The Fort Defiance Interperative Center Ribbon Cutting
April 8, 2011
Clarksville, TN – The City of Clarksville held an invitation only grand opening for the newly redesigned Fort Defiance site on Thursday. The public opening is scheduled for this morning with a gala event that aims to bring the history of the fort to life. Fort Defiance never fired a shot in anger, however the Fort and the city it guards looms large in the history of the Civil War era.
APSU Professors’ Dream for Civil War Fort Comes True Three Decades Later
March 31, 2011
Clarksville, TN – In 1982, two young Austin Peay State University history professors – Dr. Howard Winn and Dr. Richard Gildrie – ventured up to the top of a forgotten hill overlooking the Cumberland River. What they found was a wild tangle of bushes and sapling trees, 10 to 12 feet tall, that blocked out the sun and made it nearly impossible to hike through without machetes and axes.
Judge Sam Boaz, who owned the land, had asked the two men to come take a look and see if it was historically important. Rumor had it an old Civil War fort was hidden somewhere in those weeds. The professors hacked their way into that dense mess until they found the old earthen walls and communication trenches of what was known in the early 1860s as Fort Defiance.
Austin Peay State University professors Richard Gildrie (retired), Phil Kemmerly, Howard Winn (retired) and David Snyder stand next to a monument with their names engraved on it at the city’s new Fort Defiance Interpretive Center. (Photo By Charles Booth/APSU Public Relations and Marketing)
Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center to Open April 9th
March 30, 2011
Clarksville, TN – The City of Clarksville is excited to unveil its newest addition, the Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center. The park and related facilities, located at 120 Duncan Street, will open to the public on April 9th with activities planned the entire weekend in celebration of the Grand Opening.
Fort Defiance Interpretive Center, Clarksville TN.
The Clarksville Parks and Rec Report
March 27, 2011
Clarksville, TN – The weekly Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Report provides Clarksvillians with a glimpse at the activities and events that are available from the Parks and Recreation Department for them to enjoy together as a family.
This weeks highlights include:
- First Annual Sports Festival
- Fort Defiance Interpretive Center Grand Opening
- Hershey’s Track and Field Competition
- Self Defense Class
- Pitch, Hit, and Run
- Crow Community Center
- Spring Eggstravaganza
This young woman was head over heals for the Clarksville Sports Festival
The City of Clarksville to Hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this afternoon
June 23, 2010
The City of Clarksville invites you to the unveiling of the North Riverwalk Extension Wednesday, June 23rd at 4:00pm. The North Riverwalk Extension consists of a 12’ sidewalk, park benches, picnic tables, lighting, landscaping and irrigation from Pilot’s Plaza (behind O’Charleys) to the confluence of the Cumberland and Red River’s as well as a development pad. City of Clarksville Project Manager, Daniel Binkley sees “this project as a stepping stone to many more great opportunities for quality of life initiatives for the City in the future.” [Read more]
Clarksville-Montgomery County leadership look ahead to Civil War Sesquicentennial
April 8, 2010
It was just 150 years ago that our nation was torn apart by the Civil War. Brother faced off against brother in often brutal battles. Even after the Union’s victory and the eventual reunification of the southern states lingering tensions remained for many years.
It is said time heals all wounds and indeed and we are looking at the approaching sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2011 with a air of celebration,recognizing of the history of America in a way that everyone can embrace.
We are fortunate to be in an area with a rich Civil War heritage including Fort Defiance (Fort Bruce), nearby Fort Donelson, and other Civil War sites. City and County leaders hope to be ready to attract tourists who will be the traveling the country visiting civil war era sites as a part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial.
Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers fires off the canon at the Sesquicentennial kick-off in Montgomery County on April 6th 2010.
2009 Friends of Fort Defiance Living History Weekend – 3
August 29, 2009
Living History Weekend August 29-30, 2009. Camp opened to the public 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Demonstrations of 19th century civilian and military life including quilting, medicine, children’s toys, games and cartridge rolling. Cannons fired every hour.
A video used to be embedded here but the service that it was hosted on has shut down.2009 Friends of Fort Defiance Living History Weekend – 2
August 29, 2009
Living History Weekend August 29-30, 2009. Camp opened to the public 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Demonstrations of 19th century civilian and military life including quilting, medicine, children’s toys, games and cartridge rolling. Cannons fired every hour.
A video used to be embedded here but the service that it was hosted on has shut down.2009 Friends of Fort Defiance Living History Weekend – 1
August 29, 2009
Living History Weekend August 29-30, 2009. Camp opened to the public 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Demonstrations of 19th century civilian and military life including quilting, medicine, children’s toys, games and cartridge rolling. Cannons fired every hour.
A video used to be embedded here but the service that it was hosted on has shut down.
