History Alive programs

Ostenaco (ca. 1703-1790), Cherokee leader, will be portrayed by Doug Wood of Nitro at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 4 at Cacapon State Park Lodge, Berkeley Springs, and Thursday, April 5, 6:30 p.m. at Paw Paw High School.

The presentations are part of the History Alive! program of the West Virginia Humanities Council.

Ostenaco was an important Cherokee ally of Virginia military leaders during the French and Indian War. He was instrumental in recuiting and leading in Indian alliance that provided with the French. His sphere of influence reached over a wide area and his relationships with Virginia leaders contributed to the expansion of English-speaking peoples into present day West Virginia.

Ostenaco is one of the many available character presentations offered through the West Virginia Humanities Council's History Alive! program as a means of exploring history by interacting with noteworthy historical figures. These programs provide audiences with the opportunity to question those who have shaped our history.

Historical characterization is the vehicle for this program. Humanities scholars have carefully researched a variety of sources about the figures they portray such as journals, letters, official documents speeches, autobiographies and research by other scholars in developing their presentation.

The West Virginia Humanities Council is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing educational programs in the humanities for all West Virginia. For over 30 years, the Council has ben providing educational programs in the humanities across the state.

This program is available to interested nonprofit groups such as libraries, museums, and historical societies. For more information call The West Virginia Humanities Council at 346-8500 or visit the website: www.wvhumanities.org.