Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Old Fort Niagara Free Reenactment Workshop

During Old Fort Niagara's many summer events, staff are frequently asked by visitors and community members how a person gets involved in living history programs and reenacting. To answer this question and provide assistance in getting started, the Fort will host a special free seminar on Saturday, January 16 from 10:30 am until 3:00 pm in the Old Fort Niagara Visitor Center.


In addition to covering the basics of how to find and join a unit, do research, and locate suppliers, we will host representatives of several regional reenactment groups who portray a variety of time periods. Seminar participants will be able to discuss their interests with unit representatives and ask questions about getting involved in an educational and rewarding hobby.

The program is free, but the Fort will provide lunch at a cost of $8.00 per person (please call the Fort at (716) 745-7611 for lunch reservations). The morning session will cover the basics of historical reenacting and the afternoon session will allow participants to talk one-on-one with regional reenactment unit representatives.

Historical reenactment has become a popular leisure pursuit throughout North America. Each weekend, thousands of volunteers don historic costume and camp out at historic sites throughout the United States and Canada. Some reenact historic battles while others demonstrate period skills and learn about the past by reliving the experiences of their ancestors. In 2009 over 3,000 reenactors presented programs at Old Fort Niagara

For more information, contact the Jason Buckley at the Fort at (716) 745-7611. Old Fort Niagara is located in Youngstown, NY 14 miles north of Niagara Falls via the Robert Moses Parkway North. The fort opens at 9:00 am daily year 'round, and is open until 5:00 pm during the winter months. Admissions end at 4:30 pm. The Fort is closed December 25th and January 1st.

Old Fort Niagara is a National Landmark and State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association (a not-for-profit organization) in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

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