Niagara Parks Presents Canada 250: Old Fort Erie in the 1700s

• Four-part speaker series to highlight prominent historical experts offering a closer look at the world of 18^th century Fort Erie
• New living history event at Old Fort Erie will showcase life during the American Revolution (1775-1783)

Niagara Falls, ON – Though often overlooked in favour of the history surrounding the War of 1812, the 18^th century was a fascinating time period in the history of Old Fort Erie, cited as the first English settlement in Ontario.

On selected dates from March to June, Niagara Parks will present Canada 250: Old Fort Erie in the 1700s, including a four-part speaker series that shines a light on the soldiers, settlers and Indigenous people in the area between 1764 and 1800, before the start of the War of 1812.

Also included in the series, Niagara Parks will be hosting a new living history event at Old Fort Erie on May 25-26. Featuring British and American military units from the American Revolution, this event will showcase 18^th century life for the soldiers and their families in the encampments and during the planned battle re-enactments to be held over the course of the American Memorial Day weekend.

The first installment of the speaker series set for Wednesday, March 27, will feature a presentation and discussion by Peter Twist. Well-known around the world to museum curators, as well as film, television and event producers, Mr. Twist is an internationally recognized, award-winning miniature sculptor and painter and director of historical reconstruction. His work has provided accurate reproductions of period dress worn in many Hollywood blockbusters and documentaries. The discussion will be focused on the uniforms and equipment used by the troops living at Fort Erie in the 18^th century.

Subsequent speakers to take part in the series will include Gavin K. Watt, Canada’s top authority on the personal and military experiences of Loyalists in the American War of Independence, as well as Dr. Carl Benn, Professor at Ryerson University and Dr. John Triggs, Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University. *For full details on the speakers and their topics to be covered, please see the attached backgrounder.

The Canada 250: Old Fort Erie in the 1700s speaker series will take place over the course of four selected evenings in March, April, May and June, and will be held at the visitor centre theatre at Old Fort Erie. Admission to each event is $10, or a season’s pass can be purchased for $23.27, which also includes admission to the Fort and all special events for 2019.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit niagaraparks.com/oldforterie.