Fort Henry National Historic Site
Fort Henry is located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada on a point of land near the mouth of the Cataraqui River where it flows into the St. Lawrence River at the upper end of the Thousand Islands. The original fort was constructed during the War of 1812. The British anticipated an attack on Point Henry due to its proximity to the Royal Navy Dockyards at the site of the present-day Royal Military College of Canada at the eastern end of Lake Ontario just outside Kingston, Ontario. The loss of this vital shipping route would have cut off Kingston and the rest of Upper Canada from supplies being brought from Great Britain.
The present Fort Henry was constructed between 1832 and 1837. It was constructed to protect the Lake Ontario end of the Rideau Canal, which was constructed as an alternative route to the Saint Lawrence. A system of defensive works was planned but cost overruns in the construction of canal limited the fortifications to four Martello towers and the fort. Among the Historic regiments that garrisoned the Fort were the Black Watch, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the 33rd Regiment of Foot, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Royal Welch Fusiliers.
The British Army withdrew in 1870, shortly after Canadian Confederation. It was then garrisoned by Canadian troops until 1891.The fort witnessed the founding of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery,one of the first regiments in the Canadian army whose B battery was based at the fort. The fort was then abandoned and fell into disrepair. Under the leadership of Ronald L. Way, restorations took place and the fort was reopened as a living history museum on the 1st of August 1938.
The Fort was also used as a Prisoner of War camp during the First and Second World Wars, holding Ukrainian detainees during World War One and Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine personel during the Second.
The Fort Today
Today the fort is a major tourist attraction in the Kingston area. Tours of the fort can be taken in group settings or as self-guided adventures. The fort is staffed by the Fort Henry Guard, costumed military intrepters who are ready to assist the visitor. Throughout the day there are various activities including historical reenactment of drills and battle tactics, the Garrison Parade, the Victorian School Room, and the Muster Parade, where visitors are dressed in period costume and taught to march by a qualified member of the Guard. There is also a Sunset Ceremony every Wednesday in July and August, where a full program of historic drill, music and artillery is presented.Fort Henry has been designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
See also: List of forts