2018 Trail of Courage Living History Festival
The 43rd Annual Trail of Courage Living History Festival will be held September 15-16, 2018 at the Fulton County Museum in Rochester, Indiana. Step back in time at this Pre-1840 period event. Foods cooked over wood fires, muzzleloading contests, teepees & wigwams, travois dogs, historic crafts, canoe rides, hawk throws, pre-1840 trading, Indian Dances (2pm – 3 pm). Historic programs on two stages include: Bagpipes, Fife & Drum Corps, Aztec Dancers, Frontier Dances & Music, Voyaguer Songs, and Ben Franklin. Absolutely fun for all! Friday is School Day; Saturday and Sunday are Public Days.
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Trail of Courage Living History Festival
Whether you are a presenter to groups of students or are here visit with other participants and just enjoy the day, you will find the Trail of Courage Living History Festival fun and educational. No set-ups will be allowed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. because of the schools. This must be strictly enforced due to the presence of school-age children for insurance purposes.
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE of the Trail of Courage Living History Festival is to educate the public, and to preserve and promote an accurate picture of life in frontier Indiana, as well as other areas and time periods of North American history, including the French & Indian War, voyageurs, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Woodlands and Plains Indians, Western Fur Trade and Frontier Indiana. Authenticity in dress and camp or set-up is required for participation. Please make your camp, your clothing, your trade goods, and everything you bring as authentic as you possibly can. It will be appreciated, and many will be rewarded with recognition and praise.
Trail of Courage Living History Festival Hours
Friday – School Tour Day
Saturday – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
GENERAL ADMISSION:
Visiting public: Adult $7
Children 6-11 $3
Children 5 & under free
No Pets, except approved service animals.
LOCATION:
Fulton County Historical Society
Rochester, IN
4 miles north of Rochester, Indiana, on west side of New U.S. 3l and north side of Tippecanoe River. Entrance is off of county road 375N by Fulton County Museum, Round Barn Museum, and Living History Village.
THE TRAIL PROVIDES:
- An educational experience for nearly 2,000 participants and 12,000 – 18,000 visitors and growing every year!
- Trail of Courage Living History Festival grounds including 10 acres of woods, 25 acres of parking.
- Fire and first aid service, 24 hour limited security.
- Free camping for participants, free firewood, water, showers, privies and porta-pots including handicapped facilities.
- Primitive wooden booths for booth traders, craftsmen, food purveyors.
- Historic programs on the Chippeway Village stage in the woods, Hillside Amphitheater stage and special Indian Dance Arena.
- Primitive shooting range and hawk range in a shady wooded area.
- Historic foods, including breakfast, offered for sale.
- Free Fulton County Museum, Round Barn Museum, Living History Village at north end of grounds.
- Approximately $500 worth of prizes awarded to shooters, hawk & knife throw winners, most authentic craft, trader, camp, etc.
- The Sentinel Cup for most authentic (category to be announced).
- Meet other re-enactors, crafts people, American Indians, public.
- Exchange ideas, get jobs or find information on other events.
- Learn the true history of American Indians & their genealogy from descendants of those who were here in 1830’s.
WHAT IS TRAIL OF COURAGE LIVING HISTORY FESTIVAL? This event is not a craft festival or a rendezvous — it is much more. It is an event aimed at educating each of us in various facets of our country’s history through the life styles, tools, crafts and foods of 1700-1840 historic periods. When combined, these separate elements can form a “time machine” which can transport us and the public back in time where we can celebrate our successes, learn from our mistakes, and carry a proud legacy into the future. But this is possible only if we respect all races and nationalities and their many contributions.
SCHOOL TOUR DAY: Friday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. has been designated as “Trail School Tour Day” – please volunteer to come and give an educational program. Absolutely no driving in and out during the school tour because of accident liability and insurance. NOTE that Registered Sex Offenders cannot be here on school day.
HISTORIC CAMPS – Campsites are all assigned. Pre- registered folks get the spots they have had in previous years. Those who register when they arrive will take what is left – show your participant’s packet to the Camp Commander so he can show you your campsite. Do not set up camp until you know which camp is yours or you might have to move. You will be assigned a camp within your correct historic period. Refer to the application for list of these categories.
ARRIVAL & CHECK-IN: Use east door of museum. Upon arrival, all participants MUST check in at the museum to get their Participant Packet. Crossing the culvert into the primitive area will not be permitted until this packet is obtained and vehicle marker is in windshield. YOU MUST HAVE PACKET & VEHICLE MARKER BEFORE YOUR CAMP COMMANDER WILL LET YOU SET UP. If you arrive after dark, you will be escorted to your campsite. Museum closes at 5 p.m. but stays open for check-in until 11 p.m. Thurs. and 12 midnight on Friday. Museum closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday.
COMING EARLY– Camping areas are open from Wed. on. If you come early, please lend a hand cutting firewood, distributing trash barrels, setting up Indian dance arena or whatever needs doing.
PRIZES: Prizes will be on display in special prize display case at the Chippeway Village stage. Free literature and coupons from various black powder dealers are available in the museum also. You can donate a prize worth the cost of your fee.
MODERN NECESSITIES: such as rest rooms, pop & snack machines, bags of ice, water hose, electric hook-up (for emergency use only) are at the museum. For sale in the museum: many historic books, how-to material, patterns, historic clothes, gift shop items, souvenir postcards, etc. Also free showers in shower house west of museum!
FOR COMPLETE DETAILS:
Download Full Application
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Trail of Courage Living History Festival at the Fulton County Museum in Rochester, Indiana.
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