The Connellsville Historical Society is in the midst of planning the 22nd” anniversary of our celebration of Braddock’s Crossing of the Yough, which will be held the weekend of June 27-29th, 2025.

Originally this event was organized as Connellsville’s contribution to the Age of Empire celebrating the United States involvement in the period known as the French and Indian War. This war lasted from 1753 to 1763. Major General Edward Braddock crossed the Youghiogheny River here at Stewart’s Crossing, now Connellsville on June 29-30th, 1755. This year will be the 270th Anniversary! 1755-2025

Our first reenactment of the crossing occurred on June 29th-30th, 2005, the 250th anniversary of the original crossing. General Braddock was on his way to attack and capture the French fort, Duquesne, at the Forks of the Ohio River. This 2005 reenactment celebrated Connellsville’s involvement in world history. We have continued this event and added to it over the years. Having an actual river crossing is rather unique among reenactments.

This year, 2025, we are planning the 4th Dinner-Lecture bringing an acknowledged historian to Connellsville friday evening as the kick-off event of the annual Braddock’s Crossing week-end. The speaker for next year’s event is still in the planning stages. But last year the speaker was Kimberly Hess, author of A LESSER MORTAL: THE UNEXPECTED LIFE OF SARAH В. COCHRAN. Ms Hess shared stories of this amazing woman, Sarah B. Cochran, and her great influence on local history. The event was sold out.

June 28th-29th, will be the 22nd attempt at the reenactment of crossing the Yough, Some years we are unable to cross due to river conditions.

This event reminds us of the important influence our local history has had upon the history of the United States Soldiers were recruited to fight in the Revolutionary War by Colonel William Crawford from the site of our event

We are Looking for Reenactors / Living Historians for Braddock’s Crossing, June 28th to June 29th 2025. This is not a Juried Event.

You may come in on Thursday night (June 26th) to set up or come in early Friday/Saturday morning. And stay until Monday.  (June 30th)

We will see to it that firewood is available. There is a restroom available in the spring house on our property. We would also like to make public an hourly schedule of events, as we get closer to the event, so that something special is happening all day to attract visitors.  

The Spring House is outfitted with a private restroom. And modern kitchen amenities. (Fridge, Stove, Oven, Cabinets) The Historical Society will be selling food out of the Spring House during the event. There is also a Comfort Inn hotel, Valley Dairy, Melody Motor Lodge, Dollar Tree, & Martin’s grocery nearby.

You should be in period costume, if possible, and if you sell an item or items, they must be a copy of what would have been available during the time period depicted. Alcohol is not permitted on the grounds. The grounds will be monitored by CPD (Connellsville Police Department) at all hours for the two-day event.

Offenders will be removed from the property. Camping is allowed only to Participants / Society Members. We will have a live firing event twice both Saturday and sunday. 

Efforts will be made to keep the area free from those who intrude on re-enactors’ privacy after the publicized time of the event.

Last year we were able to cross the Youghiogheny for a second year in a row! We are hopeful to do it again depending on River conditions. I will be needing people who are willing to lead the march across the Yough if things go well again this June, This requires carrying the British flag and leading those who wish to cross the river. 

For the river crossing we Have the support of the local swiftwater rescue teams to ensure safety of all participants. 

This is a unique experience and sets the Connellsville event apart as different from most other re-enactments. Let us know if you plan on camping out at the site.

Firewood will be provided. Help us to continue this event. We are looking forward to hearing from you.