Dubois County Historical Society Celebrates America’s 250th with “A Revolutionary Rendezvous” on April 10-12

Written By: Kathy Tretter, Dubois County Historical Society

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ferdinand, IN – Can you say Semiquincentennial? Or Bisesquicentennial?

If not don’t feel bad — they are tongue twisters. According to the Cambridge Dictionary both words were coined to mean the day or year that is 250 years after a particular event, especially the independence of a country or the founding (bringing into existence) of a place.

So why the English lesson?

Because the United States of America is celebrating its creation 250 years ago as an independent nation (as if you didn’t already know).

Now how about a history lesson? Make that a living history lesson!

In honor of our 250th birthday, the Dubois County Historical Society is hosting “Dubois 2026: A Revolutionary Rendezvous, Circa 1776” at the Ferdinand State Forest from Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12.

This three-day event will offer an opportunity for young and old alike to step back in time and explore the era of the American Revolution through demonstrations, historical interpretation, and interactive experiences.

And BONUS — there is no charge for admission to the event, nor to the State Forest. It’s the society’s gift to Hoosiers, along with the sponsors and granters who made this event possible.

Here’s just a bit of what you can expect to experience:

• Battlefield re-enactors will present tactical and weapons demonstrations so visitors can see what warfare was like when muskets, flintlocks and bayonets were the weapons of choice.
• When not skirmishing the soldiers will be happy to share stories on what it was like to fight for this country’s independence from oppression.
• A First Nation group of Native Americans will also be on hand. While most Native communities tried to remain neutral in the fighting between the Crown and its colonists, as the war continued many of them had to make difficult decisions about how and when to support one side or the other.
• Meet an undertaker, a jerky maker and a man cooking moonshine in a still.
• Then check out the blacksmiths, stone carvers, shingle makers, log hewers, rail splitters, metalsmiths (pewter and brass), coppersmith and tinsmith.
• See how the women frail wheat while the men use a bucksaw to cut firewood. Learn how the corn was shelled and the burr mill works.
• Get up close and personal with piglets and sheep, and see how they were sheared, then watch as the wool is spun into yarn, after which you can catch a weaver creating fabric.
• The kids will have an opportunity to make cornhusk dolls, paint wooden toys, engage in other creative watercolor activities and play games that children enjoyed 250 years ago.
• Visit a pioneer encampment and learn about the tools early settlers would have used to create brand new communities in the wilderness.
• Hear tales of long ago from interpretive naturalists who will enthrall guests with what it was like to live in a technical-free (and for that matter toilet paper-free) world.
• Enjoy musical entertainment from the Merry Hearts just as your ancestors would done have at the end of a long day.
• Food of a more contemporary nature will be available for purchase, with the Ferdinand American Legion Auxiliary baking delicious sweet rolls and Boy Scout Troop 186 providing burgers and hotdogs.
• Some vendors will be selling their wares just as they would have when this land was still a territory (but probably not for the same prices).

Hours are Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (all times are listed in Eastern).

Schools from throughout Dubois County will attend on Friday, but visitors are welcome as well.

The encampment will be located on the east end of the main road through the Ferdinand State Forest. The Forest itself is located at the conclusion of State Road 264 (the Ferdinand Forest Road) where it connects with CR 600 E.

The Dubois County Historical Society invites everyone, young and old, to take part in this special celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial, Bisesquicentennial or 250th birthday party. Come one day or all three.

And now a word about the sponsors.

The Dubois County Community Foundation kicked things off with a significant grant, as did Visit Dubois County.

Financial sponsors include Jasper Engines, Uebelhor Motors, Universal Design Associates, Farbest Foods, Seufert Construction and German American Bank, with Prairie Farms contributing ice cream treats for the students.

The Vincennes Rendezvous committee has been invaluable in providing expertise, as well as tents, costuming, manpower and benches.

The Early Days Antique Club will also provide extensive support and manpower, as well as a meal for reenactors and popcorn for everyone.

The Dubois County Veterans Council is also assisting.

For more information on the formation of this event and through a collaboration with Visit Dubois County, Matthew Crane wrote this featured article: History Comes Alive at Revolutionary Rendezvous(https://visitduboiscounty.com/history-comes-alive-at-revolutionary-rendezvous/)