Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne was recognized for her dedication and assistance to the Fort de la Presentation Association and its mission to raise awareness of the history of the area during an event Saturday night in Ogdensburg.
The Fort de la Presentation Association presented the Persis Yates Boyesen Award to Assemblywoman Jenne. The award is given to individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the association's endeavors to reconstruct Fort de la Presentation.
"While you are sitting on one of the benches at the Abbe Picquet
Monument, enjoying the War of 1812 Peace Garden and learning about the history of Van Rensselaer Point, think of New York State Assemblywoman Addie Jenne," Barbara O'Keefe, president of the association's Board of Directors said.
"Assemblywoman Jenne was able to secure state funds necessary for the construction of the Abbe Picquet Plaza. I also can’t think of a Fort Association event that Addie or a representative of her office has not attended. What is most valuable to me and the association is that Addie is just a phone call away, whether we need advice or have a concern," she added.
The award was presented to the assemblywoman at the Fort de la Presentation Association's annual fall social and fundraiser at the Sherman Inn Bed and Breakfast.
The assemblywoman said she was honored to be recognized by the association, but she noted it is was easy to assist a group working to grow the region's economy by marrying our past to the future.
"The fort is a jewel that we are polishing, and we will all keep polishing until it is brought to its fullest beauty. As the fort comes back to life, so does Ogdensburg. I believe it is one of the keys to the city's future," Assemblywoman Jenne noted.
"It is easy to assist such a dedicated group of volunteers –- association board members, volunteers and re-enactors –- who have dedicated so much of their time, energy and money to give new life to the region's rich history, preserving the role Ogdensburg played in battles between French and British troops," she said.
"It's a story that can bring people here so we can share our story with them. I have been impressed with the work the volunteers have already done on the site, and I am excited about their plans for the future," Assemblywoman Jenne added.
She said it has been impressive to watch the dedication of the people that have been working for years to move the fort project forward.
"I am fully aware the real credit for this effort lies with the volunteers, but I am pleased to have been able to play a small role helping move this project forward," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
Assemblywoman Jenne also praised the honorees of two other awards handed out Saturday evening.
Dallas Robinson, Norfolk, was named the recipient of the David L. Dickinson Award, an honor given to individuals or organizations as special recognition for generous commitment of self and resources to the Fort de la Presentation project.
"Dave Dickinson was truly dedicated to seeing this fort built. This enthusiasm is shared by Dallas, who has shown his devotion to this project by stepping forward to support our yearly Living History Day, the Winter Biathlon, our Founder’s Weekend, Battle of Ogdensburg and to whatever he is called upon to volunteer his time for," Ms. O'Keefe said
Tim McCabe and Deb Jansen, owners of The Freight House Restaurant, were the recipients of The Joseph Cosentino Award.
This award is given to individuals or organizations to recognize their generous commitment of self and resources to the Fort de la Presentation effort.
The restaurant is located directly across the road from the fort grounds.
"The people being bestowed this award, in honor of our beloved Joe, emulate his work ethic, commitment and passion for furthering the goal of reconstructing Fort de la Presentation," according to Ms. O'Keefe.
The Fort de la Presentation Association presented the Persis Yates Boyesen Award to Assemblywoman Jenne. The award is given to individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the association's endeavors to reconstruct Fort de la Presentation.
"While you are sitting on one of the benches at the Abbe Picquet
Monument, enjoying the War of 1812 Peace Garden and learning about the history of Van Rensselaer Point, think of New York State Assemblywoman Addie Jenne," Barbara O'Keefe, president of the association's Board of Directors said.
"Assemblywoman Jenne was able to secure state funds necessary for the construction of the Abbe Picquet Plaza. I also can’t think of a Fort Association event that Addie or a representative of her office has not attended. What is most valuable to me and the association is that Addie is just a phone call away, whether we need advice or have a concern," she added.
The award was presented to the assemblywoman at the Fort de la Presentation Association's annual fall social and fundraiser at the Sherman Inn Bed and Breakfast.
The assemblywoman said she was honored to be recognized by the association, but she noted it is was easy to assist a group working to grow the region's economy by marrying our past to the future.
"The fort is a jewel that we are polishing, and we will all keep polishing until it is brought to its fullest beauty. As the fort comes back to life, so does Ogdensburg. I believe it is one of the keys to the city's future," Assemblywoman Jenne noted.
"It is easy to assist such a dedicated group of volunteers –- association board members, volunteers and re-enactors –- who have dedicated so much of their time, energy and money to give new life to the region's rich history, preserving the role Ogdensburg played in battles between French and British troops," she said.
