After a trip through Butler County at age 21, George Washington likely never wanted to come back.
Then a new major in the Virginia militia, Washington nearly met his end twice during a three-day span in 1753.
Local historians and history buffs will commemorate the 250th anniversary Saturday of one of those near-death experiences and discuss what might have happened had Washington died.
Washington traveled through Western Pennsylvania to get to Erie County, where he gave French officials an order from Virginia Gov. Robert Dinwiddie: Leave British territory.
After the French declined to vacate -- a decision that sparked the French and Indian War -- Washington headed south to return to Virginia.
On the way home, he cheated death twice, said John Ruch, president of Historic Harmony.
On Dec. 27, 1753, an Indian allied with the French fired his musket at Washington but missed.
Two days later, Washington nearly drowned after tumbling from a raft into the icy Allegheny River.
To mark the 250th anniversary of the two events that could have changed the course of history, local historians have organized a re-enactment of the shooting, as well as a trail hike along Old Pittsburgh-Franklin Road in Forward Township. The community is invited to attend the re-enactment, but the hike already has 80 participants. No more are being accepted.
David Dixon, a history professor at Slippery Rock University who will speak at the event, said the time Washington spent in Western Pennsylvania played a significant role in his life and perhaps in the life of every American.
After the brushes with death and his surrender to the French in 1754 at Fort Necessity, near Uniontown, Fayette County, Washington learned to better pick his battles, Dixon said.
"Had George Washington died in Western Pennsylvania, I think it is very possible we would have lost the American Revolution," Dixon said. "The one thing that kept the revolution alive was the personal magnetism of George Washington."
Ruch agreed.
"You can seriously question whether there was anyone who could have successfully led the revolution," Ruch said. "Washington had the confidence of the people."
Additional Information:
If you go
What: 'George Washington Cheats Death,' the 250th anniversary of one of Washington's near-death experiences in Western Pennsylvania. A re-enactment of the attempted shooting of Washington. Also, David Dixon, a Slippery Rock University history professor, will present 'If Washington Had Been Killed in 1753.'When: 2 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Forward municipal building along Route 68, 2 miles east of Evans City.
