EVANS CITY — History buffs and hikers of all ages can take a "Walk in the Woods with George Washington" on Saturday morning as Providence Plantation commemorates the 255th Anniversary of Washington's travels through Butler County.

The event will start at 10 a.m. at the Plantation, 300 Textor Hill Road, with a slide show and presentation about Washington's travels through the county in 1753.

The 21-year old Washington took this trip into what was then Indian country to confront the French who were building forts on land claimed by England and the Virginia Colony. The findings of his trip, and his attempted murder by an Indian, were instrumental in the start of the French and Indian War less than a year later.

Following the presentation by Providence Plantation director Carl Robertson, participants will drive several miles to a trail head parking area, a half mile north of the intersection of Upper Harmony Road and Highway 528 in Connoquenessing Township.

The hike, which will begin at 11 a.m., will be led by re-enactors portraying Washington, his guide Christopher Gist, and several Indians.

The one-hour hike travels through woods and fields, closely following the original Venango Path, an Indian trail historians believe Washington and Gist used. Journals from both Washington and Gist discuss events of that fateful day, Dec. 27, 1753, including Washington's close brush with death from an Indian bullet. That shooting will be reenacted at the end of the hike.

Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

For more information and to RSVP for the presentation and/or hike, contact Providence Plantation by calling 724-538-8818 or visiting the Web site, www.frontier-history.org. The program is free, but donations are accepted.