New York State French and Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission

The French and Indian War, fought from 1754 to 1763, was the precursor to the fight for American Independence. This conflict, now gaining recognition for its important role in shaping this country and Canada, was a fierce contest between the British and American colonists against the French and Canadians, with Native American allies on both sides.

The strategic waterways in New York—the Hudson-Champlain corridor, the Mohawk Valley, and the St. Lawrence—made the state a focal point of the war. As a result, the New York State French and Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission was established to raise awareness of this significant and fascinating period of American history.

The Commission is responsible for organizing and implementing a series of French and Indian War reenactment events to promote tourism in New York State: in the Lake George/Fort George area in 2005; Fort Bull/Fort Stanwix and Fort Ontario/Oswego in 2006; Fort William Henry/Lake George in 2007; Fort Carillon/Ticonderoga in 2008; Fort Niagara in 2009; and concluding with Fort La Presentation/Fort Levis in 2010.

The 19-member Commission is comprised of the Commissioner of Economic Development or a representative (Chair); the Commissioner of the Education Department or a representative; the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation or a representative; the Executive Director of the New York Independence Trail; the Executive Director of the Seaway Trail; the Executive Director of Old Fort Niagara; the Executive Director of Fort La Presentation; the Executive Director of Fort Ticonderoga; and 11 members of the French and Indian War reenactment community. Of this last group, three were appointed by the Governor, three by the Speaker of the Assembly, three by the Senate Majority Leader, one by the Assembly Minority Leader, and one by the Senator Minority Leader.