School programs

Please note: all school group programming is suspended at this time.

Site Tour - All Grades

Interpreters in period costumes will lead students on a tour of our buildings including our world class museum, soldiers’ barracks, cookhouse, and a musket firing demonstration! Students will learn about 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.
Fee: $5.65 per student
1-hour tour

War of 1812*

Step back in time to the War of 1812. Tour the ditches and defences of the fort and explore the museum and 1812 artifacts. Tour the soldier's barracks and discuss the lifestyles of soldiers and their families. Dress in redcoats, learn the soldier's drill, and watch a musket firing demonstration.  *This program can be combined with the War of 1812 game program. 
Fee: $6.05 per person
1.5-hour tour, offered year-round

War of 1812 Game* 

Learn about important events that took place in Essex County and the Detroit frontier during the War of 1812! Students will form groups or “War Councils” to listen to scenarios and debate the best course of action to ensure victory!
*This program can be combined with either the guided tour or the War of 1812 program. 
Fee: $6.05 per person
1.5-hour program, offered year-round

The Battle of Lake Erie

Students will learn about the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813 and the consequences for Fort Malden and Essex County in this program that combines history with physical activity. After learning about the battle, students will join teams (British and U.S. Fleets) to re-enact the battle and play a unique version of ‘Capture the Flag’ on the Parade Square. 
Fee: $6.05 per person
1.5-hour program, offered only in May and June

Call out the Militia!

The Americans have invaded; the War of 1812 has begun and Fort Malden needs you! Join the 1st Essex Militia for the day. Students will be issued redcoats and muskets and learn the foot and arms drills just like the local, loyal citizens did in 1812. Students will also learn about the militia's role in the major battles along the Detroit frontier and will participate in activities such as period cooking, blacksmithing, and a scavenger hunt as they prepare to protect Essex County and Amherstburg. 
Fee: $12.10 per person
4-hour program, offered only in May and June

Barracks Dinner

Students will prepare a meal of beef stew, bread, and butter in an authentic soldier's cookhouse using 19th century cooking techniques and then eat the stew in our barracks for lunch. Also included is a tour of the fortifications and exhibits.
Fee: $24.50 per person
4-hour program

Overnight Program

Students will prepare a meal of beef stew, bread, and butter in an authentic soldier's cookhouse using 19th century cooking techniques and then eat the dinner in our barracks. The evening will be filled with a visit to the archaeological remains and remnants of the fort, a candlelight tour through the ditches and defences, a museum scavenger hunt, dressing in British soldier uniforms, and learning drills and manoeuvres as the soldiers did in the 1830s. Students will sleep in our restored original 1819 soldiers’ barracks. The program runs from 19:30 to 10:00 the next day. 
Fee: $49.00 per person
Overnight program

Grades 3 and under

Fort Life in Pioneer Times - Grade 3 curriculum 

Students will experience the lifestyles of people who lived in Essex County during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, with a focus on the British garrison stationed at Fort Malden. Students will learn about the soldiers and families who lived in our 1819 barracks, and compare their lifestyles with those of the officers in our recreated officer’s bedroom. They will prepare a period biscuit on our open hearth, dress up in soldiers’ redcoats, learn the basic drill of the militia during the War of 1812, and watch a musket firing demonstration.
Fee: $6.05 per person
1.5 hour program, offered only in May and June 

Building a Pioneer Community - Grade 3 curriculum

Students will learn about the first Canadian communities along the Detroit River. They will help build a pioneer community on a floor mat based on Fort Malden and Amherstburg. Students will learn about the various trades from the early 19th century, learn about the travelling blacksmith forge and help brand a piece of wood, make a period cookie in our historic cookhouse, and watch a musket firing demonstration.
Fee: $6.05 per person
1.5 hour program, offered only in May and June

Do you need more information?

Telephone: 519-736-5416
Email: pc.fortmalden.pc@canada.ca