Out & About: Fort Ligonier hosts George Washington birthday party

Shirley McMarlin | Monday, February 25, 2019 1:30 a.m.

Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Fort Ligonier’s Director of History and Collections, Erica Nuckles, joins Fort Ligonier’s Assistant Director of Education, Matt Gault (portraying George Washington), for a photo near the birthday cake during the Winter History Happy Hour celebrating the 287th anniversary of George Washington’s birthday, held Feb. 22 at Fort Ligonier .

Happy 287th birthday, George Washington!

Although he unfortunately could not be present, the Father of Our Country was feted Feb. 22 during a winter History Happy Hour at one of his old haunts — Fort Ligonier.

Assistant Director of Education Matt Gault stood in, portraying the young Washington for the assembled guests.

Washington maintains a strong presence at the fort via the Washington Gallery, which include handwritten documents and pair of saddle pistols Washington received during the Revolutionary War from his friend and ally, the Marquis de Lafayette.

Happy hour guests toasted with spirits including a rum punch, sampled light bites from Rosalie Jioio’s Little Italy and tapped their toes to Americana music by Joe Golden and Pat Petrarca.

Event sponsor was Kimberly Riggs Optometry.