Tony Chisholm
Special to The Lake Report

The Friends of Fort George asked Parks Canada about the latest information on the Federal Infrastructure and Investment Projects at Niagara National Historic Sites to see what has been accomplished to date, and here is their report.

At Fort George, extensive work to Blockhouse 1, 2 and 3 is nearing completion. The blockhouses now have new clapboard, as well as repairs to the windows and doors.

The Octagonal Blockhouse, just outside the main palisades, has undergone foundation repairs, landscape work, repairs to the log structure and the installation of new roof and siding. In addition, a new electrical distribution panel was installed for the electrical system in the tunnel, Octagonal Blockhouse, and powder magazine.

The rehabilitation of the stone powder magazine began in June 2020 and is now complete. This building is arguably the oldest military building in Ontario, and the only building in the fort to survive the War of 1812. 

The powder magazine had its stonework repaired and its masonry cleaned and protected. There was also landscape work to improve drainage, the application of metal flashing, the installation of new copper gutters and roofing, as well as repairs to the copper entrance door.  

At the Junior Commissariat Officers’ Quarters at Butler’s Barracks, asbestos and lead paint have been removed, and the building deemed safe. Work will progress toward the stabilization and is likely to begin in the winter of 2021.

Parks Canada will continue to follow the advice of public health officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and assess the feasibility of carrying out this work closer to that time. The goal of this project is to preserve as many of the original building materials as possible while ensuring that the structure is adequately stabilized.  

At the Fort Mississauga national historic site, the work on the stabilization and preservation of the central brick tower is complete. This restoration work included the installation of a new roof, which represents an earlier style and will allow the walls to dry out over the coming years.

Repairs were also made to exterior and interior walls. Lastly, solar panels were installed on the roof to charge a battery system that feeds the new interior and exterior lighting systems.

Near Fort Mississauga there was extensive shoreline protection to address erosion and the installation of 600 metres of break wall. 

Parks Canada, in conjunction with its lessee, the Niagara-On-The-Lake Golf Club, also planted over 400 native Carolinian tree species and shrubs along the shoreline. Parks Canada will maintain these plantings and ensure they successfully take root in the next few years and replace any dead trees and bushes with new ones.

The slope and earthworks of Fort Mississauga have also seen the removal of non-native and invasive plants to protect the earthworks and archeology, and open up historic views to highlight the fort’s prominent position at the mouth of the Niagara River, opposite Fort Niagara.

Parks Canada is finishing up the work of removing stumps and planting grass on the slopes. The final phase of the project also included the construction of a new walking trail for public use, providing a safe route for pedestrians along the shoreline while accessing the Fort Mississauga tower and earthworks. This work is nearing completion. The trail should be open to visitors in early 2021.

These major projects will help restore our precious national historic sites in town well into the future and preserve our history for the enjoyment of all.  

* The Friends of Fort George is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with Parks Canada to preserve and promote the heritage of Niagara's national historic sites. Through special events and the operation of two gift shops, the Friends of Fort George generate awareness and funds to support summer student employment at Fort George and Brock's Monument at Queenston Heights. Please consider becoming a member of the Friends of Fort George. See www.friendsoffortgeorge.ca.