Fort Construction
Forbes Campaign
Art Gallery
World Ablaze
Colonel George Washington
100

Three years after Braddock's Defeat, this year marked the construction of the original Fort Ligonier during the Forbes Campaign. 

1758 

100

This city in Pennsylvania served as the starting point of the Forbes Campaign. 

Philadelphia  

100

Depicted standing proudly in the Art Gallery, this gentleman was the King of England during the beginning of the French and Indian War.

King George II 

100

Involving 5 of 7 continents around the globe, this War should really be considered the true first World War. 

Seven Years' War 

100

This colony was where George Washington was born and raised. 

Virginia 

200

This North American conflict between the British and the French involving many Native American Nations officially lasted roughly 9 years. Part of this conflict is the reason why Fort Ligonier was built. 

French and Indian War 

200

This French fort located at the "Forks of the Ohio River" sat a critical strategic location, inspiring the British to send General Forbes and his army of over 5,000 to capture it.  

Fort Duquesne 

200

This Commander-in-Chief of all British Forces during the Seven Year's War never set foot in North America. Their bravery on the battlefield in Europe is displayed as a center piece of artwork in the Art Gallery. 

Field Marshal John Ligonier 

200

This country became allies with Great Britain. They were known for having the most elite and disciplined Infantry. 

Prussia 

200

George Washington served as an aide de camp to this General in 1755 who was wounded and later died after the Battle of the Monongahela. 

General Edward Braddock 

300

Lasting 8 years as a supply depot, Fort Ligonier was officially decommissioned in this year. 

1766

300

Serving as General Forbes' second-in-command, this Colonel proved himself as a reliable military commander.  

Colonel Henry Bouquet 

300

This disgruntled Quartermaster on display played a pivotal role in maintaining the logistics of the Forbes Campaign. 

Quartermaster John St. Clair 

300

This British Admiral was court marshalled and executed for failing to relieve the Island of Minorca in 1756. The scene of his execution is depicted in our museum. 

Admiral Byng 

300

This skilled woodsman and surveyor accompanied George Washington on his first diplomatic mission to urge the French to cease building forts near the Ohio River Valley in 1753.

Christopher Gist 

400

Over 150 years after the original Fort was decommissioned, the restoration process of Fort Ligonier began in this Century.  

20th Century 

400

This Fort built roughly 50 miles east of Fort Ligonier served as the primary location for intense military training in July of 1758. 

Fort Bedford 

400

Meeting for the first time on their wedding day, this royal couple played an instrumental role in governing England throughout the late 18th Century. 

King George III and Queen Charlotte 

400

Throughout India, this large animal was armored and deployed on the battlefield to wreak havoc on opposing forces.  

Elephant

400

George Washington described this roughly constructed fort as a "charming place for an encounter." His men suffered a brutal defeat at this location on July 3, 1754 at the hands of the French and their Native American Allies. 

Fort Necessity 

500

This visitor friendly building in the Fort today was the first to be reconstructed. 

Officer's Quarters 

500

This month marked the official and successful end to the Forbes Campaign.

November 

500

Responsible for creating many original 18th Century works of art, this famous painter specialized in creating portraits. Some of this dear Sirs work is on display in the Art Gallery with the initials J.R. 

Sir Joshua Reynolds 

500

This country joined the Seven Years' War in 1762 just one year before the official end of the War. 

Spain 

500

This tragic event near Fort Ligonier impacted George Washington in what he later described as a "circumstance which involved the life of GW in as much jeopardy as it had ever been before or since."

Friendly Fire Incident