Preserving the Past: French & Indian War Foundation

In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is joined by guests Scott Straub and Donna Leight, who are involved with the French and Indian War Foundation (FIWF). Scott, a retired air traffic controller and board member since 2011, and Donna, a retired control systems engineer and executive board member, share insights about the foundation's history, events, and projects. Scott gives an in-depth look at the origins of the foundation and the historical significance of Fort Loudoun, including George Washington's role in its construction and the challenges faced. He highlights some of the Foundation's key activities, such as Fort Loudoun Day, George Washington's birthday events, and various reenactments. Donna details an online exhibit titled "From Surveyor to Patriot," focusing on George Washington and Fort Loudoun. She explains the educational resources available on the foundation's website, including learning activities that align with Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOLs) for different grade levels. They also discuss future projects, such as restoring the Fort Loudoun well, continuing subsurface site investigations, and plans to pay off their property loan and develop the site further. Scott highlights the upcoming event for George Washington's 293rd birthday at Winchester Brew Works, including a special presentation about Lord Fairfax's postmortem adventures. The conversation concludes with information on how listeners can support the foundation through donations, volunteering, and spreading the word about their activities and events. Learn more about their organization on their website: https://fiwf.org/ and by following them on Facebook.