History Comes Alive with War of 1812

THUNDER BAY – Fort William Historical Park (FWHP) will reverberate with the roar of cannons and muskets during the War of 1812 Bicentennial Salute, Saturday, August 9th and Sunday, August 10th.

Throughout the day, visitors will get caught up in the tension throughout the fort as the fur traders and their Aboriginal allies fret over how the war will affect the North West Company.

Action flares up when morning skirmishes break out. Soldiers and militia will have encampments set up. Young visitors will find themselves participating in military drills. Visitors will have opportunity to fire a musket.

The mounting sequence of events leads to a major confrontation between American and the British forces culminating roughly at 2 pm.

The event serves to illustrate many aspects of the celebrated chapter in Canadian history, from its cause and significant incidents to 19th century battlefield strategy, to the routines of the rank and file soldier, to period medical techniques. Dramatic vignettes will demonstrate how the conflict impacted the North West Company and the active role the company as well as First Nations played in supporting British forces during the war.

Volunteers will be assisting in staging the event, including local members of the Canadian Corps of Voyageurs, Métis Nation of Ontario, and numerous individuals.

The event ties into educational programming that FWHP has been conducting in local and regional schools, joining in numerous commemorations of the War of 1812 that have been occurring across the country over the past two years.