The Grove City Area Historical Society welcomes Gibsonia native, Ginny Campbell, to their Speaker’s Series on July 29th. As a self-educated researcher on George Washington’s Trail through Pennsylvania, she has uncovered some interesting facts that bring into question the accuracy of the current trail markings, particularly in the Grove City and Slippery Rock area.

As a young soldier and diplomat in the Virginia Regiment, George Washington was charged with the task of carrying orders to the French at Fort LeBoeuf (today’s Waterford, PA), Fort Machault (today’s Franklin, PA), and Fort Presque Isle (Erie). Those orders were for the French to abandon those forts built on land claimed by the British Crown. This territorial dispute led to the French & Indian War. His journey became known as the Washington Trail, and can be followed by car today.

George and his guide, Christopher Gist, kept a very detailed journal of their travels, and Ginny found that their journal entries did not match the currently established route. Being a self-described ‘puzzle solver’, Ginny has outlined “Gist’s exact 82 mile route between Logtown and Venango.” She believes the pair passed through Grove City & Slippery Rock on foot on their return trip from Fort LeBoeuf.

Come hear the story of George Washington ‘actual’ trail through our area from Ginny’s perspective Tuesday, July 29th at 111 College Ave., Grove City at 6:30. Admission is free, and the building is air-conditioned.