FORT ONTARIO, OSWEGO N.Y.
Brigade members are cordially invited to return to Fort Ontario State Historic Site for the first time since 1996. Positioned at the mouth of the Oswego River and Lake Ontario, four versions of Fort Ontario have guarded the traditional Mohawk-Oneida-Oswego water route from Schenectady to the Great Lakes. Today the fort is being restored to the common age of its surviving buildings and walls, 1868 – 1872. Remains of three earlier fortifications lie within the ramparts and it retains it’s 1759 pentagonal shape.
First built by the British in 1755, Fort Ontario and two other forts were attacked and destroyed by the French under Montcalm in 1756. Rebuilt by the British in 1759 it was used to support the Prideaux-Johnson campaign against Fort Niagara. French forces attempting to disrupt the siege of Fort Niagara attacked Fort Ontario while it was under construction but they were driven off.
Loyalists refugees occupied Fort Ontario in the summer of 1775, and Col. Barry St. Leger used it a base during his 1777 Mohawk Valley campaign. Abandoned by the British and burnt by the elements of the 3rd NY Regiment in 1778, Fort Ontario was rebuilt by the British in 1782. Fort Ontario was the objective of Washington’s last campaign of the War for Independence in February 1783 which ended in failure.
In 1796 Fort Ontario was turned over to the United States. After a furious two day amphibious assault in May 1814 Fort Ontario fell to the British and was destroyed.
The present version of Fort Ontario was built by the United States in 1839-45 following a period of tension along the Canadian border known as the Patriot War. Regular U.S.Army troops occupied the post nearly continuously until 1944. From 1944 – 1946 Fort Ontario served as the only refugee camp in the United States for victims of the Nazi Holocaust. Today the 444th Engineer Company,USAR, veterans of the Iraq conflict, proudly carry on a 256 year old history of military occupation of the Fort Ontario Military Reservation. Essayons!
Amenities: Wood,Water, Straw, and Portasans.
Must pre-register with event organizer Bob Winowitch; there is no site fee.
Must be filled out, registering you as a site volunteer and thus covered by NYS Workers Compensation Insurance as well as the BAR’s. Download a copy from the Friends of Fort Ontario Website at www.fortontario.com and bring it with you to save time at registration.
From the east take the NYS Thruway to Exit 34A, go north on I481 to the City of Oswego,turn right on Route 104 East and then turn left (north ) on East 4th Street. From the west take the NYS Thruway to Exit 40 Weedsport,then turn left (north) on Route 34 to Route 104, turn right (east) on 104 to the City of Oswego and turn left (north) on East 4th Street.From Ontario & Quebec Provinces take 81 South to Exit 34 (Mexico) west to 104. Go west on 104 to the City of Oswego, turn north
(right on East 4th Street).
Area Attractions:Safe Haven Museum, Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter at www.oswegohaven.org
H. Lee White Marine Museum at www.hleewhitemarinemuseum.com and the Oswego Railroad Museum at www.oswegorailroadmuseum.org
Event contacts:
Historic Site Manager: Paul Lear at Paul.Lear@oprhp.state.ny.us or (315) 343-4711
Historic Site Assistant: Richard LaCrosse at Richard.LaCross@oprhp.state.ny.us
Event Coordinator: Bob Winowitch, 3rd NY,631-585-4009 or bobwinowitch@aol.com.
CCM Coordinator: Cate Crown, CCM Supt, 609-396-9262 or crowncate@verzion.net
Allied Commander: Dave Miller, 5th VA,440-842-9128,
Crown Commander: Reginald James,KRRNY,416-691-7504,
For Micro-Breweries, Fishing, Hotels, Restaurants and more try: www.visitoswegocounty.com
Bring period gear and fish off of Flat Rock by King Arthur’s Steak & NYS Fishing License required age 16 or over. www.kingarthurssteakhouse.com
Thursday, August 12:Farmer’s Market: downtown Oswego
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.. Shop in kit! West 1st Str. & Route 104.
Recruiting Stations: downtown 11:00 a.m.
– 3:00 p.m. at West 1st Str. & Rte. 104
7:30 a.m. Musicians Call,followed by Reveille
9:00 a.m. Officers Call
9:30 a.m. NCO Call
9:45 a.m. Vehicles out of camp.
10:00 a.m. Fort and Camp open to the public.
Children’s games.Assembly & Inspection in fort and camps.
10:15 a.m. Post Pickets & Guards
11:00 a.m. People of the Brigade Tavern opens to public – lightsnacks & refreshments
1:00 p.m. Knitting Project for Women of the Brigade at Mistress Crown's Marquee
2:00 P.m. Main assault on Fort3:30 p.m. Period Games – Quoits, Shinny, Cricket etc… Bring implements!
5:00 p.m. Fort closes to the public
8:45 p.m. Tavern Opens to reenactors –light snacks & refreshments
7:30 a.m. Musician’s Call,followed by Reveille.
9:00 a.m. Officers Call
9:30 a.m. NCO Call
10:00 a.m. Fort & Camps open to the public.Children’s games.Assembly & Inspection in fort& camp.
10:15 a.m. Post Pickets & Guards, PeriodGames – Quoits, Shinny, Cricket
11:00 a.m. People of the BrigadeTavern open to public – lightsnacks & refreshments
2:00 p.m. Main assault on Fort
3:00 p.m. Inspection, Pass in Review,Retreat & Dismissed!