FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR COMMISSION ANNOUNCES GRANT AWARDS
Funds Aim to Bolster Public Awareness of the War that Made America

Nearly $25,000 in sponsorship grants will be issued to various New York State historic sites and societies on behalf of the French and Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission. Known as Dickinson Sponsorships, they are the latest of many efforts by the Commission to raise the profile of the French and Indian War, the precursor to the American Revolution.

“These grants will play an important role in funding projects that will help school children, vacationers and history enthusiasts alike to better understand the vital role of this war in American history,” said Nicholas Westbrook, vice chair of the New York State French & Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission.

The Dickinson Sponsorships, established in the memory of David Dickinson, who was instrumental in the formation of the Commission and made many other contributions to the historical community of New York State before his death in 2004, aim to carry on his work. Specifically, The Commission will provide a total of $25,000 in sponsorships for “non-signature” French & Indian Commemoration events in calendar year 2006/2007 that projects promote the public’s interest in the French and Indian War in New York State.

In order to be eligible for a Dickinson Sponsorship, applicants, which range from governments to schools to historical institutions, must establish the significance of their proposal as it relates to the French and Indian War, among other stipulations.

Sponsorship awards were determined through an intense, competitive process using the Commission Members from throughout the state to review applications. Sponsorships of up to $3000 each will be awarded to:

Essex County

• Ticonderoga Historical Society $3,000 to catalogue/reformat the Loescher collection on Robert Rogers;

• Fort Ticonderoga Association $3,000 for a Native American Symposium

Fulton County

• Johnson Hall State Historic Site $1,700 in support of “Diversions of the Mind,” a music/dance theater program

Montgomery County

• Montgomery County Historical Society $3,000 for French & Indian War theater and vignettes at Ft. Johnson

Saint Lawrence County

• Fort La Presentation Association $3,000 for Fort Levi Interpretive Signage and lecture programs

Saratoga County

• Stillwater Blockhouse and Museum $900 for French & Indian War Interpretive signage, exhibit and booklet

Warren County

• Village of Lake George $3,000 for a mapping project and a French & Indian War walking tour

Washington County

• Rogers Island Heritage Development Alliance $3,000 to reprint 1,500 copies of the Diary of Jabez Fitch, Jr.

The Dickinson Sponsorship Grants were funded in the New York State 2006 Budget.

For more information, visit the French & Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission’s Web site at fiw250.iloveny.com.