Fort Malden National Historic Site and Amherstburg Navy Yard National Historic Site management plan 2016

In 1921, Fort Malden was designated as a place of national historic significance because of the role it played:

The National Historic Site designation for Fort Malden preserves the remnants of the second British fort built at this location. The first, Fort Amherstburg, was established in 1796. This centre of British operations during the War of 1812 was destroyed by the British when forced to retreat in September 1813. Today, there are no visible remains of this earlier fortification. The fort's current dimensions can be attributed to the American army, which occupied the ruins of Fort Amherstburg between October 1813 and July 1815. Following British re-occupation, a brick barracks, cook house, guardhouse, artillery shed and several storage buildings were built in the 1820s, but little was done to upgrade the earthworks. With the lessening of tensions between the United States and Britain the fort was allowed to decay and the last British troops left in 1836.

The Upper Canadian Rebellion of 1837-39 meant a renaissance for Fort Malden. Troops were rushed to the fort to repel attacks by rebels and American sympathizers. Between 1838 and 1840 the fort was almost completely rebuilt. Two large barracks holding 400 soldiers were hastily erected, as was an officers’ barracks, guardhouse, jail, and other buildings. The earthworks were repaired and armed with cannons. The end of the rebellion and improved relations with the Americans saw the last regulars depart in 1851, after which Enrolled Pensioners (retired soldiers) maintained the fort and farmed the surrounding military reserve. During this period (1851-58) a total of 85 pensioners’ cottages were built.

The acquisition of the fort grounds by the province of Canada West for a "lunatic" asylum between 1859 and 1870 saw the construction of new buildings, including a two-storey brick laundry/bakery built in 1861-62 (the site’s interpretation centre). Subsequent use as a lumber yard and planing mill was followed in the early 20^th century by the site’s subdivision for housing. Through the efforts of local citizens, the federal government acquired land for a small park in 1937, which has since been expanded to become the landmark it is today, commemorating events that helped to shape the Canadian nation.

Today, the fort comprises the remnants of the American and second British fortifications in the form of earthworks and the 1819 Brick Barracks, as well as the interpretation centre, pensioner’s cottage, and a visitor orientation centre. The designated “historic place” of nationally-significant cultural resources consists of remaining elements of the original earthworks, the 1819 Brick Barracks, and exposed and below grade archaeological features.

In 1928, the Amherstburg Navy Yard was designated as a National Historic Site for its importance as a British naval station for lakes Erie and Huron, from its construction in 1796, until its destruction by the British in late 1813. The site is now situated within the Town of Amherstburg’s King’s Navy Yard Park, land leased from Parks Canada. Parks Canada owns the 1831 Commissariat Building, which was built following the navy yard period to support the operation of Fort Malden. The Commissariat Building has been under lease to the Provincial Marine, a local not-for-profit re-enactment organisation that presents the naval history of the community and uses the building as a headquarters and interpretive centre to promote War of 1812 heritage.

The nearby but non-operational Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse and Blockhouse National Historic Site is subject to a separate management approach that addresses the part of the site administered by Parks Canada—i.e., the Lighthouse and adjacent Parks Canada lands.

Fort Malden and Amherstburg Navy Yard are located in Essex County in Southwestern Ontario, in the Town of Amherstburg. The Town is situated within a predominantly agricultural setting, with an overall 2011 population of 21,556. The location of both sites on the Town’s waterfront makes them popular for residents and visitors. Windsor, with a 2011 population of 210,891, is less than 25 kilometres from the two sites. More than 20% of Windsor’s population comprises new Canadians and 21% are visible minorities, making it Ontario’s most ethnically-diverse city outside of the Greater Toronto Area. Windsor is also situated across the Detroit River from the 4.3 million people living in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. More than 46 million people live within a 450-kilometre radius of the sites. The sites also have a strong geographic and thematic relationship with American historic sites along the Detroit River and Lake Erie relating to the War of 1812—River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan, Fort Meigs in Perrysburg, Ohio, and Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial in Put-in-Bay, Ohio.

