A new chapter in Ohio’s Revolutionary War history is taking shape at Fort Laurens in Bolivar.
The Ohio History Connection recently unveiled a rendering showing plans for a partial reconstruction of Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort, including its original stockade wall.
Diana Welling, State Historic Preservation Officer and executive sponsor of the Fort Laurens 250 project, says the design is based on archaeological research conducted over the past two years.
Researchers documented 310 post stains along the fort’s original wall, helping determine the size and placement of timbers needed for the reconstruction. Plans call for approximately 1,180 black locust timbers, chosen for their resistance to rot. Former Fort Laurens site director and project coordinator Tanner Immel says thanks to the ongoing archaeological work, the fort’s design has now been confirmed to follow French and British military standards of the era, underscoring its importance as a true frontier outpost during the American Revolution.
The reconstruction is part of a nearly $6 million renovation project that includes upgrades to the site’s museum, new exhibits, improvements to the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot of the American Revolution, and continued archaeological research. Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Dee Grossman expects the reconstruction to boost tourism and enhance future historical events tied to the county’s Revolutionary War heritage. She feels the rendering should get people excited.
Construction is expected to begin next summer, with the overall project scheduled for completion by November 2028, in time for the 250th anniversary of the fort’s founding.
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