Fort George National Historic Site — Attraction in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Experience here was a bit of a mixed bag.

The Good:

The fort itself is cool to look at and the buildings are mostly open and set as they would have been at the time.

The musket guy was great, I forget his name. A guy probably in his 50s with blonde hair. Excellent sense of humour and delivered the demonstration brilliantly.

The Bad:

After the excellent musket demo, my group went to the officers talk, expecting the same. Unfortunately it was not. The manager of the entire place gave the talk and it was not good at all.

The talk was a moral lecture on the evils of the British and how the true heros are the indigenous people of the area. You'd be forgiven for thinking the war of 1812 didn't involve the Americans at all, according to this armchair historian champagne socialist.

This guy took every chance he could to lecture the bewildered audience on how the British were evil. The Quebec act he suspected wasn't an effort for equal treatment but a long sighted attempt at assimilation. No, gaurenteeing language, law and religion is not an attempt at cultural genocide.

No context for the war of 1812 was given whatsoever. Many of the visitors were from outside of North America, so had no idea why the evil British were defending their stolen unceded land in the first place.

How this man was given a director role at this small organisation is beyond me.

A word of advice to the managing director. Teach history, don't preach it. Keep your half baked political interpretations out of history and leave it to the audience to come to their own conclusion.

And for a 20 minute talk, 5 minutes for a land acknowledgement seems a bit much. Ask yourself if wasting people's time and forcing this on people who havent signed up for it is doing the adverse for community relations.

The Takeaway:

Check out the musket demonstration and the really cool well maintained fort. Skip the diabolical...

Fort George National Historic Site, located at the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, is a mesmerizing journey back in time, a place where Canada's rich military past comes alive before your very eyes. This fort, standing as a testament to the strategic importance of the Niagara Peninsula during the War of 1812, offers an immersive experience like no other.

From the moment you cross its gates, the authentically reconstructed wooden palisades and earthen ramparts transport you to a bygone era. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, donning period-correct uniforms, guide visitors through the barracks, officers' quarters, and powder magazines, painting a vivid picture of life during wartime.

The musket demonstrations and the resonating sounds of the fife and drum make history palpable. The fort doesn't just tell stories; it allows you to feel, hear, and even smell the past. For the avid history enthusiast, the extensive collection of artifacts and detailed exhibits offer an in-depth understanding of the events, strategies, and personalities that shaped this region's destiny.

But beyond the historical importance, Fort George also offers scenic beauty. Overlooking the serene waters of the Niagara River, the fort's grounds are meticulously maintained and provide a lovely spot for picnics and relaxation. The vistas, especially during sunset, are absolutely enchanting.

Just a stone's throw away from the main streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Fort George effortlessly combines education, entertainment, and tranquility. Whether you're a history buff, a school group, or a family looking for an enlightening day out, Fort George National Historic Site promises a journey filled with discovery, reflection, and reverence. A must-visit when in the...

We visited Sunday May 26th, 2024 by chance. We went to Niagara on the lake and thought the Fort looked cool. First, this sight is dedicated to the fighting that happened between the Americans and Canada in the War of 1812. The Americans captured and destroyed the fort before the British and Canadians drove them back.

It was about $10 usd to get in.

First, this place is really neat, and I highly recommend going. The era collection and demonstrations they have are incredible. The staff is all very friendly and knowledgeable. You can’t help but feel like you’re having fun learning history. A special shoutout to the staff doing artillery and rifle demonstrations around 2pm. The artillery speaker has amazing public speaking skills and humor. The rifle and musket demonstrators are really good too. You can ask them questions afterwards or get your pictures taken with them free of charge. These guys are all history buffs, and you can definitely tell they enjoy their jobs. The staff alone is 10/10.

The site is a recreated fort that originally stood there. It is full of artifacts from life as a soldier during the war of 1812. Live actors walk around during the day in period appropriate attire. It is not the most extensive war museum, but it is a really neat fort with quite a bit of cool things to see. Also, I saw a lot of bicycles riding in the area around the fort. If we’d have known or weren’t on vacation to Niagara Falls we’d have brought ours. The area is really pretty.

Overall, I’d give it 10/10. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but if you’re in the area or have an extra day to burn in Niagara Falls, I’d recommend checking this place out. One caveat, no alcohol sold at the gift shop for those wondering 🙂....