The region offers a wide range of leisure and tourism opportunities, including large casino hotels, amusement parks such as Cedar Point, events such as the North American International Auto Show, and a host of performing arts, major league sports, and numerous community theatres, museums, libraries, festivals, parks, and beaches. Wine tourism is growing, with 17 wineries operating in 2016. Although little natural environment remains, Point Pelee National Park, just 50 kilometres east of Amherstburg, is world-renowned for bird watching, and the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) manages 19 conservation areas.

The Town of Amherstburg is rich in heritage and history, and is home to three other national historic sites—Bellevue,^{Footnote 2} Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Christ Church (Anglican). Two museums are found close by—the Park House Museum, which is situated between Fort Malden and the Amherstburg Navy Yard Park/Commissariat Building, and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum. Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse and Blockhouse NHS (the lighthouse portion of which is administered by Parks Canada) is situated just offshore in the Detroit River. Within the wide array of leisure and tourism experiences offered, Fort Malden and the Amherstburg Navy Yard offer unique opportunities for discovery, enjoyment, and learning.

Building relationships with Indigenous communities is a priority for Parks Canada. The two sites are situated within the traditional homelands of the Walpole Island First Nation and the Caldwell First Nation. Between 1796 and 1813, the first fort was a headquarters for the British Indian department and as such was a centre for negotiations between the British and the Indigenous communities of the Central Great Lakes region. Fort Malden staff have consulted with Walpole Island First Nation and Caldwell First Nation Indigenous communities, especially on programming and exhibits at the site related to the renewal of the interpretation centre. Parks Canada would welcome a further strengthening of these relationships.

Commemorative integrity provides a foundation for Parks Canada’s stewardship of national historic sites. A Commemorative Integrity Evaluation evaluates a site’s degree of commemorative integrity, in terms of heritage resource condition, effectiveness of communication, and selected management practices. The most recent evaluation (2002) for Fort Malden assessed the site’s commemorative integrity to be “Fair”. The principle challenges identified in the evaluation were:

The 2002 Commemorative Integrity Evaluation ranked resource condition as “fair”, effectiveness of communication as “good”, and selected management practices as “fair.” Work undertaken to improve these ratings included replacement of the Interpretation Centre roof in 2003 and an assessment of the earthworks. Work in 2011 included a condition assessment of objects and the conservation of those in poor condition;

Completion of a Commemorative Integrity Statement for the Amherstburg Navy Yard and a Commemorative Integrity Evaluation for both sites within the next two years will enable Parks Canada to fully document the site’s importance and condition.

Fort Malden National Historic Site offers programming on its grounds, as well as in its several buildings: the Visitor Orientation Centre, Interpretation Centre, Brick Barracks, and Pensioner’s cottage. Government of Canada Economic Action Plan investments in 2010 supported infrastructure and visitor experience renewal, by extending the pathway along the waterfront to the Fort’s south gate, adding a palisade wall, and by overhauling the Interpretation Centre exhibits. The pathway extension in particular has been very popular with town residents, and has helped strengthen the fort’s connection to the Town’s historic district. The Commissariat Building managed by the Provincial Marine is open from June to September.

Visitors to Fort Malden can experience the beautiful waterfront setting, or choose to visit the historic fort by first entering the Visitor Orientation Centre, which offers an introductory video presentation and a gift shop. The War of 1812 and Rebellion of Upper Canada exhibits in the Interpretation Centre feature an extensive artifact collection. The Pensioner’s Cottage and 1819 Brick Barracks also interpret the site’s unique story, and programs in the Barracks allow children to experience 19^th-century cooking techniques and overnight programs. Black powder demonstrations are also offered, which are further animated by the “Caldwell’s Western Rangers” (named for the militia unit recruited from Essex County during the War of 1812), whose activities cultivate a more personal connection to the site for volunteers and visitors. Each year, Fort Malden hosts historical events including the annual Military Heritage Days. The fort also serves as a venue for community events and activities such as Canada Day Celebrations, the Shores of Erie International Wine Festival, and the Gibson Gallery’s Art by the River, which celebrated its 49th anniversary in 2015; these events have increased site attendance and their promotion has raised the site’s local and regional profile. The Commissariat Building exhibits and programs managed by the Provincial Marine, focus on the defence of Canada in the early 19^th century.