"It's a story that can bring people here so we can share our story with them. I have been impressed with the work the volunteers have already done on the site, and I am excited about their plans for the future," Assemblywoman Jenne added.
She said it has been impressive to watch the dedication of the people that have been working for years to move the fort project forward.
"I am fully aware the real credit for this effort lies with the volunteers, but I am pleased to have been able to play a small role helping move this project forward," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
Assemblywoman Jenne also praised the honorees of two other awards handed out Saturday evening.
Dallas Robinson, Norfolk, was named the recipient of the David L. Dickinson Award, an honor given to individuals or organizations as special recognition for generous commitment of self and resources to the Fort de la Presentation project.
"Dave Dickinson was truly dedicated to seeing this fort built. This enthusiasm is shared by Dallas, who has shown his devotion to this project by stepping forward to support our yearly Living History Day, the Winter Biathlon, our Founder’s Weekend, Battle of Ogdensburg and to whatever he is called upon to volunteer his time for," Ms. O'Keefe said
Tim McCabe and Deb Jansen, owners of The Freight House Restaurant, were the recipients of The Joseph Cosentino Award.
This award is given to individuals or organizations to recognize their generous commitment of self and resources to the Fort de la Presentation effort.
The restaurant is located directly across the road from the fort grounds.
"The people being bestowed this award, in honor of our beloved Joe, emulate his work ethic, commitment and passion for furthering the goal of reconstructing Fort de la Presentation," according to Ms. O'Keefe.
"They have supported this project for over 15 years. They have helped us plan seminars, parties, meals, catered activities at the fort site and even hosted Country Dancing for Founder’s Weekend," Ms. O'Keefe noted.
"They have generously allowed us to carry out many working luncheons and dinners and to conduct meetings when we had no place else to go," she added.
"The Freight House has offered a haven for us as we have traveled this long road. Deb and Tim have always greeted members of our group with a warm welcome and smile when we have had a particularly frustrating meeting or a setback and need to unwind," Ms. O'Keefe said.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the work of volunteers like Mr. Robinson and businesses like The Freight House are helping bring history back to life in Ogdensburg.
"We know the fort project has already generated a renewed interest in our region's history, and we have seen the economic impact that events sponsored by the Fort de la Presentation Committee are already having on the city. I can't wait to see what the future will bring," she said.
The weekend event also included an update on the progress of the interpretive trail at the VanRenesslaer Point and an address by Dr. Melissa Schrems about the significance of the fort site and Ogdensburg's early history. The evening also included silent and live auctions.
"It was a great night with a lot of laughs. It also demonstrated the support that has allowed the fort project to continue to move forward. The trivia contest was spirited, and the auction was filled with laughs and good cheer. The Sherman Inn offers the perfect venue for this event," Assemblywoman Jenne noted.
Abbé François Picquet built a mission fort called Fort de la Présentation in 1749 on the banks of the Oswegatchie River and the St. Lawrence River in an effort to convert the Iroquois Confederacy to Catholicism and to bring them to the side of France as his nation prepared for war with the British, according to history of the site on the association's web page.
The French begin evacuating Fort de la Présentation in 1759 and constructed Fort Lévis on Chimney Island to prevent a British attack down the St. Lawrence River on Montreal and Quebec.
The British occupied the fort beginning in 1760 and renamed it Fort Oswegatchie. The British used Oswegatchie during the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783.
The British refused to give up Fort Oswegatchie to the victorious Americans after the Revolutionary War. It is one of the five forts along the frontier they retained. Jay’s Treaty signed Nov. 19, 1794, contained the provision that the British evacuate the frontier posts by June 1, 1796.
The first settlers under the American flag, according to the association's web site, arrived on Aug. 11, 1796. They were led by Nathan Ford, a land agent for the proprietor, Samuel Ogden.
Fort de la Présentation was abandoned in 1813. The wood, metal and stone were used to build Ogdensburg.
The association's goal is to reconstruct the original fort on the shores of the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie rivers.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Barbara O'Keefe, president of the Fort de la Presentation Association Board of Directors, presents Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne with the Persis Yates Boyesen Award.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
The Fort de la Presentation Association handed out three awards at its annual fall social and fundraiser Saturday night at the Sherman Inn Bed and Breakfast. Pictured are (l-r): Tim Cryderman, vice president, association Board of Directors; Barbara O'Keefe, president, association Board of Directors; Marsha Hough, chairman of the association's social; Deb Jansen, The Freight House, Joe Cosentino Award; Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, Persis Yates Boyesen Award; and Dallas Robinson, David L. Dickinson Award.
Barbara O'Keefe (r), president of the Fort de la Presentation Association Board of Directors, reviews a design for the pathway to the trail system at the fort site with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.
