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Local re-enactor to appear at library main branch on Monday, Aug. 25

Local re-enactor Randy Bellamy will appear at the Huntington City-Township Public Library's main library branch as a 17th-century French courier du bois on Monday, Aug. 25, at 6:30 p.m.

Bellamy, who has been a re-enactor for 23 years, often portrays his courier du bois, or Great Lakes fur trader and trapper, character at local and regional historical events such as the Forks of the Wabash Pioneer Festival in Huntington, and the Five Medals Gathering in New Paris.

In the 17th century, the French-language term courier du bois or "runner of the woods" was used to describe an independent, entrepreneurial French-Canadian woodsman who voyaged into the wilderness of New France and the interior of North America and engaged in (often illegal) trading with Native Americans, usually trading various European items for furs, especially beaver pelts. The term is often confused with voyageurs who, rather than being unlicensed entrepreneurs, were the canoe travel workers for licensed fur traders.

The most prominent couriers des bois were also explorers and gained fame as such.

This event is free and open to all ages. No registration is required.

For more information, contact the Huntington City-Township Public Library at 356-0824, or by emailing ask@hctpl.info.