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At 2 p.m. Aug. 5-6, battle demonstrations will happen at Old Fort Niagara depicting those that happened across the Niagara Frontier during the American Revolution.
At 2 p.m. Aug. 5-6, battle demonstrations will happen at Old Fort Niagara depicting those that happened across the Niagara Frontier during the American Revolution.

'Soldiers of the Revolution' at Fort Niagara: American Revolution on Niagara Frontier to be re-enacted

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Mon, Jul 24th 2017 11:40 am
Event is Aug. 5-6
Old Fort Niagara will share American Revolution history with the public on Aug. 5-6, when it presents "Soldiers of the Revolution" from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This re-enactment complements the daily summer programming currently happening at the fort, which features the British occupation of the fort from 1775-83.
"Fort Niagara was a British stronghold during the American Revolution, and many successful attacks against the American colonists were strategized from here," said Robert Emerson, executive director of the Old Fort Niagara Association. "During 'Soldiers of the Revolution,' visitors can meet soldier and civilian re-enactors from both camps, watch a battle demonstration, and learn about the fort's strategic importance to the British during the war."
Activities at the fort begin daily at 10 a.m. and continue through 6 p.m. Everything is included with regular admission to the fort. Highlights include: history tours at 11 a.m. to educate visitors about the fort's role in the American Revolution; artillery demonstrations at noon; fifes and drums performing at 1:30 p.m.; battle demonstrations at 2 p.m.; children's recruiting demonstrations to join the wooden-musket army as loyalists or rebels at 3 p.m.; and 18th century games with the soldiers at 3:30 p.m.
The "Soldiers of the Revolution" daily schedule includes:
  • 10 a.m. - Morning formation and flag raising - re-enactors parade with their colors
  • 10:30 a.m. - Musket demonstration (Saturday only)
  • 11 a.m. - "Who's Who on the New York Frontier" - learn about the conflict and the key players at Fort Niagara
  • Noon - Artillery demonstration
  • 1 p.m. - Rifle vs. musket demonstration
  • 1:30 p.m. - Military music
  • 2 p.m. - Battle demonstration - watch the British fight against rebel forces from within the fort
  • 2:30 p.m. - Prisoner ransom
  • 3 p.m. - Recruiting demonstration for children - soldiers will recruit visitors to join the loyalist and rebel armies
  • 3:30 p.m. - 18th century games
  • 4:15 p.m. - Musket demonstration
  • 5:15 p.m. - Musket demonstration
  • 6 p.m. - Musket demonstration
Visitors will encounter British and American camps and re-enactors at Old Fort Niagara's "Soldiers of the Revolution," Aug. 5-6. A British camp is shown here.
The Officers' Club, just outside the fort's footprint, will be open during "Soldiers of the Revolution" from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. for tours and access to the World War II display. The lighthouse will also be open from noon to 3 p.m.
The cost to attend the event is regular admission to the fort ($12 per adult, $8 for children ages 6-12, free for children ages 5 and under) and is free to members of the Old Fort Niagara Association.
Old Fort Niagara's American Revolution theme continues as part of its daily summer programming through August. Visitors to the fort will learn about the fort's role in the American Revolution, including relationships with the Native people; preparing the fort for possible attack by American rebels; the fort as a gathering place for loyalists and Natives seeking refuge from British King George III; and the fort's role in preparing for raids on the Mohawk Valley.
The lighthouse also is open to the public from noon until 3 p.m. daily through Oct. 9. (Free admission for visitors; must be at least 4 feet tall and sign a waiver.)
Youngstown's Old Fort Niagara (www.oldfortniagara.org) is open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily in July and August. Gates remain open until 7 p.m. Old Fort Niagara is a Registered National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association (a not-for-profit organization) in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
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SOR Trade WP.jpg (photo by Wayne Peters)
Native allies were critical to British success on the New York Frontier during the American Revolution. At "Soldiers of the Revolution," Natives trade with British officers during prisoner negotiations.

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