History Channel Visits Fort
February 18, 2008 - 2:38pm — ecooley
Yesterday, Fort Roberdeau was visited but not by the British or Indians. It was not a band of loyalist. It was the History Channel’s Modern Marvels. What was the assignment? To video Bob Emerson, Executive Director of Fort Niagra, and his son Will and his friend Zack. The History Channel’s show Modern Marvels will air a story on Lead. So they decided to shoot a video segment of a colonial soldier making lead bullets at the Lead Mine fort. Bob Emerson was called.
Bob hails from the area and has done a lot of work with Fort Roberdeau. His work has taken him up north to Fort Niagra but he still does some work for Forty Roberdeau. His lead smelting program is quite popular at the fort. He walks you through the entire process; starting the fire, with just flint and steel, preparing the coals, warming the pot, ladle, and mold, melting the lead, carefully pouring the lead into the mold, then knocking the lead ball out of the mold and cutting off the sprew at the end of the ball and finally a shooting demonstration.
It is amazing what these soldiers had to deal with to protect them selves. The cold, finding the resources, keeping everything dry, the waiting, and finally the skill it takes to create a lead ball. Yesterday, Sunday February 18, 2008, it was cold at Fort Roberdeau. There were 3-4 inches of snow, the wind was blowing, and there was occasional rain falling. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to try and make a fire, then to melt a led bar, and then mold the lead into a bullet all while outside in the elements? It is fascinating.
The History Channel show on lead will air in June 2008. How much of what was video tapped will actually be on the show? Who knows? We will find out in June. Special thanks to Bob Emerson, Will, and Zack. Also special thanks to the History Channel team, Jay, Jeff, and Jim for allowing us to capture the moment.
Comments
Watch Modern Marvels June 16, 2008
We've heard that the Fort Roberdeau segment is tentatively scheduled to air on June 16 on the program Modern Marvels in an episode called "Lead." Had a couple of follow up questions from the crew this week. The final program has not been put together yet, so we still don't know how much of the fort's story will make it on air, but it should be a good boost for one of Pennsylvania's most intriguing historic sites.
By the way, there will soon be a new website for Fort Roberdeau. It's being developed by America's Stories, Inc. and should go live within a few days. Those of us who've been working on it will be sure to post a note here when it's ready.
Read more stories at storytrax.com.
Thanks for the update
Thanks PAZ for the update. It will be exciting to watch the show. Might even record the show. I could say i was there. However, I enjoyed Bob's lead rifle ball even more than the visit by the History Channel. He is a real asset.
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fort roberdeau
The fort is so cool! I can't wait to see it on TV! Hopefully it will bring more tourists to learn about local and national history.
Brr
I'm glad I only have to be there in costume May to October. I can't believe what the settlers went thru in the drafty log cabins during the winter.
Peggy
KaBoom!
Great video -- my feet got cold just seeing all the snow again!
The story of Fort Roberdeau has been, up to now, a pretty well-kept secret. But, there will soon be a totally updated website with more stories and photos than you can stand, so watch for big changes at FortRoberdeau.org within the next few weeks.
Also, if you will be in grade 4, 5 or 6 in the 2008-09 school year, you can explore the story of the Lead Mines Fort this summer (June 23-27, 2008) as part of Penn State Altoona's annual Kid's College. Kids will participate in the ongoing archeological excavation at the site for part of each day and live the life of an 18th century settler (wear the clothes, cook, sew, train for the militia) for the rest of the day. Details are tentative right now, but should be firmed up by the end of February 2008.
Read more stories at storytrax.com.
let us know...
let us know the actual airing...my husband is a HUGE modern marvel dork, i mean fan.
I'll keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't hit the cutting room floor.
NOt only is it marvelous at the process, but i wonder, with all the knowledge today of the dangers of lead, if it was dangerous or, back in that time, if men that did that work had shorter life spans?
Same conversation
We had the same conversation. Accounts from other Lead smelting operations talk about the grass being dead for many yards aound the smelter.
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Fascinating!!!
That video was cool,Uncle Erin! Except for the fact that for some reason our speakers aren't working,it was cool. Luv ya, Mic
Hey Mic
Glad you liked the story. It was a lot of fun to be there and watch them make the lead rifle balls and to use the Flintlock. Thanks for reading the story. Hope everyone in the family is doing well. Give my love to everyone.
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