Past events

Kosciuszko’s Fortifications & Garden at West Point, 1778-1780

Thursday, November 8, 2012, at 6:30pm

Please be advised that this event has been postponed due to inclement weather. Once a new date is established we will notify you. 

Under the command of General George Washington, Colonel Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Chief Engineer at West Point, designed and oversaw construction of a fortification system during the American Revolution that was to become a model for the American Army going forward. Dr. Betsey Blakeslee will discuss the restoration efforts of Kosciuszko's fortifications and his garden at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Dr. Betsey Blakeslee recently received the Gold Cross of Merit from Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski for her work on the restoration of Kosciuszko's Garden and fortifications at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

 She will discuss the importance of the fortification system built by Kosciuszko that became the standard for the Continental Army. General Washington made his headquarters at West Point with Kosciuszko for four months in 1779, overseeing what he considered to be the "key to America." Pictures of the existing fortifications and their present condition will be presented along with the successful efforts to restore Kosciuszko's Garden which Kosciuszko he built himself in 1779.

Dr. Blakeslee is the wife of an active duty Army officer stationed at West Point, Colonel Don Blakeslee, Class of '70. Dr. Blakeslee received her Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Maryland and has spearheaded the restoration efforts for the past three years.

Refreshments provided by the Kosciuszko Foundation.

<< Return to Past events