Fort Frederica National Monument recognizes James E. Oglethorpe’s birthday with holiday open house

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA: Fort Frederica National Monument welcomes you to a
celebration of General James Oglethorpe’s 327th birthday on Saturday, December 16 from
10:00 am – 3:30 pm; continuing the tradition of celebrating the leading figure of the new
colony of Georgia, General James Edward Oglethorpe as he was historically honored on
his birthday in the young settlements of the colony!
“This being Mr. Oglethorpe’s Birthday the Magistrates, military Officers, and principal
Inhabitants, met at the Fort, where some Bottles of Wine and some Biscuit being prepared,
about Noon his Majesty’s Health, and the Royal Family’s were drank, under a Discharge of
thirteen guns; then the honourable Trustees; and next the Captain General of these
Provinces.”
-William Stephens, 1737
Thanks to a partnership with the Northeast Georgia History Center the public can roam
the site and meet with demonstrators representing Mary Musgrove and General James
Oglethorpe! Programs will be offered throughout the day including musket
demonstrations, a live taping of the “Then Again” history podcast, and a toast to the
General himself! Our bookstore will be open for holiday gift shopping, and cups of
warm holiday tea.
“Oglethorpe was the leading figure in the founding of the Georgia colony and his
birthday was a chance for the settlers of Frederica to momentarily step away from the
rigors of frontier life,” says Acting Superintendent Steve Theus. “We hope people will
take a break from the rigors of modern life and join us as we toast General James
Oglethorpe in holiday style.”