'Jolicoeur's Journey' at Old Fort Niagara

On Saturday, Jan. 13, Old Fort Niagara will present a special winter adventure called “Jolicoeur’s Journey,” an interactive living history program based on the memoirs of Jolicoeur Charles Bonin. The young soldier trekked from Quebec to Fort Niagara in the winter of 1754.

Participants in the program will learn about snowshoes, construct a brush shelter, start a fire with flint and steel, and prepare a ration of soldiers’ pea soup. The program ends with a hearty lunch inside the fort’s heated log cabin.

A press release noted, “Bonin was part of a 500-man detachment that left Quebec on Jan. 15, 1754, and arrived at Fort Niagara on Feb. 25. During their 42-day journey, they marched over ice and snow, crossed icy streams and skated on ice-covered Lake Ontario.”

Educators from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will present a history of snowshoes to kick off the program. Activities begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. Weather-permitting, visitors will have a chance to don a pair of snowshoes and take a short hike to a campsite where they will establish an 18th century winter camp.

Program capacity is limited. Participants are asked to RSVP to Old Fort Niagara: 716-745-7611 ext. 223, or via email at [email protected]. More information and photos of last year’s program are available at www.oldfortniagara.org.