March
- Tavern Night (Mar 9, 2013)
Sorry, Sold Out.
Food, beverages, live music and historical vignettes in an 18th-century tavern. Tickets are $30.00 per person and must be purchased in advance. Call (716) 745-7611 to reserve yours.
- Sugar Maple Walk (U_ikhe_ta_) (Mar 16, 2013)
Special Tour: 5:00 pm
U_ikhe_ta_, or sugar maple trees, have been used for hundreds of years by Haudenosaunee people to collect maple sap for the production of sugar and syrup. Come enjoy an evening walk discussing various trees and their uses. Discover traditional uses for sap and the equipment that was used to turn sap into sugar and syrup. Finish off the evening by enjoying some native storytelling and sample traditional native foods.
To participate, please call (716) 745-7611 and reserve your spot. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Price is $20.00 per person.
April
- Patriots Day Weekend (Apr 20 - Apr 21, 2013)
On April 20-21 visitors to Old Fort Niagara will have the opportunity to explore the beginnings of the American Revolution with a musket firings, storytelling, living history programs and ceremonies honoring veterans of more modern wars.
Patriots’ Day commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord fought April 19, 1775 between British regulars and Massachusetts militia. The day is still a civic holiday in the States of Massachusetts and Maine, although the observance was moved to the third Monday of April in 1969.
The Fort’s Patriots’ Day program will include demonstrations and special exhibits by reenactors portraying British soldiers, American militia and loyalist irregulars.
Although Fort Niagara is 500 miles from Concord, Massachusetts, the Fort claims a direct connection to the fateful events that occurred there in April 1775. Lt. Colonel Francis Smith, who led the British column from Boston to Concord, commanded Fort Niagara from 1772 to 1774.
Patriots Day Schedule (both days)
10:00 am: Assembly- musket drill and firings
11:00 am: Recruiting Demonstration. Join the redcoats or the militia and fight a mock battle.
Noon: Storytelling- Lexington and Concord
1:00 pm: Meet the Soldier
2:00 pm: Drill and Musket Firing Followed by Veterans Honor Ceremony
3:00 pm: Parade and Maneuvers
Veterans (past service or active duty) will be admitted free.
- Civil War Artillery School (Apr 27 - Apr 28, 2013)
Reenactors portraying artillery and infantry soldiers from the Civil War garrison the Fort and hone their martial skills.
May
- French Heritage Day - Printemps (May 3, 2013)
This special program for middle school French and Social Studies students explores the world of New France with learning stations about 17th and 18th century architecture, music, foodways, work, trade, religion, medicine and military life.
Advance reservations necessary. Call Brian at (716) 745-7611 ext. 229 to reserve a spot for your class.
- Ecole du Soldat (May 4 - May 5, 2013)
Reenactors portraying French soldiers and habitants from the mid-18th century garrison the Fort.
- Soldiers through the Ages (May 25 - May 26, 2013)
This "time-line" event traces the occupation of Fort Niagara from the 17th century through World War Two. Special displays and demonstrations explore the uniforms, weapons and equipment of four centuries of soldiers. This year's event will feature a special focus on the War of 1812 in observance of the Bicentennial of the capture of Fort George in May 1813.
June
- Civil War Garrison Weekend (Jun 8 - Jun 9, 2013)
Reenactors portraying soldiers from the Civil War garrison Old Fort Niagara to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of construction of brick casemates and revetments at the site. Special displays and programs throughout the day.
- Philharmonic at the Fort (Jun 29, 2013)
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performs at Old Fort Niagara.
Conductor Matt Kraemer will lead the BPO in a program of favorite symphonic works, culminating in a rousing performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. 7:30 pm
Tickets: $20.00 general admission; $10 students; children under 6 free; family 4-pack (2 adults, 2 children) $49.00.
To purchase tickets, call the BPO at (716) 885-5000 or visit www.bpo.org.
July
- French and Indian War Encampment (Jul 5 - Jul 7, 2013)
Old Fort Niagara's largest event of the year recreates the historic siege of the Fort in July 1759, when British and New York troops, allied with Native warriors, captured Fort Niagara from the French. Three days of battle demonstrations, large living history camps, and interpretive programming fun for the entire family.
Event Participants go to www.niagarafni.org for more information about attending the event.
August
- Soldiers of the Revolution (Aug 3 - Aug 4, 2013)
Living history programming explores the role of Fort Niagara during the American Revolution. Battle demonstrations, living history camps, British court martial and hands on activities for families.
- Music of the War of 1812 (Aug 28, 2013)
National experts on early American music, David and Ginger Hildebrand present a special evening performance of authentic War of 1812 songs and instrumental compositions. Their appearance is in conjunction with a screening of the documentary "Anthem" and is sponsored by the 1812 Legacy Council.
7:00 pm Free and open to the public.
- War of 1812 Encampment (Aug 31 - Sep 1, 2013)
Bicentennial commemoration of the capture of Fort Niagara by British forces in December 1813. Battle demonstrations, living history programs throughout the day. Saturday night battle. Named one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association.
September
- Pontiac's War 250th Anniversary Commemoration (Sep 14 - Sep 15, 2013)
Special displays and programs explore the history of Pontiac's War and its impact on the Niagara Region. Saturday's programs will take place at Devil's Hole State Park to mark the 250th anniversary of this bloody engagement fought between Seneca warriors and British troops, September 14, 1763. Sunday's activities will take place at Old Fort Niagara.
Hosted in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
October
- Haunted Fortress (Oct 19, 2013)
Take a bone-chilling tour through the haunted fortress and discover the dark side of Fort Niagara's history. Tickets on sale September 3, 2013 by calling (716) 745-7611.
- Haunted Fortress (Oct 26, 2013)
Take a bone-chilling tour through the haunted fortress and discover the dark side of Fort Niagara's history. Tickets on sale September 3, 2013 by calling (716) 745-7611.
November
- French Heritage Day - Automne (Nov 1, 2013)
This special program for middle school French and Social Studies students explores the world of New France with learning stations about 17th and 18th century architecture, music, foodways, work, trade, religion, medicine and military life.
Advance reservations necessary. Call Brian at (716) 745-7611 ext. 229 to reserve a spot for your class.