TYRONE — This month’s Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast club features Fort Roberdeau director Glenn Nelson and Blair County Historical Society Chairman Jim Lowe as its guest speakers Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Elk’s Lodge No. 212.

According to Rose Black, the chamber’s executive director, Nelson is expected to provide insight about how Fort Roberdeau most likely became the first dedicated lead mine military operation in the United States, tying the Tyrone Area to the nation’s success in the American Revolutionary War.

Early in the war, the Continental Army’s officers, led by General George Washington, were concerned about the colonies’ supply of lead, which was needed for musket balls, rifle slugs and other things, Nelson said.

Things weren’t going so well during the early part of the war, as the British Navy had a good blockade on the colonies’ major ports, Nelson said, noting the French and the Dutch “really hadn’t started to contribute” to the war yet.

The Continental Army started looking for domestic supplies of lead, Nelson said, adding former Pennsylvania Congressman Daniel Roberdeau was familiar with lead mining operations in Sinking Valley.

Roberdeau organized and financed a good part of the expedition into Sinking Valley and found the lead mine fort he was looking for where Fort Roberdeau is located today, Nelson said.

“That’s pretty cool,” Nelson said.

“I think what’s so fascinating is that people don’t realize what a big deal and a real deal that Fort Roberdeau represents in the war of independence,” he said. “We actually believe that we were the first strictly military lead mining operation of the United States.”

The mine began operation in May 1778, Nelson said.

Nelson is also expected to discuss how the original fort was much bigger than today’s restored fort. The restoration project to turn the fort into a tourist attraction and education center was Blair County’s bicentennial project, he said, noting all 67 counties were given funding in 1974 for bicentennial projects.

While there are plans to celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial at Fort Roberdeau this year, Nelson said people at the fort are also proud to celebrate their 50-year anniversary as Blair County’s bicentennial project.

Part of the events include a legacy weekend June 12-14, Nelson said.

Friday, June 12, will be a private reception for the county’s commissioners from 1974 to present, documented descendants of Roberdeau and people who have worked at the fort over the last 50 years.

The fort will host a frontier day event Saturday, June 13. During that event, frontier skills such as weaving, cooking and food preparation will be demonstrated and a military unit group will garrison the fort so people can experience what frontier life was like, Nelson said.

Sunday, June 14, is the Continental Army’s birthday, Nelson said, noting the army was established June 14, 1775.

The Fort will also host the traditional star-spangled fourth event on the Fourth of July, he said.

The event will feature an interactive rotation through educational stations run by volunteers throughout the day, Nelson said, adding kids will have an opportunity to become Fort Roberdeau recruits and ring the Liberty Bell.

Afterward, county and state officials will read the Declaration of Independence and people will be invited to celebrate Independence Day with cake at White Oak Hall. Officials don’t have an exact agenda for the event and have not decided if there will be a sheet cake or cupcakes, Nelson said.

Black said she is looking forward to Thursday’s event and hearing Nelson’s stories about the fort — how it started and its significance to Tyrone.

A buffet-style breakfast will be served, starting about 7:30 a.m., prior to Nelson’s presentation.

Although reservations made to the chamber’s office at 814-684-0736 are appreciated, walk-ins are welcome, Black said, noting you do not have to be a chamber member to attend the breakfast club events.

The cost is $15 per person, she said.

During the event, Lowe will discuss his book, “A Revolutionary History of Blair County.” Copies of the book will be available to purchase for $25, with $20 of the proceeds going to the America250PA-Blair County committee and $5 going to Fort Roberdeau.

Lowe will stick around after the presentation to sign copies of his book for chamber members, Black said.

If you go

What: Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast club

When: A buffet-style breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19. A presentation from Fort Roberdeau

director Glenn Nelson will begin shortly afterward.

Where: The Tyrone Elk’s Lodge No. 212, 5496 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., Tyrone.

Cost: $15 per person. Reservations are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. People do not have to belong to the chamber to attend the event. For additional information, call Rose or Joyce at 814-684-0736 or email rose@tyronechamber.com