Old Fort Niagara will host a special event entitled Reverberations of Revolution on July 22-23, 2023. The two-day event will focus on the War for Independence on the New York Frontier. Visitors will learn about weapons and tactics of the American Revolution and Fort Niagara’s role in the conflict.

Although far from the theaters of combat, Fort Niagara played a significant role in the war. The fort was held by the British and served as a base for raids against the New York and Pennsylvania frontiers. British frontier diplomats concluded important treaties with Native American allies at the fort and the area around the fort became a destination for thousands of loyalist refugees.

Programs begin at 10:00 a.m. each day with the raising of colors of the United States and Great Britain. At 11:00 a.m., reenactors portraying British redcoats will demonstrate military tactics of the era, dispelling myths that British soldiers lacked the skills to fight in North America.

Raids on frontier settlements often brought back prisoners and visitors will witness the narratives of these captives at 11:30 a.m. This will be followed by an artillery demonstration at Noon and infantry tactical demonstration at 1:00 p.m.

Due to ongoing violence on the New York frontier, many refugees who were loyal to King George III fled to Fort Niagara. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about these displaced persons in an interactive program at 1:30 p.m. An artillery firing demonstration will take place at 2:00 p.m. and a concert of military music will be presented at 2:30 p.m.

At 3:00 p.m., reenactors will demonstrate the difference between muskets and rifles and explain why most soldiers in the conflict were armed with the former. This will be followed by a presentation at 3:30 p.m. on the Native American experience during the Revolution.

A musket demonstration will end the day, with an explanation of how a flintlock musket works and how it determined the tactics used on the battlefield.

Ongoing programs throughout the day include 18th century games, soldier life, defending the New York frontier and the fur trade.