Fireside Fridays in February: Fort George speaker series

Fort George National Historic Site

Back by popular demand! Parks Canada and the Friends of Fort George are hosting a Speaker Series Fridays in February at Navy Hall in Niagara-on-the-Lake. These one hour-long presentations will feature staff, and historians from Parks Canada, special guest speakers and some original artifacts from the War of 1812 and beyond!

Tickets are $15.75 (taxes included) per event or $47.25 (taxes included) for the entire series. Buy three – get one free!

Tickets go on sale Monday January 6, 2025, and can be purchased on the Friends of Fort George online store.

Seating is limited so get your tickets today!

Wacky, Weird and Wonderful: When Artifacts go Wild! Part 2 

Speakers: Dan Laroche – Manager, Fort George National Historic Site 
Saturday, February 7, 2025. 11:00 a.m. at Navy Hall

   

Dan Laroche has been at Fort George since 1988 and has been Manager/Supervisor of Fort George for the past 20+ years.  He has done years of research on Fort George and was one of the authors of the new publication “Fort George: A History”.  Dan will once again highlight rare and unique artifacts from the collection at Parks Canada that all have something in common, in that they are not common at all.   Mostly from the War of 1812, these artifacts will test your knowledge and imagination.  Channel your inner “Antiques Roadshow” enthusiast to help answer that age old question: “What the heck is that?!?”


First Nations and The Battle of Queenston Heights

Tim Johnson – Senior Advisor for Heritage and Legacy at the Niagara Parks Commission, Senior Advisor to an extensive number of Indigenous, heritage and cultural institutions, and is instrumental in the development of a legacy of public art and memorials.

Jim Hill – Senior Manager Heritage and Legacy, Niagara Parks Commission, and retired Captain with the Royal Canadian Artillery.

 
Friday, February 14, 2025. 11:00 a.m. at Navy Hall

   

The Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812 was a moment in Canada’s history when everything could’ve changed. Through Two-Eyed Seeing, Tim Johnson and Jim Hill will explore this pivotal event from different perspectives and explore the actions, experiences, and recollections of First Nations and the British army during this excruciating battle when the fate and future of these lands and waters hung in the balance. As a special feature, the new Niagara Parks publication Landscape of Nations: Beyond the Mist will be available for sale before and after this presentation.


Marching Off the Beaten Path: Lesser-known Uniforms of the War of 1812

Peter Martin – Visitor Experience Product Development Officer and Special Events Coordinator, Parks Canada 

Chris McKay – Re-enactor/Historian and Educator

 
Friday, February 21, 2025. 11:00 a.m. at Navy Hall

 

Peter Martin brings over 30 years of experience working at historic War of 1812 sites. Chris McKay, a seasoned War of 1812 re-enactor, is currently pursuing his master’s degree in public history at Western University. Together, Chris and Peter will showcase and discuss uniforms from the War of 1812. But not the usual red coat vs. blue coat ensembles! They’ll be spotlighting some of the more unique uniforms that appeared both on and off the battlefield.  Which uniforms, you ask? Well, you’ll have to join us to find out!


Music Across the Garrison

Peter Alexander – Historic Music Co-ordinator, Parks Canada

Gavin Watt – Military Animation Supervisor, Parks Canada

 
Friday February 28, 2025. 11:00 a.m. at Navy Hall

   

From the lowliest private to the officers that staffed the headquarters, live music filled the day to day activities of Fort George. Come enjoy a discussion and performance of music across the classes, with Peter Alexander and Gavin Watt who have been entertaining Niagara residents at Fort George since the 1980s.


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