About Us 
Formation
The Foundation was established to focus public attention on the early settlement of the American colonies’ western frontier, with particular emphasis on the French and Indian War (1754-1763). George Washington’s leadership skills were forged during this war, preparing him for his role as commander-in-chief of a new nation during and after the American Revolution less than thirteen years later.
The Foundation is located in Winchester, Virginia, where young Colonel Washington, then commander of the Virginia Regiment, established his headquarters for defending the western frontier against allied forces of the French and the Ohio Valley Indians. Here he built Fort Loudoun to marshal and dispatch troops to outlying fortifications that stretched from the Potomac River on the north to the Carolinas on the south. In the region today are the locations of many sites that played a significant role in this conflict.
The Foundation has purchased an antebellum house built on the site of Fort Loudoun in the city of Winchester, In addition to the fort’s northwest quadrant earthworks, this site contains the fort’s well, dug 103 feet through limestone at George Washington’s orders. Several archeological excavations have revealed numerous period artifacts. Ongoing interpretation of the site is a Foundation focus. In addition, the Foundation is moving expeditiously to list the site on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Long-range plans include rehabilitating the house for use as a museum and Foundation offices.