The past was certainly present in Niagara-on-the-Lake during the annual heritage festival at the NOTL Museum on Monday afternoon.
Featuring a number of vendors, information booths, live music and presentations, guests could enjoy a step back in history — with no cost for admission.
Even the lesser-known sides of history were on display.
Karen and Chris Travers attended the heritage festival for the first time, representing their independent re-enactment unit.
“Our unit represents Canadians who fought for the Americans during the War of 1812,” Karen Travers told The Lake Report.
Along with an interest in whether the muskets on display were real period pieces, Travers said many guests were shocked and surprised that Canadians actually fought for the Americans.
“We weren’t really talked about,” she said.
David Brandow, a blacksmith from Guelph, Ont., took passersby right into the past with a live demonstration of his thousands-year-old craft.
Seven-year-old Linda Rudolph was lucky enough to receive a “gold” ring from Brandow, made right in front of her.
Rudolph said getting the ring was the highlight of the entire trip from St. Catharines.
If weapons were more your speed, Matt Blondo from Niagara Historical Fencing had a number of swords on hand to show guests.
The team at Niagara Historical Fencing takes historical texts from the 1400s to the late 1800s and interprets them in the classroom to teach fencing students, Blondo said.
Blondo’s personal favourite sword on display was the basket-hilted broadsword, used mainly by the Scottish.
Seven-year-old Rupert Kelly was fascinated by all the objects on display.
“My favourite part was the guns,” Kelly said.
The Past is Present Heritage Festival brought hundreds of visitors to the museum on Monday, to the organization’s benefit.
“Everything kind of eventually goes to the expansion,” said director of finance and marketing Amy Klassen.
The festival is also part of the museum’s regular fundraising for day-to-day programming and exhibitions.
“It’s just a great day for the community with free admission to the museum,” Klassen said.
