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Old Fort Niagara Recognizes Volunteers and Recruits New Ones

by Charlotte Clark

James and Cheryl Brown of Lockport are Named "2017 Volunteers of the Year"

Tue, Apr 3rd 2018 02:00 pm

(April 3, 2018) Youngstown, N.Y. – Old Fort Niagara recently hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast and recognized James and Cheryl Brown of Lockport, N.Y., as the “2017 Volunteers of the Year.” This annual event pays homage to the hundreds of people who share their time and talents at the fort as reenactors, docents, special-event helpers, musicians and more. In 2017, volunteers logged 32,950 hours, which the fort values at $494,250.

 

The fort is also ready to augment its corps of volunteers as the staff prepares for a busy 2018 summer season. Docent training dates are set for April 28 and 29.

 

Volunteers of the Year

 

James and Cheryl Brown of Lockport were given special recognition at the annual breakfast as the “2017 Volunteers of the Year” for their active volunteerism at the fort for decades. They support living-history programming at the historic site through their contributions in the fort’s boulangerie and bake house, demonstrating cooking techniques and food for visitors from around the world. They have also assisted by donating historic reproductions that are used in daily programming.

 

“Thanks to Jim and Cheryl, Old Fort Niagara has gained a reputation in the reenactment community as an extremely hospitable venue for living history events,” said Robert Emerson, Executive Director of the Old Fort Niagara Association. “Through their time and talents, they have made Old Fort Niagara and the Niagara Region a better place to live and visit.”

 

Jim and Cheryl regularly support the site’s special events by organizing, supplying, overseeing and serving hundreds of reenactor breakfasts at Old Fort Niagara’s annual French and Indian War Encampment and War of 1812 Encampment. These well-planned breakfasts help make Old Fort Niagara one of North America’s premier reenactor-friendly historic sites. Months of planning and preparation go into these reenactor breakfasts and, during the events, the Browns are busy from early mornings and into the late evenings.

 

“People like the Browns make Old Fort Niagara better,” Mr. Emerson added. “We are so thankful for their generous and humble contributions to this place.”

 

New York State Senator Rob Ortt, New York State Assembly Members Angelo Morinello (District 145) and Mike Norris (District 144), and Niagara County Clerk Joseph A. Jastrzemski also attended the breakfast and helped to recognize the volunteers’ contributions.

 

Docent Training and Volunteer Opportunities

 

Old Fort Niagara’s staff is preparing for a busy summer season and is looking for new volunteers to help as docents (tour guides), who orient visitors to the fort as guides of the day, student field trip guides, and special event guides. Other volunteer opportunities are available and listed below.

 

Volunteer benefits include: free admission to the fort and its programs; free meals for those helping during school tours and special events; and discounts at the Museum Shop. There is a minimal time commitment requirement of eight hours per year.

 

The fort’s staff and veteran docents provide engaging and in-depth training, which is scheduled for April 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and lunch will be provided. Once training is completed, tour scheduling is flexible based on a person’s availability.

 

The list of volunteer opportunities at Old Fort Niagara includes:

  • Docent: Guide tours through the fort for school children and general visitors.
  • Visitor Center Docent: Welcome visitors to the fort and talk to visitors about Visitor Center exhibits.
  • Military Interpreter: Dress in period attire and demonstrate musket firings and soldier life.
  • Foodways Interpreter: Be a part of the fort's historic cooking program and demonstrate 18th and early 19th century foodways for the public.
  • Admissions: Assist with ticket sales and visitor information.
  • Clerical: Phone reception, word processing and other office duties.
  • Exhibits: Assist with the construction of new exhibits and the maintenance of existing ones.
  • Special Events: Assist with crowd control, food service, sales, reenactor registration, etc.
  • Fundraising: Help plan and conduct the site’s annual fund campaign.
  • Marketing: Assist in promoting the site to both local and tourist markets.
  • Clothing Repair: Help maintain the site's large collection of period clothing.
  • Field Music: Play a fife or drum in the fort's regimental field music.

 

To register for docent training or to inquire about volunteering at the fort, please contact Erika Schrader at (716) 745-7611 ext. 221.

 

Upcoming Events

 

Old Fort Niagara’s season begins with Patriots Day Weekend, April 21 and 22, featuring interactive demonstrations about the history of the start of the American Revolution, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

 

Old Fort Niagara (www.oldfortniagara.org) is a Registered National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association, a not-for-profit organization, in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The site is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gates close 30 minutes after the last ticket sale. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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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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