Many of us that have been going through the gates of Fort Mifflin for many years look at her as on old friend. We get used to the many scenes that we see every time that we walk through the gates, into the buildings, and even our favorite places in the Fort. But how many of us see the true beauty of the scenes that we take in? Yes we see the columns rotting or the newly painted windows, we take in the dark, cold and depressing places of confinement.

In the past two years since I have been somewhat self employed I have taken a new look at our wonderful historic Fort and have looked at her with new eyes. I have taken the opportunity to paint or draw several of the buildings and some scenes of the Fort. Two such scenes have taken prizes at local juried art shows. One of the two was even accepted out of 300 entries to exhibit last year at the Keystone National. That painting is titled “Out of the Darkness” and can be viewed on the Olde Fort Mifflin Historical Society facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189797&id=142073823611&saved#!/album.php?aid=189797&id=142073823611

The other painting is a scene few of us get to see. That is the magazines as part of the High Battery just south of the Fort walls. To get there you must cross the moat and walk along the sea wall. The best time is when the brush has died back and the mosquito population is diminished along with the gnats. However, I went back there last summer and quickly sketched a few of the scenes and then took photos for reference because the insects outnumbered me almost as the British had outnumbered the garrison in November of 1777. The finished scene actually started as a pen & ink drawing for the second series of note cards that are waiting for production. From that drawing I transferred it to a watercolor block and started to experiment with the use of masking fluids and a new set of Winsor & Newton watercolors. The finished piece is titled “Old Mag” and this received Honorable Mention in the Graphics category at the Spring Exhibit of the North Penn Art Alliance.

Our webmaster asked that I post the prize, but I feel that it is more important to point out that we have beautiful scenes at Fort Mifflin. I am not the only one that has painted scenes of the Fort. There were paintings done of the Fort throughout the end of the 18th Century and it continued through the 19th Century. The most famous painting of the Fort was done by Brigadier General Seth Eastman who served in his retirement at Fort Mifflin from December 1864 until August 1865. His paintings of the Plains Indians and the many Forts that he served at remain as a living tribute to him. Many modern and contemporary local artist and photographers have also taken scenes or produced works of art around their experience at the Fort. So as we move forward and we watch the Fort that we love gracefully show her 239 years, let us look at the beauty and also see how we can continue to support her and the many programs that can be provided for anyone of any interest.

Enjoy the painting and look for the many beautiful scenes that you will see at Fort Mifflin.