Summary of “Last of the Mohicans” Program Held on August 3 at Fort William Henry Conference Center

LAKE GEORGE, NY – The presentation by the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and the French and Indian War Society at Lake George of a program entitled “James Fenimore Cooper: History & Fiction in ‘The Last of the Mohicans’”, drew a rapt audience of 152 to the Fort William Henry Conference Center, Lake George on Thursday evening, August 3.

Dr. Nick Junkerman, Associate Professor of English Literature at Skidmore College, recounted
the backstory of Cooper’s life and the creation of the book’s memorable characters, such as
Natty Bumppo/Hawkeye, Magua, Chingachgook and Uncas, in the context of the historical
events surrounding the Siege of Fort William Henry in 1757.

The 50-minute presentation was followed by an extended question-and-answer session by Dr.
Junkerman with the audience, many of whom expressed appreciation for their enhanced
understanding of the Siege and its aftermath that occurred at Fort William Henry, the nearby
Lake George Battlefield Park (site of a large British encampment and much of the massacre that
occurred following the British surrender to the French), and other area locales referenced by
Cooper in his story.

About the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance

The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance is a volunteer-driven organization of individuals who have an abiding interest in the Lake George Region’s critical role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The Alliance manages the Battlefield Park’s Visitor Center and sponsors events throughout the year that educate the public about the site and its unique history. For more information, visit www.lakegeorgebattlefield.org.

About the French & Indian War Society at Lake George

The French & Indian War Society at Lake George was founded with the mission of educating the public about the French & Indian War (1754–1763) and to foster appreciation for Lake George, Lake Champlain and the Hudson River and their roles in American history. The group was chartered under the New York State Regents in May 2018 and is operated by a volunteer board of trustees comprised of historians, archaeologists, and enthusiasts. Members of the Society visit schools to teach students in grades
four, seven and 11 about the historical significance of the area. The Society also encourages archaeological research and the preservation of early material culture for the benefit of the local community and visitors. For more information: https://www.frenchandindianwarsociety.org.