Three hundred years ago, the French established Fort Niagara at the mouth of the Niagara River. The fort was designed to protect the strategic Niagara Portage, a trail that bypassed Niagara Falls and linked Lakes Ontario and Erie.
Today and Saturday, Old Fort Niagara will bring the historic era to life with a series of living history programs depicting the French occupation of the Niagara Region from 1726 to 1759.
Today, the fort will welcome 300 French and Social Studies students for a day of educational programs. Students will rotate among 12 learning stations that illustrate French architecture, trade, military life and cuisine. Friday’s programs are conducted in cooperation with the Western New York Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French.
The event continues on Saturday with hands-on programs for the public. Demonstrations will include the explorations of René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, the fur trade, mounting the guard, travel, foodways, religion, music, French frontier architecture, clothing, and women’s roles at the Fort. The fort also presents its popular musket and artillery demonstrations throughout the day.
The first documented French presence at Niagara came in 1669. After two short-lived attempts to fortify the mouth of the river in 1679 and 1687, French engineers and workers erected a permanent structure known today as the French Castle in 1726. The French controlled Fort Niagara until 1759, when British and New York provincial forces, aided by nearly 1,000 Haudenosaunee allies, captured the fort after a 19-day siege.
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.
Hours for Saturday’s program are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available by calling 716-745-7611 or on the Fort’s website at www.oldfortniagara.org.