'Solar Eclipse Day' at Old Fort Niagara

Information Courtesy of Old Fort Niagara

Old Fort Niagara offers a great view of the western sky in a setting of centuries of history. Join us to observe the solar eclipse. Special programs precede the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These include musket and cannon firings, life of a soldier in the 18th century, 18th century domestic life demonstrations and 18th century military engineering.

The full schedule includes:

√ 11 a.m., musket firing demonstration

√ 11:30 until 2 p.m., visit the French Castle and learn about the daily life of a soldier, eclipse history, the fur trade, the roles of women at the fort and games from the 18th century

√ noon, musket firing

√ 12:30 p.m., use your math skills to design an 18th century fort

√ 1 p.m., cannon firing followed by a musket firing demonstration

√ 2 p.m., cannon firing

√ 2:03 p.m., partial eclipse begins (approximate)

√ 3:20 p.m., totality (approximate)

√ 4:30 p.m., partial ends (approximate)

√ 5 p.m., cannon firing and musket firing demonstration

√ 12:30-4 p.m., special science exhibits include telescope viewing, cootie catcher solar eclipse, solar bead activity, and solar eclipse spinning wheel activity presented by Lewiston-Porter schools

Lewiston-Porter will launch a weather balloon equipped with camera to record the eclipse at 100,000 feet. Launch time is 1 p.m. 

NASA officials will present in the officers’ club from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity is limited to 100 persons.

Food will be available for purchase onsite. Fort Niagara will have a limited number of solar eclipse glasses for sale at the museum shop.

Visit https://www.oldfortniagara.org/event/100398/solar-eclipse-day and https://www.oldfortniagara.org.