French Heritage Days at Old Fort Niagara

Description

The French were the first Europeans to explore the Niagara Region and Old Fort Niagara highlights this early history with two days of living history programs and demonstrations. 

The program continues on Saturday, November 2 with programs for the public. 

New this year will be reenactors from Montreal explaining 17th century military engineering and siege craft. Other demonstrations will include the fur trade, mounting the guard, travel, foodways, religion, Native American diplomacy, songs and stories, French frontier architecture, clothing, glass manufacture, and musket manufacture.

Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in hands-on programs like mounting the guard, military drill and singing a French song from the eighteenth century. The fort also presents its popular musket and artillery demonstrations throughout the day.

Although French occupation of the Niagara lasted just 33 years, the early explorers and soldiers left an indelible impression on the Niagara region. From place names like LaSalle to Old Fort Niagara’s original French-built structures, the French left their mark on the area.