Join the soldiers of Fort Niagara’s garrison as they demonstrate how 18th century people dealt with a long western New York winter. Activities include winter shelter building, Native American games and customs, showshoeing (weather permitting), soldier life, fire-starting and other winter skills. The event includes special hands-on activities for families. At 2:00 p.m. venture out into the woods and witness a winter skirmish between French and British forces.

Program Schedule

10:00 a.m.—Noon: A Winter’s Project: Cordwaining- Sir William Johnson (SWJ) Room

10:00 a.m. – Noon: Quill Penmanship – SWJ Room

10:00 a.m.—Noon: Winter Games

10:00 a.m. – Noon: Native Songs and Stories

10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.: Food on the Frontier- Boulangerie

10:15 a.m.: Musket Firing

11:00 a.m.: Fur Trading Demonstration – Trade Room

11:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.: 18^th-Century Meal for Sale in the Log Cabin

11:15 a.m.: Musket Firing

11:30 a.m.: Winter Survival in the Fort and on the Trail – Lower Guard Room

Noon: Start a Fire with Flint and Steel – Lower Guard Room

12:15 p.m.: Musket Firing

12:30 p.m.: Shelter Building – Outside French Castle

1:00 p.m.: Tinsmithing- Make and Take a Tin Ornament – Provisions Storehouse

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Quill Penmanship- SWJ Room

1:15 p.m.: Musket Firing

1:30 p.m.: The History of the Snowshoe – Log Cabin – presented by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

2:00 p.m.: The Expedition – Meet at Log Cabin. Take a hike into the woods and witness a skirmish between French soldiers and British rangers and provincial troops. This is a one mile hike. Please wear practical footwear and dress for the weather. For those who do not wish to take the hike, activities at the fort will continue through the afternoon.

2:00 p.m.: Fur Trading Demonstration – Trade Room

2:00—3:30 p.m.: A Winter’s Project: Cordwaining– SWJ Room

2:00—3:30 p.m.: Winter Games

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Native Songs and Stories

2:15 p.m.: Musket Firing

3:15 p.m.: Musket Firing

4:00 p.m.: Musket Firing

This program is included in the regular fort admission fee. Members of the Old Fort Niagara Association are admitted free.