New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Old Fort Niagara

French Heritage Day at Old Fort Niagara

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17th Century Canadian provided by Old Fort NiagaraFrom René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle to Captain Pierre Pouchot, the French had a significant presence on the Niagara River for almost one hundred years from 1669 to 1759.

The first documented visit by Frenchmen to the site of Fort Niagara was in 1669. The French surrendered Fort Niagara to the British in July 1759 after a 19-day siege. In between, hundreds of French soldiers, traders, missionaries, diplomats and explorers visited or lived in the area. [Read more…] about French Heritage Day at Old Fort Niagara

300th Anniversary of Le Magazin Royal Niagara Trading Post Being Marked

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Historic interpreters portray trade and diplomacy between a French soldier and Native AmericanThe Historical Association of Lewiston, the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, Artpark and Old Fort Niagara are set to celebrate the 300th Anniversary of Le Magazin Royal Niagara Trading Post on September 12th, at Artpark in Lewiston. [Read more…] about 300th Anniversary of Le Magazin Royal Niagara Trading Post Being Marked

Old Fort Niagara Has Reopened

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Old Fort NiagaraOld Fort Niagara, is considered the oldest continuously occupied military site in North America. It opened in 1934 as a historic site and public museum.  The Fort, originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America, is located near Youngstown, Niagara County, NY, on the eastern bank of the Niagara River at its mouth, on Lake Ontario. 

The site has reopened to visitors, following a 15-week closure due to the ongoing pandemic. Daily hours of operation have been shortened slightly from 10 am to 4 pm to allow for extra cleaning before and after hours.  [Read more…] about Old Fort Niagara Has Reopened

1700s Fashion Show at Old Fort Niagara

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Old Fort Niagaras Officers ClubOld Fort Niagara is set to celebrate Women’s History Month with a brand-new program and special access to its sewing studio on March 21, from 2 to 3:30 pm, for “Fort Niagara’s Women of Distinction.” The program will feature four women from the fort’s past, each representing different time periods, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, and wearing period-specific clothing currently being sewn in the fort’s sewing studio. [Read more…] about 1700s Fashion Show at Old Fort Niagara

Old Fort Niagara’s ‘Winter Woods Battle’

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British ranger reenactors firing in woods provided by Old Fort Niagara Old Fort Niagara has announced that their ‘Winter Woods Battle’ is set to return on Saturday, February 15th, from 10 am to 4 pm, and will feature cordwaining (shoemaking) as a new demonstration along with its assortment of indoor and outdoor living-history activities for visitors.

Re-enactors from regional units – Brant’s Volunteers, Hoisington Rangers, New York Provincials and Shroth’s New York Company – will join the fort’s staff and volunteers in presenting a full slate of programming for all, indoors and out. [Read more…] about Old Fort Niagara’s ‘Winter Woods Battle’

African-American History at Old Fort Niagara Talk Planned

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Cantigny MuralIn honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown is set to host a walking tour that illuminates the African-American history of the fort on Monday, January 20th.

The tour will be led by Executive Director Robert Emerson, who will discuss slavery in New France and the story of Richard Pierpoint, a black loyalist during the American Revolution; New information on the 24th Infantry Regiment that was posted at Fort Niagara in 1908-1909; and the life of Hubert Crawford, the African-American artist, who painted the mural “Lions of Cantigny” at the Fort Niagara Officers’ Club in the late 1930s. [Read more…] about African-American History at Old Fort Niagara Talk Planned

French Heritage Day At Old Fort Niagara

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Old Fort Niagara Voyageur DisplayOld Fort Niagara has announced French Heritage Day, featuring living history programs on the French influences on the Niagara region on Saturday, November 9th.

Demonstrations of life as a soldier, games, cooking, trading, music, muskets and artillery will occupy the French Castle and fort grounds from 10 am to 4 pm. [Read more…] about French Heritage Day At Old Fort Niagara

Lantern Tours Highlight Dark Side of Old Fort Niagara

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Old Fort Niagara courtesy John WarrenOld Fort Niagara was built in 1678 to protect the interests of New France in North America. It is located near Youngstown, on the eastern bank of the Niagara River at its mouth, on Lake Ontario. The fort played a significant part in the French and Indian War, and fell to the British in a nineteen-day siege in July 1759, called the Battle of Fort Niagara.

The Fort has announced that tickets are now on sale for its new “Lantern and Lore Tours” set for October. [Read more…] about Lantern Tours Highlight Dark Side of Old Fort Niagara

American Revolution Tory Partisan William Caldwell

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Butlers Rangers in the American RevolutionThe name William Caldwell first caught my attention while researching the August 12, 1781, raid in Wawarsing, in Ulster County, NY. His name was mentioned again in Governor George Clinton’s public papers. It was also in connection to the August raid which, it was believed, was lead by Caldwell (then a Captain).  During this raid he led other Tories and Native American allies.

William Caldwell was born around 1750 in Northern Ireland. Prior to the American Revolution, Caldwell came to England’s North American Colonies first settling in Pennsylvania. [Read more…] about American Revolution Tory Partisan William Caldwell