Remember the Raid an Astounding Success in Gananoque

“Oye!  Oye!  Oye!” the voice of Brian Mabee, Town Crier for Gananoque rang out over the crowds.  “My lords and ladies, lend me thine ears!  MP Gord Brown, MPP Stephen Clark, Mayor Erika Demchuk, Miss Canada International Melanie Williamson, Chair Paul Scott, re-enactors!  Please sing along to ‘God Save the King’ played by the fife and drum…”

Thus began the official celebration of…

Remember the Raid Hits Gananoque This Weekend

It’s almost here!  Man the battlements, get the women, children and all your prized possessions under cover!  Gananoque is about to be raided once again, just as it was in 1812.

And this time, they’re ready for them.  From August 24-26, the town will be filled with activities as re-enactors descend on the area and bring the era back to life.  From gunfire on the river and in the parks,…

A Taste of 1812 and Other Goodies at Third Annual Mallorytown Old-Tyme Village Fair

“In the shade of the old apple tree,

Where the love in your eyes I could see…”

-          In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree

Hold onto your hats, Gentlemen, and Ladies, modestly tuck your ankles out of sight – it’s time to step back a century or two and just have fun at the third annual Mallorytown Village Fair.  There are hoops and…

Regency Dream Ball to Be Held at Gananoque Legion

Bring out your dancing slippers, your finest Regency gowns and your tailcoats as you get ready to partake of the best in English Country Dancing.  No ball in 1812 would have been complete without the elegantly attired ladies and gentlemen tripping through such classic favourites as “Bonnet’s So Blue” , “Comical Fellow” and “The Duke Of Kent’s Waltz” along with a host of others, all called…

Remember the Raid Set for August 24 Weekend

Armed troops gather and begin their march into Gananoque.  In this war against the British, the Americans feel they must cut off the supply lines through Upper Canada, paralyze access along the St. Lawrence River.  And where better to start…

Thus, the first shot fired on the St. Lawrence River during the War of 1812 was at Gananoque on September 21, 1812, in a daring raid by about 200…

The Abrams Brothers Coming to Remember the Raid

Hold onto your hearts, girls, those Abrams boys are coming to town, and their combination sound, a blend of bluegrass, country and folk-rock, is going to sweep you away.

The Abrams Brothers – John, James and cousin Elijah – will be coming to Gananoque on August 25 to help celebrate “Remember the Raid”, a spectacular three days of War of 1812 re-enactments involving camps, battles,…

Official Joel Stone Heritage Park Opens with Flags Waving

“O, Canada, we stand on guard for thee!”

Never were these words sung with more heartfelt meaning than at the first raising of the new 15’ x 30’ Canadian flag on the 80’ flagpole on the berm at Joel Stone Heritage Park on June 18.

Part of the official opening ceremonies for the park, the flag raising was preceded by music, speeches and displays of many…

New Season at Arthur Child Museum Salutes Joel Stone and the War of 1812

Gananoque’s elite gathered at the Arthur Child Museum on Water Street in Gananoque to usher in the new season on April 28.  This year’s theme is the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

“Putting this exhibit together has been a wonderful challenge, exciting and worrisome, but at the end of the day we hope that you will come back, that you will bring your guests and…

Local Horticulturalists Drawn to 1812 Gardening Workshop in Kingston

On April 24, members of the Ganananoque, Collins Bay, Bath and Kingston Horticultural Societies met at the Isabelle Turner Library in Kingston to learn more about gardening during the 1812 era.

“This actually the kick-off event for our spring 2012 workshop series, and this is kind of a new venture for all of us,” said Maureen Williams of the Kingston Horticultural…

Canadian Quilts Highlighted at Sacket’s Harbor 1812 Quilt Show

“The drums they do beat, the wars do alarm,

The captain calls, we must obey”

-          Farewell to Nova   Scotia

A comforter is often thought of as exactly that – something warm and soft and designed to give comfort on a cold, dreary night.  Also called a quilt, it can be a handmade gift from a loved one, a reminder of home and family far away.  And, as…

Getting Regency Fashions Ready for the War of 1812 Bicentenniel

The bicentennial for the War of 1812 is upon us.  And there isn’t a thing to wear!

About 40 people gathered at the Dreams in Motion studio on William   Street South in Gananoque to learn how to solve that problem perfectly.  At a highly informative workshop on appropriate clothing for the period, re-enactors gave detailed explanations of what to wear, how to wear it,…

Christmas in 1812 was a very different affair than it is today. Heck, Charles Dickens wasn’t even born until early 1812, and even his holiday classic portrays a Christmas far different than modern customs dictate - and the Victorian celebrations are arguably the basis for our current ways. (Think…

Can you guess what's wrong with this re-enactor? We promise you something is - and so much that we had to protect her identity. Answers can be posted below - and please, be kind! This picture was taken deliberately. …

Some people are just lucky. Their parents or grandparents kept the family history alive and passed it on.

Take George Wood of Lombardy, for example. On the way back from fighting a barn fire as a teenager, George's dad showed him…

With 210 days remaining before the beginning of the War of 1812 Bicentennial, already there have been many great commemorative events, including a planning session in Finch and an 1812 Dinner series in Prescott. We also heard rumours of a movie shoot in Bath this weekend, and are eagerly awaiting more information!

Beyond events, this past weekend also brought…

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One of the most rewarding ways to experience the War of 1812 Bicentennial is to volunteer.

Here are five ways you can get involved in commemorating the War of 1812 through volunteering:

1.) Volunteer at an Event: 

Volunteering at events provides an up close experience…

While 2012 is still a few weeks off, many events related the War of 1812 Bicentennial are already underway.

Two events that we were able to attend this past week were excellent.

Remembering Crysler's Farm

November 11 marks not just remembrance day, but the anniversary of the Battle at Crysler's Farm.

Each year descendants and others…

Donald E. Graves, renowned 1812 historian, has published a piece on Crysler's Farm well worth the read in the Ottawa Citizen.

"On Remembrance Day, Canadians commemorate the valour of our soldiers who died in the First World War and later conflicts. Such is the attention paid to the violent 20th century that we sometimes forget the soldiers who served in earlier times." More…

This week I was given a rare treat. The ever fabulous interpretation officers at Fort Wellington National Historic Site invited me to set off their cannon "Willy" before putting him away for the winter. I would love to tell you how stoic I was in firing the artillery, but alas there is video footage to the contrary - I jumped.

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