THE SEASON OF GEN. EDWARD BRADDOCK

WQED Multimedia is producing a four-part documentary that will bring to life the French and Indian War, a fascinating yet little-understood conflict. Produced and filmed locally, the production is an important, regional economic-development project. "The War That Made America" is planned for broadcast on Wednesdays Jan. 18 and 25, 9-11 p.m.

250 years ago, Gen. Edward Braddock led a British army, including a young George Washington, across Western Pennsylvania toward the French-controlled Fort Duquesne. In July of 1755, Braddock and 900 of his 1,400 troops died in battle at the hands of Native Americans and their French allies. George Washington and the surviving troops retreated to the British supply camp at Jumonville, near Fort Necessity.

In July, history buffs and scholars united to examine the life and legacy of Braddock with a series of events:

July 9
The Battle of the Monongahela events
The official commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Monongahela (the site of Braddock's defeat) was held in North Braddock. The program included a symposium at the Carnegie Library in Braddock and there were teaching re-enactors and living historians in period dress. Also on display was Robert Griffing's painting depicting the wounding of Braddock (pictured), the original manuscript of George Washington's autobiographical remembrances of his service during the French and Indian War and the original document that contains Braddock's "Instructions to Sir William Johnson," dated April 15, 1755. Visitors saw the location of the new Historical Tourism Visitor's Center, which will be built on the actual site of the Battle of the Monongahela.

July 16-17
Braddock Campaign Commemoration
Fort Necessity National Battlefield and the Braddock Road Preservation Association jointly commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Braddock expedition and Braddock's death and burial with encampments, an artillery firing demonstration, living-history presentations and speakers.

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