The sun is high at Fort Delaware

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

The seasonal living quarters of trappers like the ingenious Joseph Skinner were perfectly Spartan, the recorded voice tells at the push of a button in Fort Delaware’s first 18th century cabin replica.

Decked with fox fur, a simple bed and fireplace and a British Infantry musket, the digs look like they could bring CBS Survivors to their knees.

But as the life of the wilderness settler evolved, the trapper’s retreat became a family log home with the luxuries of better shingles, comfortable chairs and checkerboards.

The museum of colonial history, built by James Burbank in the 1950s, is a reconstruction of the original frontier settlement of Cushetunk on the Delaware River, with its stockades and stout homes, which offered the only protection from warring Susquehanna Indians and French troops.

Actually, the original settlement was located upriver near Milanville, PA, but floods and ice floes during the past 200 years changed the lay of the land, making it impossible to identify that exact location.

New this year at Fort Delaware, under the first-year directorship of Claudine Luchsinger, is a colonial garden of lettuce, tomato, onion and tobacco, among other essential crops. The Country Garden Club of Hawley, PA provided the seed money for the garden.

Daily household and farm activities of the 18th century include blacksmithing and woodworking, spinning and carding, quilting and weaving, open-fire cooking, candle dipping and fabric dyeing.

Shortly after the tour began, a young boy asked reenactor Stephen Glowatz to fire the canon, thus commencing the colonist’s spirited recital of the “Fort Delaware Big Bang Theory,” topped off with an explosion from the British halfpounder that shook the earth, or at least, the fort.

Linda Dexter, who was spinning wool, said the fort shows “the initial facet of a community’s future and gives you an idea of how hardworking these people were.”

Inside one of the log homes that serves as a primitive theater, a DVD features a concise history of everything you should know about Fort Delaware. But keep in mind, the locals like to answer questions.

The theater also holds a collection of wooden locks made by Narrowsburg resident Charlie Knapp.

Luchsinger, who began the challenge of serving as director in April, is loving the job.

A former manager of an art gallery on New York City’s Fifth Avenue, she seems to thrive in the face of passing accurate information from one generation to the next and maintaining a standard for period-correct appearances at the fort.

Her staff includes at least four teenagers about 15 years old, who add to the depth of the fort’s cast of historical characters.

Without a doubt, Fort Delaware is a destination for the entire family.

Calendar of events

August 7 and 8 56th New York Volunteers

Enjoy the mischief of this Civil War military group as they set up camp at Fort Delaware. Visit the medical tent and see drills performed by men and women.

August 15 and 15 Wilderness Man

Learn how a settler (1755 era) would live and survive. Join Bill Webbe, state representative of the National Rifle and Muzzle Loading Association, as he demonstrates musket loading and tomahawk knife throwing.

August 20 Spin-off

Visit with members of the Woodland Weavers and Spinners Guild as they teach spinning methods and materials.

August 21 and 22 Civil War Living History Weekend

Sullivan County’s 143rd New York Infantry regiment will present a weekend full of camp life activities, military drills and ceremonies.

September 4, 5 and 6 (Labor Day weekend) Quilting Demonstration

Join award-winning quilter Avis Rolston as she demonstrates quilting techniques using materials of all shapes and sizes, including hand stitching, embroidery and sewing.

Fort Delaware is located on Route 97 in Narrowsburg. The Fort is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

For more information call 845/252-6660.