Old Fort Niagara

06/03/2026

This weekend, you can watch the story of the French Castle unfold at Old Fort Niagara.

If you want a deeper understanding of what you’ll see on site, this podcast episode from Prime & Load follows the Castle from its beginnings in 1726 through the many ways the Fort has been shaped by the people who lived, worked, and passed through here.

It’s a great way to add context to the weekend’s programs, whether you’re watching the engineer’s arrival by ship, seeing the Fort laid out, or spending time inside the French Castle.

We’re open both days:
Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | Rededication Day programming across the Fort, including demonstrations, ceremonies, and an artillery salute

Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | Programs focused inside the Castle, with special presentations and guided thematic tours

We’re grateful to Prime & Load for taking the time to share this story. 💙

Listen here:

Join the Prime and Load War Room on PatreonOld Fort Niagara's 300th Birthday!Recommended Reading: Memoir Upon the Late War in North America by Pierre Pouchot The Siege of Fort Niagara 1759 by Brian Leigh DunniganEpisode SummaryFor t...

06/03/2026

As we prepare to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the French Castle this weekend, we want to recognize the individuals and organizations who made this milestone possible.

Our sincere thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, the Lawrence P. Castellani Family Foundation.

We are also grateful to our French Castle Loyal Defenders:
Bruce Newton, David and Joan Rogers, Reid Petroleum, and Sevenson Environmental.

And to our French Castle Guardians:
Alliance Française de Buffalo, Laurie and Kent Frey, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and Robert and Mary Catherine Hesse.

We are thankful as well for the many additional sponsors and community partners whose contributions have helped bring this weekend to life.

We look forward to sharing this moment with you all.

05/29/2026

🎉 The wait is over: Old Fort Niagara’s new drawbridge is complete! 🎉

We are incredibly excited to welcome visitors across this beautiful new entrance to the Fort. Reconstructing the drawbridge and approach trestle preserves an important piece of the site’s history while ensuring a strong and safe gateway for years to come.

The original bridge dates back to the French and Indian War and has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. After signs of deterioration, the 2026 reconstruction, funded by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, has brought this iconic feature back to life just in time for our 300th anniversary.

A huge thank you to Windkänter Construction LLC for their work on this project. It looks fantastic!

We cannot wait for you to cross it. Come visit and experience it for yourself!

05/26/2026

Join us as we celebrate the 300th anniversary of a true historic gem — our 1726 French Castle!

On Rededication Day Saturday, June 6, the Fort will present:

🔹 Ongoing living history demonstrations of skills and trades needed to build the French Castle
🔹 Immersive programs about soldier life
🔹 A glimpse into the historical interactions between the French and Indigenous peoples

Don't miss out! Purchase your ticket today!
https://www.oldfortniagara.org/special-events

05/21/2026

🇺🇸 Soldiers Through the Ages returns to Old Fort Niagara this Memorial Day Weekend! 🇺🇸

Join us May 23 & 24, 2026, for an action-packed journey through military history, from muskets to modern warfare, brought to life by reenactors, demonstrations, and living history programs across the Fort.

Event Hours:
Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday & Sunday (note: extended hours!)

Daily Program Highlights:
10:30 am | Colors Ceremony
11:30 am | Cocked Hats to Kevlar
12:00 pm | Artillery Through the Ages
12:30 pm | Civil War Casemate Tour
1:00 pm | Military Music
1:30 pm | Military Rations Through the Ages
2:00 pm | Matchlocks to M16s
3:00 pm | Firing a Flintlock Musket
3:30 pm | WWII Bunker Assault
4:30 pm | Retreat & Flag Lowering

Plus, ongoing demonstrations throughout the Fort all day long!

Experience centuries of military history in one memorable weekend. Perfect for families, history lovers, and anyone looking for a meaningful way to spend Memorial Day weekend.

Members enjoy exclusive discounts at many of our events. Renew or purchase a membership to take full advantage! https://www.oldfortniagara.org/become-a-member

05/15/2026

Looking for something a little different this weekend?

At Old Fort Niagara, we usually focus on the 18th and early 19th centuries, but Civil War Artillery School brings a different era to the parade ground!

Stop by to see cannon drill and live firing demonstrations, and get a closer look at how artillery crews worked a century later.

May 16 & 17
Open 10 am – 4 pm

05/12/2026

❤️ Big impact doesn’t have to mean a big one-time gift.

At Old Fort Niagara, we know that supporting the places you love should feel meaningful and manageable. That’s why we’re excited to share our new online donation platform, where you can now become a sustaining donor!

Monthly giving is an easy, flexible way to make a big difference. Even a small gift each month adds up over time, helping us preserve the Fort, care for our collections, and share history with future generations without putting strain on your budget.

Make your first monthly gift today:
https://shop.oldfortniagara.org/MakeDonation.aspx?skuid=1005160

Thank you for helping keep history alive at Old Fort Niagara!

05/08/2026

Experience the Niagara region's past brought to life! Travel through centuries of history at Old Fort Niagara’s Soldiers Through the Ages. 🪖

Join us for immersive living history demonstrations, historic camps and other exciting activities May 23 & 24!

Learn more: https://www.oldfortniagara.org/special-events

04/20/2026

Today is the final day to register for Politics, Diplomacy and Trade on the New York Frontier!

This one-day symposium is presented as part of Old Fort Niagara’s commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the French Castle and 300 years since the establishment of Fort Niagara. A limited number of seats remain; registration closes tonight at 11:59 pm.

Your registration includes full access to the day’s scholarly sessions, along with catered coffee and lunch, and supports Old Fort Niagara’s tricentennial programming, preservation work, and ongoing efforts to share the fort’s centuries‑spanning history.

🔗 Register here:

Scholars examine the geopolitical, cultural, & material dynamics that shaped the 18th‑century New York frontier & the rise of Fort Niagara.