Along the Forbes Road

To end French and Indian War in Pennsylvania, General John Forbes built a road across Pennsylvania.  This road opened the west to increased settlement and gave the colony of Pennsylvania an economic advantage over its rival, Virginia.  The summer institute analyzed the importance of the road and the economic vitality it offered to the colony.

Participants of the summer institute viewed the historic significance of the journey by visiting portions of the Forbes Road from Harrisburg to Ft. Ligonier and points in between.    “Along the Forbes Road” illustrated the exploration, settlement, and growth in colonial Pennsylvania and how 18^th century transportation routes continue to influence the Commonwealth today.  The Institute was held on what was the western edge (c. 1750) of colonial settlement in Pennsylvania (Shippensburg).  Although the theme and the content looked at the development of the Forbes Road and its significance during and after the French and Indian War, the emphasis for the participants was the after-institute local project.

The opening keynote address was given by Dr. Fred Anderson, Professor of History at the University of Colorado and author of  The War that Made America.  Dr. Anderson’s book was assigned as the pre-institute reading for all participants.

For additional information on the institute, please review the Overview.