Winter Woods Battle
Join the soldiers of Fort Niagara's garrison as they demonstrate how 18th century people dealt with a long western New York winter. Activities include winter shelter building, Native American games and customs, snowshoeing (weather permitting), soldier life, fire-starting and other winter skills. The event includes special hands-on activities for families. At 2:00 p.m. venture out into the woods and witness a winter skirmish between French and British forces.
Program Schedule
10:00 a.m.—Noon: A Winter's Project: Cordwaining- Sir William Johnson (SWJ) Room
10:00 a.m. – Noon: Quill Penmanship – SWJ Room
10:00 a.m.—Noon: Winter Games
10:00 a.m. – Noon: Native Songs and Stories
10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.: Food on the Frontier- Boulangerie
10:15 a.m.: Musket Firing
11:00 a.m.: Fur Trading Demonstration – Trade Room
11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.: Food for sale in the Log Cabin
11:15 a.m.: Musket Firing
11:30 a.m.: Winter Survival in the Fort and on the Trail – Lower Guard Room
Noon: Start a Fire with Flint and Steel – Lower Guard Room
12:15 p.m.: Musket Firing
12:30 p.m.: Shelter Building – Outside French Castle
1:00 p.m.: Tinsmithing- Make and Take a Tin Ornament – Provisions Storehouse
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Quill Penmanship- SWJ Room
1:15 p.m.: Musket Firing
1:30 p.m.: The History of the Snowshoe – Log Cabin - presented by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
2:00 p.m.: The Expedition – Meet at Log Cabin. Take a hike into the woods and witness a skirmish between French soldiers and British rangers and provincial troops. This is a one mile hike. Please wear practical footwear and dress for the weather. For those who do not wish to take the hike, activities at the fort will continue through the afternoon.
2:00 p.m.: Fur Trading Demonstration – Trade Room
2:00—3:30 p.m.: A Winter's Project: Cordwaining– SWJ Room
2:00—3:30 p.m.: Winter Games
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Native Songs and Stories
2:15 p.m.: Musket Firing
3:15 p.m.: Musket Firing
4:00 p.m.: Musket Firing
This program is included in the regular fort admission fee. Members of the Old Fort Niagara Association are admitted free.
Hours of Operation
January 13 through March, Open Wednesday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
April 1- June 30, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
July and August, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
September 1 - October 15, Open Daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
October 16 - December 31, Open Wednesday through Sunday (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays) 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The fort will be open daily during Christmas week, December 26 - 31.
Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
General Admission
Adults: |
$20.00 |
Children (6 to 12 years) |
$12.00 |
Children (5 and under): |
FREE |
Support the Fort
Old Fort Niagara is operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association, an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1927. We do not rely on tax dollars. Instead, the Fort is funded through a combination of admission fees, museum shop sales, and charitable contributions.
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