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An Ohio forefather to visit Canal Winchester
(by Linda Dillman, staff writer - May 27, 2009)
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| Ken Hammontree as Simon Kenton |
The early history of Ohio is peppered with colorful characters and brave frontiersmen like Simon Kenton, namesake of a central Ohio scouting organization
The story of Simon Kenton will be the featured presentation by the Canal Winchester Historical Society on June 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Frances Steube Community Center, 22 S. Trine St. The event is held in conjunction with members of Cub Scout Pack 103 and Boy Scout Troop 103. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Living history interpreter Ken Hammontree will portray Kenton.
"This is the first time we've ever held a meeting with the scouts," said Cal Caswell, who helped organize the event. "The Central Ohio Boy Scout Council is the Simon Kenton Council and we thought it would be a great learning experience for both the scouts and our members. The public is also invited to attend and refreshments will be served. The scouts will be presenting the colors. Simon Kenton was a legendary frontiersman and I thought this would be a great opportunity for the kids and the historical society."
About Simon Kenton
Kenton was born in the mountains of Virginia on April 3, 1775 and passed away in Ohio on April 29, 1836. According to Hammontree, Kenton was a founding father of Ohio and a contemporary of Daniel Boone.
By age 21, Kenton experienced capture, torture, escape, and recapture by the Shawnee inhabiting lands where he traveled. He was also a noted hunter and tracker, but illiterate for much of his life. He was married twice and his second wife (his first spouse died in a fire), who was highly educated and could speak multiple languages, taught Kenton how to read.
"He opened up Ohio, but with him came the onslaught of pioneers," said Hammontree. "When Simon Kenton came to Ohio, the Canal Winchester area was in the heart of the Shawnee hunting grounds. At the time, there were no maps, no roads, nothing but a vast howling wilderness."
History comes alive
As part of his presentation, Hammontree will be in full-period regalia, complete with 1770 reproduction rifle and tomahawk. The former Ohio and American history teacher's attention to historical detail, honed over a 35-year period, drew the attention of CSpan in 2000, when he received a call from Washington, D.C.
"They were doing a series on presidents and asked me to do three presidents," recalled Hammontree, who lives in Ashland, Ohio. "I did George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Warren G. Harding. Last summer, I traveled to Colorado for a General Patton presentation and did Paul Revere in Boston. My first character was Johnny Appleseed. I was teaching Ohio history and thinking about what I could do to excite the kids. I dressed up like Johnny Appleseed for a section, then I followed with Blue Jacket and it took off from there. Who else can say they are a four-star general one day and Tecumseh the next?"
The event includes a question and answer period at the conclusion of Hammontree's appearance. For information, contact the historical society at 833-1846.
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