Monday, August 13, 2018

Soldiers of the Revolution at Fort Niagara August 18th & 19th

Old Fort Niagara’s busy season of reenactments continues with Soldiers of the Revolution, August 18 and 19, when the fort’s staff and volunteers will work with visiting reenacting units to share history from the American Revolution on the Niagara Frontier. During this event, visitors will gain an understanding of early America through the perspectives of the colonial rebels versus those who remained loyal to the British crown, called loyalists.

“‘Soldiers of the Revolution’ is the last of the weekend-long reenactments of the season,” said Robert Emerson, Executive Director of the Old Fort Niagara Association. “It’s been our pleasure to welcome new and returning visitors to our large French and Indian War and the War of 1812 encampments this summer, and we invite them back to round out their knowledge of the fort by learning about the American Revolution on the Niagara Frontier.”

Visitors will have opportunities to meet soldier and civilian reenactors from the American and British camps, watch artillery and battle demonstrations, join a tour and learn about the conflict, listen to fifes and drums play period music, peek in on British justice practices and Native ransoms, pick sides for a mock wooden-musket battle, and play period games. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Please note that visitors should arrive an hour before battles to allow time to get through admissions and to the viewing areas.

10:00 a.m.     Formation and Colors Ceremony: Reenactors assemble and present their
        colors (flags)
10:15 a.m.    Manual Exercise: Soldiers practice their skills
10:30 a.m.    Special Tour: Fort Niagara in the American Revolution
11:00 a.m.    Native Refugees: Learn about the fort’s importance to Native refugees
        during the American Revolution
11:30 a.m.    Rifle vs. Musket: Learn about the differences between these weapons
Noon        Artillery Firing Demonstration: Watch the cannons fire!
1:00 p.m.    Music of the American Revolution: Listen to a concert of fifes and drums
1:30 p.m.    British Military Justice: Watch a demonstration of how the British would
        punish a soldier for misbehavior
2:00 p.m.    Battle Reenactment: The Colonial Rebels and British Loyalist will fight with
        muskets and artillery
2:30 p.m.    Prisoner Ransom: Native loyalists will bring an American prisoner into the
        fort where he’ll be ransomed by the British Indian Dept.
3:00 p.m.    Recruiting for Kids: Soldiers will recruit visitors to join the loyalist and rebel
        armies (kid friendly)
3:30 p.m.    18th Century Games: Soldiers will invite the public to play games (kid
        friendly)
4, 5 & 6 p.m.    Musket Firing Demonstrations

The Officers’ Club, just outside the fort's footprint, will be open during Soldiers of the Revolution from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. for tours and access to the World War II display. The lighthouse will also be open from noon to 3 p.m.

Food, snacks, drinks and ice cream will be available for sale each day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the log cabin.

The cost to attend the event is $13 for adults, $9 for children ages 6-12, free for children 5 and under, and free to members of the Old Fort Niagara Association.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE FORT:

LIGHTHOUSE Open the Public through October 9 (12-3 p.m. daily)
Free admission for visitors; must be at least 4 feet tall and sign a waiver

HEARTH COOKING CLASS, September 22 and November 3 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Prepare an 18th-century meal at the fort! Instruction, ingredients and meal provided. $50/person ($45/member) Call (716) 745-7611 to register.

Old Fort Niagara (www.oldfortniagara.org) is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in July and August. Admissions end 30 minutes before closing. Old Fort Niagara is a Registered National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association (a not-for-profit organization) in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Photos courtesy Wayne Peters