Beef-barley soup and “soldie-style bread” opened a three-course meal at Navy Hall on Feb. 7 as the Friends of Fort George staged the third annual Mayor’s Dinner to raise money for student heritage jobs at Fort George and Brock’s Monument.
The fundraiser aimed to expand summer staffing that supports War of 1812 interpretation and other programs, which rely on seasonal student jobs to run tours, talks and visitor activities across Niagara’s national historic sites.
At the start of his remarks, Fort George manager Dan LaRoche shared a War of 1812 order once posted around the town that any suspicious “aliens,” meaning Americans, were to be brought to the port major — who in the present day, LaRoche noted, would be himself.
In reference to the presence of New York state Sen. Rob Ortt, one of the only Americans who attended the dinnner, LaRoche joked, “Thank you for saving me the time.”
The Friends of Fort George hired 11 students last year at a cost of more than $100,000, said executive director Amanda Gamble. She said grants cover some of that cost and the group raises the rest through events, its Fort George gift shop and programming at Brock’s Monument. The dinner raised $7,000 to cover those expenses, the same goal as last year.
Gamble said the Friends hire three to four students each year for Brock’s Monument programming from May through Labour Day weekend. Restoration work at the monument will limit access this season, including the stairs to climb up the monument, which could affect the group’s ability to raise money on site, according to Gamble. The Friends is planning on opening an outdoors pop-up tent near the monument to continue serving visitors this summer.
“For us, it is these really meaningful life experiences for the students, something unique and special that they can carry into teaching, museums, or other careers,” Gamble said.
Friends of Fort George president Tony Chisholm told attendees the non-profit works with Parks Canada to hire students for heritage programming across several Niagara historic sites including Fort George, Brock’s Monument, Butler’s Barracks, Fort Mississauga, Mississauga Point Lighthouse, Navy Island and lakeshore properties.
“One of the biggest ways that we support Parks Canada is through student employment, and all the proceeds from this evening will help us hire more students,” he said.
The Friends of Fort George aim to hire 15 students this year. He recognized two returning students— Andrew Laliberte and Gavin Watson, who were in attendence guarding the door at the dinner —who have worked at Brock’s Monument while studying at Brock University.
“We can actually use what we’re studying and have conversations with people, and it teaches the soft skills to engage with visitors,” said Watson.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa thanked guests and introduced members of council, including Coun. Erwin Wiens, Coun. Tim Balasuk and regional Coun. Andrea Kaiser. He also welcomed New York state Sen. Ortt and his wife, Meghan, which he said reflected the importance of cross-border ties during the ongoing U.S.–Canada trade war affecting Niagara-on-the-Lake businesses.
LaRoche told the room the War of 1812 remains central to Canada’s story and acknowledged the significant Indigenous support the British received during the conflict.
“Had things gone differently in this conflict, our country very simply might not exist today,” LaRoche said.
LaRoche also presented artifacts tied to War of 1812 figures and units, including a bayonet marked to the King’s 8th Regiment and a sword engraved for Ralph Clench, a Butler’s Rangers veteran who fought at Queenston Heights.
Parks Canada special events co-ordinator Peter Martin said staffing levels shape what visitors see and learn at the fort.
“The more students we get, the more alive we can make the fort look and the more we can offer visitors,” he said.
Martin also promoted upcoming Fort George events, including a Friday lecture series through February and a First World War re-enactment weekend on May 30 and May 31.
