Rush Bagot Treaty Bicentennial

Fri Apr 28th, 2017 - 11 am to 12 pm
Come celebrate the world's longest undefended border!

 April 28 marks the 200th Anniversary of the Rush Bagot Treaty, an agreement between the United States and Great Britain limiting naval armaments on the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. Its origins can be traced to an exchange of letters between Acting United States Secretary of State Richard Rush and the British Minister to Washington, Sir Charles Bagot, which were exchanged and signed April 28 and 29, 1817. After the terms were agreed upon by Rush and Bagot, the agreement was unofficially recognized by both countries. It was ratified by the U.S. Senate on April 16, 1818.

The eventual outcome of the treaty was the demilitarization of the U.S. Canadian border.

On April 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. the public is invited to gather at the Rush Bagot Monument at Old Fort Niagara to commemorate the historic treaty. Admission to the program is free. Ceremonies will include the advancement of colors and national anthems of Great Britain, Canada and the United States, remarks by officials, a brief history of the treaty and its significance and a rededication of the Rush Bagot Monument, erected in 1934.


In the early evening hours of October 31, 1780, the British sloop of war HMS Ontario (pictured here) sank with over 120 men, women, children and prisoners on board during a sudden and violent gale. The Ontario had departed earlier in the day from Fort Niagara - Picture credit Pinterest

 

General Events Event

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.

Donate today!

 

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