Since 2004, visitation increased steadily and peaked in 2010/2011 with 48,378, largely on account of third party events. A change in the Government of Canada’s approach to engaging schools and the temporary closure of the Interpretation Centre to stabilize the structure has impacted visitation numbers in recent years. The 2015 Visitor Information Survey found that 77% of Fort Malden visitors were from 6 Ontario. Americans accounted for 16% of visitation (a slight increase from 14% in 2009). Visitor party size has decreased slightly with 50% (2015) travelling in parties of three or more; 33% of parties travelled with children 16 and under, and 32% were repeat visitors. Significantly, most surveyed visitors in 2009 stayed 2 to 3 hours compared to 1 to 1.5 hours in 2004. As in 2004, most visitors were very satisfied with their Fort Malden visit; interaction with Parks Canada staff receiving the highest ratings. In 2009, 72% of surveyed visitors agreed with the statement that Fort Malden “is meaningful to me.”

Fort Malden staff have participated in off-site educational programs and in local events and festivals, including Art in the Park, the Essex Fun Fest, the Leamington Tomato Festival, and the Amherstburg Rotary Club’s Rib Fest. Caldwell’s Western Rangers participate in many events and festivals, thus serving as ambassadors for the sites, engaging Canadians that otherwise may not have the opportunity to visit. The Internet and new media compellingly communicate Parks Canada’s messages to emerging markets.

A variety of local and regional print media such as the River Town Times and the Windsor Star provide promotional and news coverage for many Fort events and programs. Television, radio, and Internet news distribution channels also provide an outlet for Parks Canada's messages. Ontario Travel, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, and the Town of Amherstburg's publications and tourism centres are other avenues of communication that could be further developed. Internet and social media outlets are used and have been positively received. The events and programmes in support of the War of 1812 Bicentennial celebrations have provided an opportunity to tap into a broader market through promotional partnering with the network of 1812 sites, and in particular neighbouring Chatham-Kent County. Parks Canada polling data has enhanced the agency’s ability to better understand how, where, and when Canadians are gaining access to their information—be it social media, television, magazines, the Internet, or other sources.

In addition to engagement with Indigenous communities, Parks Canada partners with the local community and the Town of Amherstburg, and has a longstanding relationship with the Provincial Marine that leases the Commissariat Building for its interpretive programming. Fort Malden staff have built relationships, cooperative programming, and cross-promotion with other sites and groups, important examples being the Amherstburg Freedom Museum and the Nazrey Church National Historic Site. Finally, because of the location of the two sites across from the United States, there is considerable collaboration and cross-promotion with sites and organizations across the border. Celebrations such as the War of 1812 Bicentennial provided additional opportunities to create linkages with Indigenous communities, and with communities locally, nationally and internationally in Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Public engagement in the development of this management plan has included Indigenous communities, the public, partners, and stakeholders. Indigenous communities were continuously consulted during the plan’s development throughout 2011, including a number of on-site meetings. A newsletter and comment form were available in paper and on the Parks Canada website in October and November 2011. Two public meetings and one partner and stakeholder meeting were held to solicit feedback on a draft vision and key strategies in November 2011. Following these public meetings, additional comments were received via the website posting. The main themes of the public consultations are described in the next section.

The key strategies will help support the achievement of the vision, the outcomes defined nationally by Parks Canada, as well as outcomes specifically oriented to the two sites. The expected results are: