Fort Cooper State Park will introduce visitors to the just-completed Seminole Heritage Trail during the annual Fort Cooper Days event on Saturday and Sunday.
The fort was built in 1836 during the Second Seminole War (1835 to 1842). Dianne Drye, park ranger and events coordinator, told the Citrus County Chronicle the event is designed to spread awareness about the history of the area and the Seminoles.
Drye said it also is meant to showcase period military and Seminole camps and accurate living history with crafts, arts, foods and re-enactments of battle scenes. The living history also will depict blacksmiths demonstrating how arrowheads and arrows were made.
“Because the area near the fort used to be mainly marsh, the Seminoles — who are known for their canoes — used it a lot, and they used to be a very significant part of this area,” Drye told the Chronicle.
During the event, visitors also will get to see the just-completed heritage trail system, with four kiosks illustrating the history of the area.
The Seminoles and the U.S. Army were involved in two major wars during the 1800s — the first was 1814 to 1818, which caused many Seminoles from all over Florida to be relocated to reservations in Central Florida.
However, in 1835, a second war erupted, led by Chief Osceola, this time over the tribe’s refusal to be moved to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. Fort Cooper was built during this war, which lasted seven years. The Seminoles were eventually defeated and most were relocated to Oklahoma.
Re-enactments depicting the events that took place during the construction of the fort will be staged at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both days. A living history demonstration will be presented throughout the day. Period arts and crafts, exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, food and refreshments also will be part of activities.
Cost is $6 for age 13 and older; children 12 and younger are admitted free. For more information, call 352-726-0315.