WOLFEBORO — Step back in time this weekend — about 250 years — and enjoy the first Wolfeboro Historical Society Colonial Family Day and re-enactors of the French and Indian War.

The Wolfeboro Historical Society and the Parks and Recreation Department are cosponsoring the event on Saturday with a flea market starting at 8 a.m. and other events open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The re-enactors with the Pequawket Alliance arrive Thursday, July 12, and stay through noon on Sunday. The encampment should be in full swing by midday Friday.

This is the re-enactors' third year visiting Wolfeboro, and organizers said the event was integrated with Colonial Family Day in July to avoid schedule conflicts and to open the event to more visitors.

The encampment and Colonial Family Day activities will be at the Clark House Museum complex, across from Huggins Hospital on South Main Street.

Ted Wright of Tuftonboro, a re-enactor who portrays a French officer under the command of Gen. de Montcalm, said American history books largely ignore the period of the war, but that it was a major turning point that paved the way for the American Revolution.

“It's all about educating the public about a period lost in history; it's not taught in schools; it's before the American Revolution and it's part of English history,” he said. Wright's own family has deep roots New England — his ancestors came to America in 1628 and founded Woburn, Mass., in 1640.

“The era was glossed over, but it was really important. It was what led up to the American Revolution,” he said, adding that the money the British spent trying to protect the French in Canada led the British government to bankruptcy; subsequently, the British government raised taxes that led to revolt in the new colonies. When the French departed Canada, it lifted Britain's focus on the north and “Americans could revolt,” said Wright.

Less than a dozen re-enactors are expected this weekend so the camp will be confined to a small space and no battles will be fought, nor cannons fired. However, the public is invited to interact with the re-enactors and ask questions. Demonstrations will include musket loading and firing, campfire cooking, and sewing, as well as historical presentations with Gen. Wolfe and Gov. Benning Wentworth.

Wolfeboro Historical Society President Jim Rogers said while Colonial Family Days were held all the time in the 1800s, this is the first one in contemporary times in Wolfeboro. There will be much going on during the family-oriented event.

The Clark House and grounds will be open to the public for tours, games, wagon rides, crafts demonstrations, Colonial schoolhouse and science lessons, and a farmers market.

There are 12 separate crafts demonstrations — from making candles to shoeing horses — and games, including horseshoes, hoop and stick, whirligig making, apple bobbing, sack races and a ring toss. In addition, there will be music featuring the popular songs of the era.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 per family at Avery Insurance, Black's Paper and Gift Store, town hall or at the Wolfeboro Historical Society's firehouse. At Tickets are $7 per family at the door. Tickets for seniors are $2.50.

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Larissa Mulkern may be reached at LMulkern@newstote.com.