About

The Winchester-Frederick County VA250 Committee is delighted to host this enthralling presentation by Dr. Carl Ekberg on George Washington's confrontation with the French at Jumonville Glen in 1754. Beginning in 1754 and until the end of his life, George Washington had intense relationships with Frenchmen—as adversaries, as allies, and as friends. Though often forgotten, this particular part of Washington's life was significant in the development of his career and ultimately in producing the grand victory over the British at Yorktown in 1781. Dr. Ekberg's presentation will explore George Washington's relationships with the Frenchmen who were most important in influencing his career, and therefore, the most important in the creation of the United States during the American Revolution.

Dr. Ekberg is a Professor of History Emeritus at Illinois State University. He holds a PhD from Rutgers University and an M.A. from the University of Minnesota. He is the author of many books on French Colonial History and served on the board of the French and Indian War Foundation for over 15 years. In addition to numerous other awards, he has been decorated by the French government as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques and received the distinguished La Médaille d’Or du Mérite Francophone in 2014. Dr. Ekberg resides in Winchester with his wife, Gloria.