Relive the historic Siege of 1759 when British forces captured Fort Niagara from the French. This is Old Fort Niagara's largest and most colorful event of the year. Witness large-scale battle reenactments, stroll through period camps, admire the work of skilled artisans, shop for period merchandise and thrill to the sounds of fifes and drums. Admission is $21.00 per person.

Event Schedule:

Saturday, July 1

10:00 a.m. Trooping of the Colors - Witness this centuries old military ceremony in which regimental colors are paraded in front of the troops.

11:00 a.m. British Engineers Reconnoiter the Fort - Attacking an 18th century fort was a complicated business. Trained engineers determine the best way to attack Fort Niagara. The French fire back.

11:30 a.m. Artillery Firing Demonstration 

12:30 p.m.Military Engineering Demonstration

1:00 p.m. Military Music -  

Fifes and drums were important parts of 18th century armies. Discover the role they played in battle and in garrison and listen to common duty calls as well as popular songs from the mid-18th century. 

2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment

On July 6, 1759, French hunters were surprised by British troops and Native allies who had landed just four miles to the east. As the battle unfolds, French troops try to hold back the British advance and take up positions in the fort's extensive outer works. 

3:00 p.m. Military Nursing in the French and Indian War

Witness how armies dealt with sick and wounded soldiers.

4:00 p.m. Artillery Firing Demonstration - Soldiers fire the powerful cannons of the Dauphin Battery. This battery was built by the French in 1756 and mounts five guns- two 12-pounders and three 6-pounders.

Sunday July 2

10:00 a.m. British Native Council- Discover how diplomacy played a major role in the campaign to capture Fort Niagara. Over the winter of 1758-59, Sir William Johnson, the British Crown's Indian Agent, secured the assistance of some 945 Haudenosaunee warriors. These men would play a key role in conducting a successful siege. 

11:00 a.m. Siege Tour and Military Engineering Demonstration- Discover the "nuts and bolts" of an 18th century siege on this guided tour. Attacking a well-fortified position like Fort Niagara over open ground would have been suicide. Learn how the British dug a series of trenches and artillery batteries to approach the fort under cover. Find out how the French tried to slow them down. 

1:00 p.m. Military Music- Learn about the role music played in the 18th century military. Enjoy duty calls and musical entertainment

1:30 Rutherford's Embassy- Captain Walter Rutherford delivers a surrender demand to Captain Pierre Pouchot.

2:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment

As the British tighten their grip on Fort Niagara, French soldiers impetuously counterattack, driving the British from their lines. 

3:00 p.m. Nursing Demonstration

4:00 p.m. Artillery Firing Demonstration

Monday, July 3

10:00 a.m. French Native Council

Witness the negotiations between the fort's commander, Captain Pierre Pouchot, and his Seneca ally, Kaendae, as he works to remove the British-allied Natives from the siege. Hear the dialogue in the original languages, translated by an interpreter. 

11:30 The Battle of La Belle Famille- Early on the morning of July 24, a French relief column attempts to break through to Fort Niagara and relieve the siege. Watch the recreation of this decisive battle that determined the fate of Fort Niagara 

1:00 p.m. Military Music

2:00 p.m. Artillery Demonstration

3:00 p.m. Battle Reenactment

With artillery batteries just 100 yards from the fort's outer walls, British forces pound the French defenders. British troops advance and force the fort to surrender.

3:30 p.m. Surrender Ceremony

Surrender negotiations took place throughout the night of July 24/25. On the morning of the 25th British soldiers took the place of Frenchmen at the fort's guard posts. The Union Jack was raised over Fort Niagara as the departing French formed a large square to protect themselves from insult. Watch the recreation of this dramatic event that saw the end of a generation-long French occupation of Fort Niagara and the Niagara region.

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