French and Indian War Encampment

Fri Jul 5th, 2019 to Sun Jul 7th, 2019 - All Day
Featured Event
Recreating the Siege of 1759

SPONSORED BY NORTHWEST BANK

 

 

 

 

Hundreds of reenactors converge on Old Fort Niagara to recreate the historic siege of 1759 during the French and Indian War. The event features battle reenactments, siege demonstrations, a large camp of period artisans and merchants, cooking demonstrations, an exhibition of 18th century medicine, living history camps, artillery and musket firings, Native American councils and much more! This is the 40th year for this event, which is one of the largest French and Indian War events in the world. It is also the fort’s largest event of the year.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

1. For safety reasons, the fort is secured 15 minutes before battle times. Plan to arrive well before 1:40 p.m. for the 2:00 p.m. battles.

 

2. Fort Niagara State Park charges an $8.00 parking fee (cash only). Bring your parking receipt/ticket to the fort for an $8.00 credit towards admission to the event. Or, don't worry about parking at all- take the free shuttle- http://www.discoverniagarashuttle.com/

 

3. The Niagara Scenic Parkway is closed north of the Fort Niagara exit due to construction. The Parkway IS OPEN AS FAR AS FORT NIAGARA'S NORTH ENTRANCE. Coming from the south, you can access the fort as normal. If you are coming from the east via Lake Road, follow the detour signs.

 

Friday, July 5

10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony

Witness the Trooping of the Colors as French and British forces mass to recreate this historic military ceremony.

11:00 a.m. Siege Tour

What makes a siege different from a battle? Learn about the nuts and bolts of 18th century siege warfare on this animated walking tour.

11:15 a.m. Skirmish

French hunters are surprised by British soldiers and Native warriors east of the fort.

11:30 a.m.  Siege Demonstration

What begins as a skirmish between advance elements of both armies ends as a full-blown siege of the fort. Learn about military engineering and watch as British infantrymen engage. French defenders man the outworks and begin their resistance. For the next 90 minutes, British and French soldiers and their Native allies, trade musket shots across the glacis.*

*a gently sloping bank, in particular one that slopes down from a fort, exposing attackers to the defenders' fire.

12:30 p.m. Military Music

Hear a concert by the fifes and drums of both armies and discover the role that music played in 18th century military life.

1:00 p.m. Kids Drill

Here's your chance to join the garrison in defense of the fort. Children (of all ages) can take up wooden muskets and practise the military exercise of the era. (Instruction provided).

2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment

French forces strike the British siege lines! The fort's defenders launch an impromptu and spirited sortie* against the British.

*an attack made by troops coming out from a position of defense.

3:30 p.m. Native Council

Learn about the fascinating intricacies of frontier diplomacy. Native warriors inside the fort arrange a council with British-allied warriors and ask them to withdraw from the siege. 

4:00 p.m. Artillery Demonstration

See the firng of the big guns in the fort's Dauphin Battery.

5:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

Learn how a flintlock musket is loaded and fired

6:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

 

Saturday, July 6

10:00 a.m. Siege Tour

What makes a siege different from a battle? Learn about the nuts and bolts of 18th century siege warfare on this animated walking tour.

10:30 a.m.  Native Council 

Discover the fascinating intricacies of frontier diplomacy. Warriors of the Six Nations decide whether to withdraw from the siege.

11:30 a.m.  Siege Demonstration

What begins as a skirmish between advance elements of both armies ends as a full-blown siege of the fort. Learn about military engineering and watch as artillery is moved forward and begins to bombard the fort. French defenders man the outworks and begin their resistance. For the next 90 minutes, British and French soldiers and their Native allies, trade musket shots across the glacis.*

*a gently sloping bank, in particular one that slopes down from a fort, exposing attackers to the defenders' fire.

12:30 p.m. Military Music

Hear a concert by the fifes and drums of both armies and discover the role that music played in 18th century military life.

1:00 p.m. Kids Drill

Here's your chance to join the garrison in defense of the fort. Children (of all ages) can take up wooden muskets and practise the military exercise of the era. (Instruction provided).

2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment

The British make their first attack on the Fort, demonstrating the basics of linear warfare.

2:45 p.m. Siege Tour

What makes a siege different from a battle? Learn about the nuts and bolts of 18th century siege warfare on this animated walking tour.

3:00 p.m. Fur Trading Demonstration

What was the first big business on the Great Lakes? Learn about the dynamics of the fur trade as Native Americans barter with French traders. What kind of goods are being traded? How valuable are different kinds of furs? How did the trade influence cultures of both Native peoples and Europeans? 

4:00 p.m. Artillery Demonstration

See the firng of the big guns in the fort's Dauphin Battery

5:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

Learn how a flintlock musket is loaded and fired

6:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

 

Sunday, July 7

 

9:30 a.m. Church Call

10:30 a.m. Siege Tour

What makes a siege different from a battle? Learn about the nuts and bolts of 18th century siege warfare on this animated walking tour.

11:00 a.m. Battle of La belle Famille

On July 24, 1759, approximately 800 French soldiers and militia tired to break through British lines to relieve the siege of Fort Niagara. See what happens as they encounter British forces posted south of the fort in this dramatic reenactment of the crucial battle that determined the fate of Fort Niagara. 

12:30 p.m. Military Music

Hear a concert by the fifes and drums of both armies and discover the role that music played in 18th century military life.

1:00 p.m. Kids Drill

Here's your chance to join the garrison in defense of the fort. Children (of all ages) can take up wooden muskets and practise the military exercise of the era. (Instruction provided).

2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment

British forces launch their final assault on the fort in this demonstration that reveals the nature of 18th century linear warfare.

2:30 p.m. Surrender Ceremony

French forces must surrender the fort. Discover what happened on July 25, 1759 as the British move into the fort and end 33 years of French occupation.

3:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

4:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

5:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

6:00 p.m. Musket Demonstration

Plus-

A special exhibition of paintings by Robert Griffing

Dozens of period merchants and artisans

18th Century Children’s Games

Cooking Demonstrations

18th Century Medicine 

ADMISSION- $14.00 PER PERSON

Information for Reenactors is here: http://www.oldfortniagara.org/information-for-reenactor

 

 

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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