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Dale Wilson Photo
Main Gate
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Dale Wilson Photo
Musket demonstration by interpreters in period costume.
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Dale Wilson Photo
Youth observe musket firing demonstration.
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Cannon fire exercise.
Story by Darcy Nybo, photos courtesy Parks Canada
Step back in time to Fort George National Historic Site at Niagara-on-the-Lake
When you plan your trip to the Niagara-on-the Lake area, make sure you give yourself a full morning or afternoon to visit the Fort George National Historic Site on the banks of the Niagara River. There is so much to do and see here and it’s a great place to bring the whole family.
Fort George was once the headquarters of the British Army. During the War of 1812, the Americans captured it in the Battle of Fort George. The fort was levelled and the only building to survive was the powder magazine. Seven months later the British recaptured the fort, and it remained a part of what is now Canada.
You wouldn’t know it to look at it; however, back in 1820, even after the British rebuilt the fort, it was left to fall to ruin. It was abandoned and used for agricultural purposes and at one point was part of a golf course. The Canadian Military even used it as a hospital for Camp Niagara. In the 1930s, the original plans of the Royal Engineers were used to reconstruct Fort George as the National Historic site you see today.
Fort George has eight restored buildings, complete with friendly, informed staff in costume who can tell you about life in the garrison over 200 years ago. You can choose to sign up for an education program or group tour, or you can wander at your leisure. Every area of the fort has plenty of information and whenever you come across a costumed interpreter, they’ll give you information on the building or the place you are standing. Fort George is an historic trivia buffs dream! There’s also a great collection of historic artefacts, which add to the feeling of stepping back in time.
Take a peek into the lives of common soldiers and their families as you tour the blockhouses where they shared a cramped living space. Then check out the officers' quarters where upper class English officers lived. Their lives appeared to be quite refined compared to how their troops were forced to live. The stone powder magazine, (the one that survived the Battle of Fort George) is the oldest building in Niagara-on-the-Lake and it also the oldest military building in Ontario.
If you get hungry, head over to the cookhouse behind the officers’ quarters. The chefs there are lively and full of information about what it was like to cook at the time the fort was in use. If you’re lucky – you may even get a cookie!
You’ll probably hear gunfire while you are at Fort George, but don’t worry - you aren’t under attacked. Every weekend in June (and throughout the week in July and August) you can take part in Hands On History. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to dress up like a soldier from 1812 and fire a musket from that war!
Feel the recoil from your gun as the scent of gunpowder fills your nose and the sound of the bang rings in your ears. You do get some training before they put the gun in your hand. First you have to dress the part and put on an authentic soldier’s uniform coat and hat. Then you are taught all about the weapons the army used back in 1812. Once you’ve been properly informed, it’s time to fire the same musket used by British soldiers 200 years ago. You’ll get to take home a photograph of the event, and a memory that will live in your mind forever.
There are plenty of activities for the kids as well. Sign them up for the Fort George Xplorer Program. You may not recognize them once they dress up like soldiers. They get to watch a musket being fired, interact with the Fort George staff (who are appropriately attired in historic clothing), play with historic games and toys and solve a puzzle. Once they’ve completed five of the 13 activities, which could include exploring some of the sunny and scary parts of the fort, they’ll get an official Xplorer Certificate to take home.
Should you arrive in the summer months of July and August, there are military artillery demonstrations and military music. There’s even a CD of the music available for purchase at the gift shop.
There are long standing rumours that Fort George is haunted, and if you are brave enough, you can take part in a Fort George After Dark ghost walk. Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for being one of the most haunted towns in Canada. The most well known stories of ghosts and things that go bump in the night are at the Fort George National Historic Site.
There have been hundreds of reports of paranormal sightings at Fort George, ranging from the friendly spirit of a little girl named Sarah Ann to a much spookier presence known only as The Watcher. The tour takes you from building to building as you learn about what happened to the men stationed here during the War of 1812. Guided, candlelit ghost walks of Fort George happen every Sunday in May and June and Tuesdays and Thursdays for the rest of the summer.
As with any vacation, souvenirs are a must and you’ll find them at the Friends of Fort George Gift Shop inside the Visitors Reception Centre. Here you will find plenty of items that focus on the military and social history of the early 19th century. There are over 500 books on subjects including the War of 1812, First Nation history, children's interests, clothing, cooking and music. There’s also a great selection of gifts and souvenirs including wooden muskets and swords, games, pottery and chinaware, jewellery, musical instruments, toy soldiers, military collectibles and more! Don’t forget to get some fridge magnets and mugs too!
Whenever you decide to go – be sure to plan for at least two hours to tour the entire fort so you can take in all the displays and presentations.