Multiple Dates
Old Fort Erie, Fort Erie
Heritage Speaker Series at Old Fort Erie
Step into the Revolutionary Era at one of Canada’s most storied historic sites
Travel back to 1776 as Old Fort Erie commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a powerful speaker series that brings this pivotal era to life.
Once a vital British supply outpost supporting soldiers, Loyalist Rangers and Haudenosaunee warriors, Old Fort Erie now sets the stage for an immersive journey into the past. Hear from top historians, authors, educators and Indigenous knowledge keepers as they uncover the legacies of the Revolutionary Era that shaped the Niagara region and beyond.
Tickets are $15 each or $60 for the full series (plus HST). All sessions begin at 2:00 p.m.
Professor Mark G. Spencer
Sunday, March 22, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.
1776: Events and Ideas in the American Revolutionary World
What was the American Revolution—really? Starting from 1776, this session explores how the ideas of the era defined the War itself and why the Revolution still matters today.
Mark G. Spencer is a Professor of History at Brock University and the author or editor of more than twenty volumes. He publishes widely on the history of ideas, with a focus on the 18th British Atlantic world. His current major projects include co‑editing an eight‑volume critical edition of David Hume’s History of England for Oxford University Press and leading a SSHRC‑funded study of John Beale Bordley (1727–1804).
Rich Pyszczek
Saturday, April 18, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.
America and NYS at 250: What Comes Next?
New York State is stepping into the spotlight through the NYS 250 Commemoration Commission, showcasing the state’s vital role in shaping the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. Learn about the ongoing statewide initiatives that are bringing the nation’s founding principles to life.
Rich Pyszczek, a Buffalo native, is a longtime Social Studies educator certified in grades 7 to 12 and experienced in teaching a wide range of history and civics courses. He has earned multiple statewide honors, including New York State History Day Teacher of the Year, the Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award and the NYSCSS Distinguished Educator Award. He serves on the NYS 250th Commemoration Commission and was recognized with a lifetime achievement award in 2023 for his leadership in the New York State History Day Program.
Peter Meyler
Sunday, May 3, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.
Richard Pierpoint: Soldier, Settler, Slave
Follow the extraordinary life of Richard Pierpoint, an African Canadian who survived the Trans‑Atlantic Slave Trade and participated in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
Peter Meyler is a researcher dedicated to uncovering untold Black histories in Canada. His work includes two books, more than 50 articles and numerous presentations, as well as consulting for the History Channel’s award‑winning series BLK: An Origin Story. He co‑authored A Stolen Life: Searching for Richard Pierpoint and edited Broken Shackles: Old Man Henson From Slavery to Freedom. His articles have appeared in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail and Canada’s History Magazine, and his research has brought new attention to figures such as John “Daddy” Hall, Sophia Burthen, Lemuel Brown and Larry Gains.
Betsy Bashore
Sunday, June 7, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.
Frontier Elegance: Women’s Fashion on the Edge
Step into the dress culture of women living on the North American frontier, where resilience, resourcefulness and remarkable style defined daily life.
Betsy Bashore has more than 40 years of hands‑on experience researching and recreating War of 1812 and Regency-era clothing. Her work focuses on historical accuracy, fit and the realities of frontier life, informed by close study of original garments in major museum collections across North America. Based in Maumee, Ohio, she balances her passion for historic fashion with her career as a process engineer specializing in government process improvement.
Rick Hill Sr.
Saturday, June 27, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.
From “Merciless Indian Savages” to Treaty Allies
Explore how relationships with the Haudenosaunee shifted throughout the American Revolution, from efforts to keep them neutral, to recruitment, to violent campaigns and finally to treaty making aimed at peace and friendship.
Rick Hill Sr. is a member of the Beaver Clan of the Tuscarora Nation at Grand River and holds a Master’s Degree in American Studies from SUNY Buffalo. He has served in leadership and teaching roles at major institutions, including the National Museum of the American Indian, the Institute of American Indian Arts and SUNY Buffalo. Recently retired as Senior Project Coordinator for the Deyohahá:ge: Indigenous Knowledge Centre at Six Nations Polytechnic, he now works as an interpretive specialist developing exhibitions for the renovated Mohawk Institute, Canada’s oldest residential school.
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