Siege of Fort Niagara set for July 4-6

Old Fort Niagara Press Release & Photos

Six large-scale battle reenactments, acres of 18th century artisans and merchants, and numerous living history demonstrations will highlight the 45th annual French and Indian War Encampment at Old Fort Niagara set for July 4-6. The three-day event recreates the historic siege of Fort Niagara, which took place in July of 1759 during the fifth year of the French and Indian War.

Hundreds of reenactors from all over the world will gather at the historic fort in Youngstown to set up period camps and do battle for the strategic outpost that guarded the critical water route to the west.

In addition to the battle reenactments, visitors will experience blacksmithing demonstrations, historic cooking, recreations of Native American diplomacy, Native dancing, period music, fur trading and artillery firing demonstrations.

The French were the first Europeans to explore the Niagara Region. In 1726, they erected the French Castle to block the British from controlling the strategic Niagara portage, a trail that bypassed Niagara Falls and linked the waters of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. When the French and Indian War broke out in 1754, Fort Niagara became a target for British conquest.

It was not until 1759 that a British army of 2,400 soldiers and almost 1,000 Native American allies reached the fort and began a siege that lasted 19 days. In the end, the French were forced to surrender the site. Fort Niagara became a British outpost until 1796 when the fort was handed over to the new United States.

“This is the fort’s largest special event of the year,” Executive Director Robert Emerson said. “Hundreds of reenactors from all over the world gather here to bring this seminal event in Great Lakes history to life. There are few events in our region’s past that had such monumental consequences.”

The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information, call 716-745-7611 or visit the fort’s website at www.oldfortniagara.org.