Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada
Educational Services
A key defensive post during the War of 1812 and the Rebellion of 1837-38, Fort Malden commemorates a period when the destiny of Canada was determined by military action.
For 200 years, fortifications at Fort Malden have witnessed and participated in the struggles which helped forge a new nation out of the North American wilderness. An army garrison, British Indian Department post, dockyard for the Upper Great Lakes and the meeting place for Chief Tecumseh and British General Brock - the fort has been all these.
Today the 4.5 hectare site includes remains of the 1840-period earthworks and four buildings, including a restored and furnished 1819 brick barracks. Fort Malden offers a wide range of curriculum based education programmes for most ages
CURRICULUM BASED PROGRAMMES
Site Tour - All Grades
Students receive a tour of the buildings on site led by 1838-period costumed interpreters. The students will learn of the strategic importance of the Detroit River Frontier and the social history of the soldiers and their families, officers, tradesmen, native warriors and pioneers who protected and served this frontier for over 50 years. The site tour includes a visit to our world class museum, the soldier's barracks, the soldier's cookhouse, and a musket firing demonstration.
Duration: 1 Hour Offered: Year Round
Fort Life in Pioneer Times - Grade 3 curriculum
Students will experience the lifestyles of people who lived in Essex County during the late eighteenth, early nineteenth century, with a focus on the British garrison stationed at Fort Malden. The students will have the opportunity to learn about the soldiers and their families who lived in our 1819 barracks, contrast their lifestyles with those of the officers in our recreated officer's bedroom, prepare a period biscuit on our open hearth, and make a pioneer toy to take home.
Duration: 1.5 hours Offered: September to June
Fort Life and the War of 1812 - Grade 7 curriculum
Students will learn about early settlement by Loyalists, the causes and main events of the War of 1812 along the Detroit frontier, forts and fortifications, and the lifestyle of the garrison. The students will have the opportunity to explore the ditches and defences of the fort, view original artifacts, and learn the drill of a soldier from the War of 1812. See where the soldiers lived, and watch a musket firing demonstration.
Duration: 1.5 hours Offered: September to June
Fort Life and the Rebellion - Grade 7 curriculum
Students will learn about the causes and main events of the Rebellion of 1837-38 along the Detroit Frontier. The students will learn about the economic situation in Upper Canada leading up to the Rebellion, the threat of invasion from Rebels in Michigan, and the construction of the new Fort Malden. They will walk the ditches and defences, explore exhibits about the Rebellion, learn the drill of a soldier of the 1830's, and watch a musket firing demonstration.
Duration: 1.5 hours Offered: September to June
Garrison Christmas - Grades 1,2, and 3 curriculum
Students will learn about the life of the soldiers and their families in early Upper Canada. The focus of this programme will be on British army traditions during the holiday season. Students will compare and contrast the nineteenth century traditions with those of today. They will see the fort decorated as it would be been in early Victorian times, help cook a traditional Christmas treat in our open hearth cookhouse, and make a Christmas craft to take home.
Duration: 1.5 hours Offered: Mid-November to Mid-December
SPECIALTY PROGRAMMES
Overnight Programme - Grade 7 curriculum. Also available for Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and Cadet units.
The Students will have the opportunity to explore the exhibits in our world class museum and view the unique objects in the Fort Malden collection that help tell the story of how Canada evolved. The programme includes a visit of the archaeological remains and remnants of the forts and a candlelight tour through the ditches and defences after the sun sets. The students will partake in a scavenger hunt of the museum, dress up as British soldiers and learn the drill and manoeuvres as the soldiers did in the 1830's, and sleep in our restored original 1819 soldier's barracks.
Duration: 14.5 hours
Offered: September 1 to November 15 and January 15 to May 31
Note: Groups are responsible for bringing the food for the programme.
Barracks Dinner - Grade 7 curriculum. Also available for Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and Cadet units.
Experience early 19th century cooking techniques in this hands-on programme. Students prepare a meal of beef stew, bread and butter in an authentic soldier's cookhouse, then eat the dinner in our restored original barracks. Also included is a tour of the fortifications and officer's exhibits. This programme can be combined with the Overnight Programme.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Offered: September 1 to November 15 and January 15 to May 31
Note: Groups are responsible for bringing the food for the programme.
CAN'T COME TO FORT MALDEN? Let us come to you.
Building a Pioneer Community - Grade 3 curriculum
This is a programme that we bring into your classroom. It contains two components. Your students will learn the essential needs of early communities by building a pioneer community on a floor mat based on Fort Malden and Amherstburg. The second part of the programme will be a candle making session. Each student will make a candle to take home.
Duration: 1.5 hours
The Battle of Lake Erie and the Retreat up the Thames - Grade 7 curriculum
This is a programme that we bring into your classroom. Students will learn of the significant events that occurred on the Detroit frontier during the War of 1812. The students will be put into groups, forming War Councils, they will listen to scenarios, and then debate with their group to decide the best decision to ensure victory. This is a fun way to use critical thinking and learn about the important events that took place in Essex County.
Duration: 1.5 hours
RESOURCES - Pre and Post Visit Materials