1000 Islands International Travel Guide — 2012-2013
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War Of 1812 Bicentennial
The peaceful waters and shorelines of the 1000 Islands were once torn by fi ghting during the War of 1812. Sites along the 1000 Islands hosted signifi cant battles during the war and ultimately helped shape the development of Canada and paved the way for the peaceful, friendly border that exists today.
The War of 1812 (1812-1815) between the fledgling United States and Great Britain was caused by many factors including America’s desire to remain independent amid British actions in its war with
* Napoleon Bonaparte and the French. Canada was still under British rule and as such became an adversary to the United States. Canada would later develop into its own nationality in part because of the pride of repelling U.S. attacks during the war.
Eastern Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and 1000 Islands region played a strategic role in the war because it was Britain’s only access to Upper Canada and served as a passageway to America’s Great Lakes ports. More than a dozen military engagements played out on these shores, affecting families from crossriver communities such as Prescott and Ogdensburg, Brockville and Morristown, Gananoque and Clayton and the military bases in Kingston and Sackets Harbor.
The war did little to change the international border of the 1000 Islands. Each side made forays into the other’s territory but defense forces prevailed.
As Canada developed into its own nationality, the two sides embarked on a history of cooperation and peace. Joint projects such as the creation of the St. Lawrence shipping seaway and the Thousand Islands International Bridge system – which will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2013 – are examples of the cooperative spirit that flourishes today
MaY 19-21 Fort Wellington National Historic Site of Canada (Prescott, ON) Garrison Weekend features re-enactments, family activities, a children’s muster and the opening of a new Visitor Centre featuring a rare 1812-era gunboat wreck.
June 1-3 Spencerville Mill (Spencerville, ON) Bicentennial Heritage Fair includes militia and civil encampments, period dance workshops and performances. Heritage craft demonstrations, vendors and more.
June 18 Joel Stone Park (Gananoque, ON) Joel Stone Heritage Park will be unveiled on the anniversary of the United States’ declaration of war against Britain. A signature Eastern Ontario 1812 Event.
June 22-23 Brockville Memorial Center (Brockville, ON) 1000 Islands Food & Wine Festival will celebrate Sir Isaac Brock with period costumes, music and storytelling. Two-for-one admission to those wearing 1812 attire.
June 23 Courthouse Green (Brockville, ON) Gathering to celebrate the city’s namesake, Sir Isaac Brock, a Canadian hero and British general. Reenactors and rifl e regiment will be on site.
June 29-JULY 1 Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada (Kingston, ON) “The Escape of the Royal George,” a full-scale recreation of an attack on Kingston’s harbour featuring tallships and an evening musical concert. A signature Eastern Ontario 1812 Event.
JULY 4 Sackets Harbor Battlefi eld State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) “War of 1812 Songs & Stories” and fi reworks display.
JULY 14-aUG. 18 Kinsmen Amphitheatre (Prescott, ON) St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Othello” will be set in 1812 to honor the bicentennial.
JULY 20-21 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) Alliance Lawn Party featuring historical guest speakers.
AUG. 4-5 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) War of 1812 Weekend battle re-enactment.
AUG. 24-26 Gananoque waterfront and Arthur Child Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands (Gananoque, ON) Re-enactor encampments, two naval battles on the water and evening entertainment.
2013 MaY 29 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) Rededication of the Centennial Monument.
JULY 4 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) Musical performances and evening fireworks.
JULY 13-14 Crysler’s Farm National Historic Site and Upper Canada Village Heritage Park Re-enactment weekend commemorating the pivotal Battle of Crysler’s Farm. A signature Eastern Ontario 1812 Event.
AUG. 3-4 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) A large-scale re-enactment is planned at the site overlooking Lake Ontario. A War of 1812 vessels/ sail race between Kingston (ON) and Sackets Harbor (NY) will take place along with the dedication of the Bicentennial Memorial.
The War of 1812 (1812-1815) between the fledgling United States and Great Britain was caused by many factors including America’s desire to remain independent amid British actions in its war with
* Napoleon Bonaparte and the French. Canada was still under British rule and as such became an adversary to the United States. Canada would later develop into its own nationality in part because of the pride of repelling U.S. attacks during the war.
Eastern Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and 1000 Islands region played a strategic role in the war because it was Britain’s only access to Upper Canada and served as a passageway to America’s Great Lakes ports. More than a dozen military engagements played out on these shores, affecting families from crossriver communities such as Prescott and Ogdensburg, Brockville and Morristown, Gananoque and Clayton and the military bases in Kingston and Sackets Harbor.
The war did little to change the international border of the 1000 Islands. Each side made forays into the other’s territory but defense forces prevailed.
As Canada developed into its own nationality, the two sides embarked on a history of cooperation and peace. Joint projects such as the creation of the St. Lawrence shipping seaway and the Thousand Islands International Bridge system – which will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2013 – are examples of the cooperative spirit that flourishes today
MaY 19-21 Fort Wellington National Historic Site of Canada (Prescott, ON) Garrison Weekend features re-enactments, family activities, a children’s muster and the opening of a new Visitor Centre featuring a rare 1812-era gunboat wreck.
June 1-3 Spencerville Mill (Spencerville, ON) Bicentennial Heritage Fair includes militia and civil encampments, period dance workshops and performances. Heritage craft demonstrations, vendors and more.
June 18 Joel Stone Park (Gananoque, ON) Joel Stone Heritage Park will be unveiled on the anniversary of the United States’ declaration of war against Britain. A signature Eastern Ontario 1812 Event.
June 22-23 Brockville Memorial Center (Brockville, ON) 1000 Islands Food & Wine Festival will celebrate Sir Isaac Brock with period costumes, music and storytelling. Two-for-one admission to those wearing 1812 attire.
June 23 Courthouse Green (Brockville, ON) Gathering to celebrate the city’s namesake, Sir Isaac Brock, a Canadian hero and British general. Reenactors and rifl e regiment will be on site.
June 29-JULY 1 Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada (Kingston, ON) “The Escape of the Royal George,” a full-scale recreation of an attack on Kingston’s harbour featuring tallships and an evening musical concert. A signature Eastern Ontario 1812 Event.
JULY 4 Sackets Harbor Battlefi eld State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) “War of 1812 Songs & Stories” and fi reworks display.
JULY 14-aUG. 18 Kinsmen Amphitheatre (Prescott, ON) St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Othello” will be set in 1812 to honor the bicentennial.
JULY 20-21 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) Alliance Lawn Party featuring historical guest speakers.
AUG. 4-5 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) War of 1812 Weekend battle re-enactment.
AUG. 24-26 Gananoque waterfront and Arthur Child Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands (Gananoque, ON) Re-enactor encampments, two naval battles on the water and evening entertainment.
2013 MaY 29 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) Rededication of the Centennial Monument.
JULY 4 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) Musical performances and evening fireworks.
JULY 13-14 Crysler’s Farm National Historic Site and Upper Canada Village Heritage Park Re-enactment weekend commemorating the pivotal Battle of Crysler’s Farm. A signature Eastern Ontario 1812 Event.
AUG. 3-4 Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site (Sackets Harbor, NY) A large-scale re-enactment is planned at the site overlooking Lake Ontario. A War of 1812 vessels/ sail race between Kingston (ON) and Sackets Harbor (NY) will take place along with the dedication of the Bicentennial Memorial.
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