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Old Fort Niagara Hosts French and Indian War Encampment Being Held July 4-5-6, 2014

by remerson

Hundreds of Reenactors will gather to recreate Siege of 1759

Mon, Jun 23rd 2014 06:10 pm

Old Fort Niagara will hold its 35th annual French and Indian War Encampment on July 4-5-6, 2014. The event is the largest reenactment of the year at the Fort and features hundreds of authentically clad French, British and Native American participants.

Recreating the historic siege of Fort Niagara in 1759, the event features large-scale battle reenactments at 2:00 p.m. each day, expansive living history camps, period music, hands-on activities for kids and dozens of 18th century artisans and merchants. New this year will be a woodland reenactment of the crucial battle of La Belle Famille and a recreation of the funeral of General John Prideaux, the British commander who was killed during the siege.

The event begins on the morning of Friday, July 4 when all of the troops and Native warriors assemble for a grand parade and trooping of the colors. This is followed by a French and Indian attack on a frontier settlement. Next, young people will have a chance to "enlist" in the New York Provincial forces to help the British capture Fort Niagara from the French. At noon the British Indian agent, Sir William Johnson, will council with leaders of the Six Nations to secure their support for an attack on Fort Niagara. At 2:00 p.m. both sides will mass their troops for a battle reenactment that recreates a British assault on Fort Niagara's outer walls. Then at 3:00 p.m. French artillery will fire in a deafening bombardment.

The event's second day will open with a Native American lacrosse game, followed by a dramatic recreation of a council between Native leaders and the Fort's commander, in which the French persuade the Natives to withdraw from the British side. At noon, visitors will learn about the nuts and bolts of 18th century siege warfare as British engineers demonstrate how a besieging army dug their way toward the Fort's outer walls. This will be followed by an artillery demonstration involving multiple guns, howitzers and mortars. At 2:00 p.m. The French will launch a counterattack hoping to drive the British army away from the Fort. Following the battle, reenactors will present two programs; Kids Drill, a chance for young people to enlist in the Fort's garrison and 18th Century Games. At 3:30 pm. French artillery will once again open fire, portraying the increasingly desperate situation of the Fort's defenders.

On Sunday, July 6, visitors will witness the Fort's capture much as it happened in late July 1759. Activities begin at 11:00 a.m. with a reenactment of the Battle of La Belle Famille, a crucial engagement that determined the fate of the Fort. A new venue for this event will more closely recreate the terrain in which the original battle occurred 255 years ago. Visitors are urged to arrive at the Fort by 10:00 a.m. to catch the shuttles to the nearby battle site. Visitors will also witness artillery demonstrations and military music throughout the day. At 2:00 p.m. the British make their final assault on the Fort, this time capturing the outer works and forcing the French to surrender. Following surrender ceremonies and the exit of the French garrison, the British inter their commander, who was killed during the siege.

The French and Indian War was fought between 1754 and 1760, two decades before the American Revolution. Under the terms of the treaty that ended the war, Britain took control of Canada and the Great Lakes region. The war's cost led to new taxes on the King's American subjects that spawned political unrest in the 13 Colonies. Colonists like George Washington gained their first military experience during the conflict, experience that would serve them well during the subsequent War for American Independence.

Admission to the event is $13.00 per person. For a full schedule of activities visit the special events page.  

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

 

 

 

 

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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.

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