Old Fort Niagara to present 'Rebels at the Gates'

Old Fort Niagara Press Release

America’s War for Independence comes alive on July 27 and 28, as Old Fort Niagara hosts the Grand National Encampment of the American Revolution. Eight hundred reenactors will gather at the fort to stage four battle reenactments, artillery duels, 18th century clothing programs, a period hospital and much more.

The event, titled “Rebels at the Gates,” depicts an American attack on Fort Niagara in the summer of 1779. Although the fort was securely in British hands throughout the American Revolution, battle demonstrations will illustrate the tactics employed by both the British and American armies, and present broader themes about the uprising on the New York frontier.

National reenactor organizations, including The Brigade of the American Revolution, the Continental Line and the British Brigade, selected Old Fort Niagara as the site of their Grand National Encampment because of the fort’s rich history and commitment to living history programs.

When they arrive at Old Fort Niagara, reenactors will establish large period camps that display many of the camp activities that took place on a daily basis during the War for Independence. Camp life will play out much as it did during the 18th century with military formations, colors ceremonies, medical displays and martial drills.

Highlights of each day will be two large-scale battle reenactments, artillery duels and fife and drum music by the assembled music corps of both British and American armies. Period merchants will also set up camp, offering their wares to participants and public alike. Others will demonstrate period crafts, showing how artisans provided items needed to keep armies in the field.

During the American Revolution, Fort Niagara served as British headquarters on the Great Lakes, as a base for frontier raids and a destination for Loyalist refugees. The fort features several original 18th century buildings that predate the war. During the event, hundreds of reenactors will bring the fort’s venerable buildings and fortifications to life as they recreate the New York frontier of the 1770s.

“Rebels at the Gates” is the fort’s kickoff event for the nation’s multi-year 250th birthday celebration. The program aligns with New York state’s proclamation of the years 2024 to 2033 as the Era of Commemoration. More information is available at www.oldfortniagara.org.

Images provided by Old Fort Niagara

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More about the participants

•The British Brigade portrays the British, Provincial, French Canadian, First Nations (Aboriginal Canadians), American Indians and German units that served with the Crown Forces during the American Revolutionary War. We bring together hundreds of soldiers and camp followers at weekend historical reenacting encampments, with the ultimate goal of educating the public by displaying a detailed, accurate portrayal of British Army camp life of the late 1700s. Visit one of our many events to witness tent-lined streets filled with red, blue and green-coated men performing daily duties and practicing drills.

At weekend events, the British Brigade Army forms for battle against the Rebel forces where one can see, amid the clouds of powder smoke and crash of musketry, battalions of men maneuvering into action. Infantry, artillery and cavalry recreate the detailed evolutions of the 18th century's most famous army.

•The Brigade of the American Revolution, formed in 1962, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) living history association dedicated to recreating the life and times of the common soldier of the American War for Independence, 1775-83. With a focus on quality-researched interpretation, the brigade conducts annual schools and educational seminars featuring experts from numerous fields of 18th century study. The brigade looks forward to returning to Old Fort Niagara for this grand encampment, and thanks all of those involved in the planning process.

•The Continental Line, established in 1987 and incorporated in 1995 as a not-for-profit organization in the state of Pennsylvania, is an educational organization of recreated units representing the Continental Army, the Continental Artillery, the Continental Marines, the State Navies, the various colonial militias, and units in the service of the French king during the American Revolution.

The line, which assembles units from Georgia to New Hampshire, was organized to promote a better understanding of the history of the United States during the time our nation won its independence from Great Britain. These units share in public battle scenarios, 18th century diversions, as well as various aspects and interpretations of a soldier’s life during The American Revolution.

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. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and YouTube.