The National Historic site at Fort York will be commemorating the burning of York by the American forces on Sunday April 29, 2012. Although 2012 is the Bicentennial year for the War of 1812, the 199th anniversary of the Battle of York, fought on April 27, 1813 is being commemorated this weekend. The day events start at 10:00 A.M. and continue to 5:00 P.M.
As a Torontonian growing up in the area close to Fort York , I was always eager to see the old fort and developed an interest and fascination for this period of history. The years of 2012-13 will be exciting with a series of events depicting the American invasion.
Activities for the day include:
- The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps performs period displays of naval shore gunnery drill,
- 19th-century seamanship demos,
- Gig, drill & musket firing demo,
- Visit the soldiers’ barracks brought to life by museum animators,
- Visit the Officers’ Mess Kitchen for Georgian-era cooking demos,
- Tour of the grounds, fortification and barracks,
- Children can “fall-in” and learn the same foot and musket drill practiced by the Upper Canada Militia 200 years ago.
Today Fort York defensive walls enclose Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. For more events on the War of 1812 in Toronto see City of Toronto .