Cook Forest Living History Weekend

24-05-24 All day
Cook Forest State Park
Phone:814-744-8407
Address: Cook Forest State Park (Office), 100 Route 36, Cooksburg, PA, United States

See below for exact locations of each event:

Please join us (PA DCNR) for a fun filled weekend of living history as we journey through various historical eras of the United States: French & Indian War, Colonial Period, Civil War, Spanish American War, and Pennsylvania’s lumber heritage. Join living historian and master story-teller Paul Stillman, historical interpreter Dave Clark, and historian-songwriter Van Wagner, as they take us through these noteworthy periods of American history through first person character portrayals, hands-on demonstrations, and song.

Friday, May 24 from 800-1000pm

‘Seneca Point by Candlelight’ Take a walk back in time with historical characters from the past. Please meet at the Fire Tower parking lot where a 1750’s French Marine will guide us through the ancient rocks of Seneca Point in search of old Seneca & Abenaki warriors on their trek south along the Catawba Trail.

Saturday, May 25 from 900-1100am

Paul Stillman as a ‘Seneca Indian’ A Native American visits us from the past on his trip from New York as he travels south along the historic Olean Trail. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom where he will be preparing for his trip.

Saturday, May 25 from 100-230pm

Paul Stillman and Dave Clark as ‘The North Meets South’ Come see the Civil War through a New York regimental line soldier and a rebel of the Army of Northern Virginia. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Saturday, May 25 from 800-900pm

‘An Evening with Ben Franklin’ by Paul Stillman One of the founding fathers of our country. Science, glass music, and philosophy are only part of Doctor Franklin’s life. Join the elderly stateman as he reminisces about his involvement in the French & Indian forts of the 1750’s. Please bring your chairs & blankets and meet at the Ridge Camp Park Amphitheater.

Sunday, May 26 from 100-200pm

Dave Clark as a ‘Private of the 71st New York Regiment During the Spanish American War’ Private Charles Johnson Post recounts the charge up San Juan Hill. Post, an illustrator for William Randolph Hearst’s newspaper, endured the hardships of a soldier in the “Splendid Little War in Cuba”. Please bring your camp chairs at meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 230-330pm

Paul Stillman as a ‘Colonial Craftsman’ Learn how things were made during the early part of the 18th century during a quill and bamboo pen fabrication workshop. Please bring your camp chairs at meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 430-600pm

‘Tall Timber: Van Wagner’s Timber Heritage Program’ Celebrate the past and present of Pennsylvania’s timber heritage with historian, songwriter, and forester, Van Wagner, as he demonstrates dozens of tools spanning 200 years of logging history. He will also focus on the old rafting days when millions of board feet of Pennsylvania Timber were assembled into various styles of rafts and piloted down our streams and rivers. Please bring your camp chairs and meet at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom.

Sunday, May 26 from 800-900pm

‘Evening Concert by songwriter Van Wagner’ Featuring acoustic songs about the cultural and natural heritage of Pennsylvania at the Ridge Camp Park Amphitheater. Van’s music has been featured on the History Channel, Country Music Television, and several film productions. Be prepared to not only be entertained, but also inspired to learn more about Pennsylvania’s history. Don’t forget your chairs and blankets!

Related upcoming events

  • 15-02-25 All day

    Come join us for a day of fun wintry activities along the picturesque National Wild & Scenic Clarion River within Cook Forest State Park. Various activities will be held at the new River Pavilion by the playground on River Road approximately 1-mile up-river from the RT36 Cooksburg Bridge:

    1130am - Chili Cook-Off (hot & mild divisions) - bring your chili by 11:00 am

    1130am-230pm - carriage rides, sledding, snowman building, ice skating

    1200-100pm - Snowshoe interpretive hike within the old growth forest along Cook Trail, meet at the new River Pavilion

    100pm - Happy Dog Contest

    Come sample the chili during the ‘Free Chili Cook-Off’, that is, after the judges have tried some first. Hot chocolate and coffee will be on hand to help take the chill out of your bones. Enjoy a wonderful day among family and friends in Cooksburg’s winter wonderland. Event sponsored by the Cook Forest Vacation Bureau.

  • 01-03-25 All day

    Please bring your binoculars and spotting scopes to the Park Office for a driving tour to otter hotspots along the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River. This is the prime time of the year to witness otter activity. Chances are good to observe otter sign such as slides, tracks, and latrines along the banks of the river. Hot chocolate and coffee will be available at the Park Office to warm us up. Maybe we’ll even get a chance to see a river otter romp in action.

    Saturday, March 1, 2025 7:30am to 10:30am

  • 15-03-25 All day

    Cook Forest State Park will be conducting an interpretive cold weather kayaking trip on the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River. Join the flotilla and celebrate the last days of winter on this four mile float. Bald eagles, river otter, mink, and mergansers have been known to make an appearance. Pack a lunch and a thermos with your favorite hot beverage. Cost is $25/boat (bring your own or we’ll supply you one) with check or money order made out to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All monies raised go towards future programming at Cook Forest State Park. Participants must pre-register by 3/10/25 by contacting the Park Office at (814)744-8407. Prior kayak training participants receive a 50% discount. Safety is of utmost importance. All participants must have the following required safety equipment or will not be permitted to attend: dry suit or dry top/bottom combination, cold weather boots, waterproof gloves, waterproof stow bag, complete change of clothes. Meet at the Park Office where we will conduct a safety check for above items, load gear, and travel to the starting point up-river.

    Saturday, March 15, 2025 9am to 2pm

  • 29-03-25 All day

    Please bring your binoculars and spotting scopes to the Park Office for a driving tour to eagle hotspots along the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River. This is the prime time of the year to view bald eagles on their nests and find new nesting sites. Expect a long car-pool and aggressive hike to some of the better areas, but the rewards will be worth it. Hot chocolate and coffee will be available at the Park Office to warm us up.

    Saturday, March 29, 2025 8:30am to 12:30pm

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