Clark's campaign." A ceremony and special events will be planned on and around the 2017 release date, once it's announced. MEMORIALIZED ON MONEY

• Cover