Fort Wellington National Historic Site — Attraction in Ontario

Fort Wellington National Historic Site is a historic military fortification located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River at Prescott, Ontario. The military fortification was used by the British Army, and the Canadian militia for most of the 19th century, and by the militia in the 20th century, until 1923, when the property was handed over to the Dominion Parks Commission, the predecessor to Parks Canada. The fort was earlier named a National Historic Site of Canada on January 1920.

Built in the midst of the War of 1812, the British commissioned the construction of the fortification in 1813 to protect the head of the Gallop Rapids in the St. Lawrence. Completed in 1814, the fort was abandoned by the British shortly after the war, although it formally remained the property of the British Board of Ordnance. The British commissioned the construction of a new fort, on top of the earthwork of the first fort in 1838, during the onset of the Rebellions of 1837–1838. Completed in 1839, the fort was used by the British Army, and the Canadian Militia.

The fort was used by the British until 1863, when British units left the area, making the militia the fort's sole occupant. The militia continued to use the fort until 1923, when it handed over the property to the Dominion Parks Branch, the predecessor to Parks Canada. As a National Historic Site, Fort Wellington operates as a historical...

I took my kids to Fort Wellington with a group of home schoolers for a planned tour. We had 30 families and they put us into four groups and had all four groups do the educational tour at different spots at the same time. It is not a big fort but everything ran very smoothly. The activities were interesting and well-planned. There was a wide age range of kids from toddler to about 16 years old but they managed to make it work for all those ages. The staff were all very friendly and helpful; our guide (Emily) was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and was great with the kids.

Very clean site, well-maintained (they were doing maintenance while we were there and it had very little impact on our enjoyment of the site). Our tour was 2 hours long and then we were free to go back and check out the fort on our own which we spent another half hour doing. There are kid-sized uniforms to wear in the barracks and plenty of interesting details in the rooms on the main floor of the blockhouse.

As it is a small fort, I wouldn't plan to spend a long time there, especially if you are with small kids. You could do it all in under an hour. There is a bit more inside but we didn't get to it. There is also a small gift shop. The hill and lawn outside were great...

History buffs, look no further! Fort Wellington in Prescott offers a fascinating window into Canada's War of 1812 past. This well-preserved fort stands guard over the St. Lawrence River, offering stunning views and a chance to step back in time. The star of the show is the blockhouse, a single-story structure that housed soldiers and officers. Guided tours bring the fort's history to life, detailing its role in the war and the lives of those who served there. Informative displays and costumed interpreters further enhance the experience. While some upper areas may be closed due to staffing (check beforehand), exploring the earthworks, gun placements, and recreated soldiers' quarters provides a vivid picture of life at the fort. Don't miss the visitor center, which houses a gunboat and interesting exhibits on the fort's construction and significance. Though not a massive site, Fort Wellington packs a punch with its historical importance. It's a perfect spot for a family outing or a solo delve into Canadian history. Just be aware that tours can fill up, so plan your visit...