What's New
© Parks Canada / Paul Galipeau
200th Anniversary of Raid on Ogdensburg
PRESCOTT, ONTARIO – February 7, 2013 – 200 years ago the fiery “Red” George MacDonnell led troops from Fort Wellington across the frozen St Lawrence River and routed American forces from the town of Ogdensburg, NY. Join Fort Wellington National Historic Site, the Forsyth’s Rifles of Ogdensburg, and the Prescott Bicentennial Committee on February 22 & 23, 2013, to commemorate the bicentennial of the Raid on Ogdensburg, an important turning point during the War of 1812. More info...
© Parks Canada
Kids Have Summer Fun at Fort Wellington National Historic Site
PRESCOTT, ONTARIO – June 13, 2012 – Two popular kids programs are returning to Fort Wellington National Historic Site in July and August, 2012. Heritage Day Camp, a week long program, and Fort Kids, a one day per week program, are designed to encourage imagination, discovery and adventure while learning about Canada's cultural heritage.
Heritage Day Camp
Children aged 7 to 12 are inspired to dawn period clothing and truly experience what life was like at Fort Wellington from the perspectives of all who lived it. Each day of this five day program is a new adventure as various themes of the fort are explored through hands on activities. Costumed interpreters engage and encourage children as the daily lives and responsibilities of the fort's soldiers are revealed in fun and interactive ways.
The program runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Two separate weeks of Heritage Day Camp are scheduled; the first offering runs from July 2 to July 6, 2012, with a second week scheduled August 20 to August 24, 2012. Space is limited to 25 participants per week-long session and a registration fee of $68.70 per week applies. Please register as soon as possible to ensure a place as been reserved for your child.
Fort Kids
Every Tuesday from July 10 to August 14, Fort Wellington is abuzz with the sounds of children living history as time travellers to the War of 1812 and 1840 Rebellion periods of the fort's past. Each week, children aged 7 to 12 are invited to bring a weekly theme to life as they explore the daily responsibilities and characteristics of working and living in the fort 200 years ago.
Each Fort Kids single day session runs from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Space is limited to 20 participants per day and a $15.00 per day registration fee applies. Spots fill up quickly so please register as soon as possible to reserve a place.
The weekly Fort Kids themes are:
Soldiers Day – July 10
Enlist and learn about military life at Fort Wellington. Children will take part in a mock battle, military drill, and watch a rifle demonstration.
War of 1812 Day – July 17
Travel back in time and experience life during the War of 1812. Participants get a taste of daily routine through period dress, snacks and activities.
Pirates Day – July 24
Aarr matey! Participants learn pirate lingo and how pirates were involved in Fort Wellington's History. Now where is me buried treasure?
Navy / Royal Engineer Day – July 31
In becoming a navy sailor and building a small gunboat, participants learn about Prescott's nautical past. Your child also gets to design their own Fort Wellington while taking on the role of a royal engineer!
Archaeology Day – August 7
Fort Kids get to dig into the past and discover what artefacts can tell us about what life was like in the 1840's!
Games Day – August 14
The final day offers up old fashion fun. Participants are offered the chance to master period games like tug-o-war, three legged races and capture the flag.
For more information or to register for either program please contact Emily Sine or Leslie MacPherson between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm at 613-925-2896.
"Quilty" Pleasures at Fort Wellington this Canada Day
Prescott, Ontario, June 21, 2012 – The Great Lakes Seaway Trail War of 1812 Bicentennial Quilts exhibit will be at Fort Wellington National Historic Site of Canada from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday July 1st, 2012. Quilts are a result of the necessity of providing warm covers for beds, yet over time, have evolved into elaborately designed precious heirlooms that find a place of honour in many Canadian homes and museums.
"This is a really spectacular exhibit; it is very humbling to realize just how many people in the greater community are passionate and working hard to keep their history alive," said Anne-Marie Johnson, Fort Wellington National Historic Site Manager. "Come and see the beautiful quilts and learn about the history of the War of 1812!"
Today, quilting remains a passionate and popular activity and quilters clustered along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail responded to the "a once-in-a-200-years" opportunity of War of 1812 commemorations by creating a travelling exhibit of quilts that highlight 1812 era materials and styles. Twenty-five of these exemplary newly-made 1812-period quilts, accompanied by four "Storyteller" interpretive panels that explore themes of technology and the impact of the conflict on the daily lives of those who fought, and those at who remained at home, will be on display at Fort Wellington National Historic Site.
In addition to this unique opportunity, Parks Canada invites individuals and families to enjoy all the other activities on offer as Fort Wellington celebrates Canada's birthday. Throughout the day visitors will have the opportunity to discover the new War of 1812 era Gunboat exhibit, experience rifle demonstrations and enjoy period cooking, face painting, a scavenger hunt, as well as crafts and games with guides in historic costume.
Canada Day cupcakes and refreshments will follow firing of the 24-pound artillery piece at noon. At 2:00 pm inside the walls of the fort, adults and children of all ages are invited to enlist as a private in the British Army. Supplied with a coat and rifle, participants will be put through inspection and military drills before joining in a mock battle.
Admission to all Canada Day events and activities is free. For more information on this or other special events, please contact at Fort Wellington at (613) 925-2896 or email ont-wellington@pc.gc.ca.
Parks Canada Conservator Flora Davidson secures loose parts of the gunboat wreck at St Lawrence Islands National Park in Mallorytown in preparation for its move to Fort Wellington in Prescott, Ontario.
© Parks Canada
Parks Canada conservation staff work on 200 year old vessel
1812 era British gunboat readied for move
Mallorytown Landing, Ontario – July 19, 2011 – The past week has been very busy for Parks Canada conservation specialist working in Mallorytown Landing, Ontario. The conservators were working to prepare a rare 54 foot long, 16 foot wide, and approximately 13 tonne 1812 era British gunboat for transport. The boat, raised from the St Lawrence River by the Parks Canada Underwater Archaeology department in 1967, will soon be on the move from an old boathouse at St Lawrence Islands National Park in Mallorytown Landing to a new visitor centre at Fort Wellington National Historic Site in Prescott, Ontario. More info...
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