Compared to some countries, the history in Canada is fairly recent. That doesn't mean that there is any lack of historical landmarks worth visiting for travellers. One of the most popular places to visit, is Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario.
History of Fort Henry
Over its history, there were actually 2 Fort Henry's built on the site. The first and original was constructed during the War of 1812, when the British colony of Canada was at war with the United States of America. The location was chosen to protect the vital St. Lawrence seaway. After the war, a second fort was built on the site to fortify its position. This happened between 1832 and 1837, after the completion of the Rideau Canal made the site even more important. It was abandoned in 1870 by the British army and was eventually restored in 1936.
Tourist Activities at Fort Henry
Today, the fort is an active museum. You can tour all parts of the facility, from the batteries and ramparts to the officer's quarters and mess hall. There are other living spaces like the kitchen, bakery, school room and wine cellar open to the public too. There are frequent guided tours, in both English and French.
Besides seeing the building itself, there are museum exhibits all through the lower level, with displays of artillery, medals, and other historic items. All through the day there are rifle drills, gun parades, re-enactments, and many people dressed in period costume to complete the historic feel of the fort. And you can't forget the Garrison Store gift shop.
Check with the events page of the Fort Henry website to see more about the special events taking place in the month you plan on making your visit. During the summer, there are special sunset ceremonies with cannon and artillery drills, and in September there is an Equestrian competition.
Where is it?
Kingston is located in southern Ontario on the shores of Lake Ontario, right on the major 401 highway. It's about a 2-hour drive southwest of the capital city of Ottawa, and would be a pleasant day-trip for anyone spending time in Ottawa. The fort sits right in the city, just east of the main downtown area.
More Fort Details
The regular season for the fort's operation is from mid May until early October. The hours are 10am – 5pm, and there are fees for admission. There may also be extra charges for some of the special events (such as the sunset ceremonies). For more information on visiting the fort, visit their website.
Other Sights Nearby
As mentioned above, the capital city of Ottawa is only a 2-hour drive away, offering a whole host of other tourist opportunities. In Ottawa, you can visit the Rideau Canal, the parliament buildings, the National Art Gallery, and more. If you prefer to stay in Kingston, there are boat cruises of the famous 1000 islands, excellent wreck diving, and even a historic haunted walk of the city.
Terri Paajanen - Terri Paajanen is a published author and freelance writer. She has been writing on a wide-range of topics for years, including spending ...
