Welcome to the Official Website of the Friends of Fort Ontario.

WE NEED YOU to VOLUNTEER at the Fort.............

An Evening With Bemelmans

“In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines

lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.”

Do you recognize this passage as the opening lines to every Madeline book in the classic children’s book series? If so, you’ve already been exposed to the writing of one of the most interesting personalities in literature and art during the mid-20th century.  Ludwig Bemelmans will be the subject of “An Evening With Bemelmans” at Fort Ontario State Historic Site, May 23, 2012, in the Enlisted Men’s Barracks. The program, to be presented by Fort Ontario curator, Jennifer Emmons, will begin at 7:15 pm. A donation of $3 per person is suggested and light refreshments will be provided.

While many people may recognize the name of Ludwig Bemelmans as the name of the beloved children’s book series, Madeline, very few know that he also wrote books for adults, at least one Hollywood movie script, and was known an accomplished painter on the Paris and New York art scene as well. Fewer still know of his connection with Fort Ontario and the city of Oswego, the primary focus of “An Evening With Bemelmans,” This period of his life usually glossed over as “He enlisted in the US Army in 1917” in most of the autobiographical blurbs on the sleeves of his books; however, research and his own tales of life at Fort Ontario suggest that his stay in Oswego played an influential part in contributing to the author who would be loved by millions.

Fort Ontario State Historic Site is located at the north end of East 4^th Street in the City of Oswego .  For more information on May 23^’s program or Fort Ontario, contact Jennifer Emmons at [Jenny.Emmons@parks.ny.gov].

French and Indian
	War 2012
Preparations are under way to host a major French and Indian War event at FortOntario on June 30-July1, 2012. Several hundred reenactors from the all over the United States and Canadawill converge on Oswego to commemorate Fort Ontario’significant role in the international conflict which ended French control of Canada.

ATTACK ON THE REAR GUARD AT OSWEGO
 On June 30 – July 1, 2012, 

Contact:  Paul Lear [Paul.Lear@parks.ny.gov]   George Bray  [george@frontiernet.net]

Fort Ontario: Phione 315-343-4711  Fax 315-343-1430 

More Information and Registration Forms

Fort Ontario State Historic Site and the Friends of Fort Ontario

Spring 2012 Living History Workshop Series

Bayonet and Blade-work- 18^th century Martial Arts and Close-Quarters Comb

June 2 & 3

A two-day workshop on the use of the hangar, bayonet, tomahawk, halberd, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the research being done in the field of Historic European Martial Arts (HEMA) before actively training in the use of these arms. Due to the nature of this hands-on workshop, enrollment is limited to 20 participants over the age of 16. Registration deadline in May 25^th, 2012.

Fee $35.00 for adults 18 and over

         $25.00 for youth 16-18.

Inside the Black Room: 18^th and 19^th century Espionage and Intelligence

June 16 & 17

This workshop will cover Espionage and Intelligence work around the end of the 18th century into the 19th century. Participants will study such topics  as disguise, interrogation, cryptology, mapping, rapid memorization techniques, escape and evasion, as well as disinformation and counter-intelligence; then put these concepts into practice. Due to the nature of this program enrollment is limited to 14 participants over the age of 12. Registration deadline is June 8^th, 2012.

Fee $35.00 for adults 18 and over

            $25.00 for youth 12-18

18^th century Military Engineering and Field Fortification

June 23 & 24

This two-day workshop focuses on the work done by the Engineers, Miners and Sappers of the 18^th century. It will include exercises in siege works, bridging, mapping, terrain sketching, tools and equipment, as well as coverage of the theory and practice of both field and permanent fortification. All tools and equipment will be provided by the site. Due to the nature of this program, enrollment is limited to 20 participants above the age of 14. Registration deadline is June 15^th, 2012.

Fee $35.00 for adults 18 and over

              $25.00 for youth 14-18.

For more info or to register, contact Ian Mumpton at imumpton@gmail.com

Fort Ontario Summer Youth Program Registration Opens

                Fort Ontario State Historic Site is pleased to announce the return of its popular Summer Youth Program for ages 8-16. Last year over a hundred youth participated in 18^th and 19^th century games, sports, military drill, wilderness tactics, martial arts and much more. The program, coordinated and run by AmeriCorps members Ian Mumpton and Steven Woods with assistance from the Friends of Fort Ontario, Oswego County AmeriCorps, and New York State Parks, is designed to connect kids with local history through physical activity.

                “The kids have a lot of fun with all kinds of activities:” said Mumpton, “stilt races, tug of war, games like bat and trap and croquet. They also get the chance to reenact historical situations such as sending out scouting patrols, learning how to march and drill with wooden muskets, and building simple fortifications. They have a blast and learn through hands-on activities.”

                Said Woods, “This is the history that happened in their back yards; literally in many cases. This program gives kids the opportunity for an up close and personal look at life in the 18^th and 19^th centuries at Fort Ontario. It’s really a unique opportunity.”

                The program will feature weekly sessions for a variety of age groups starting July 9^th and running until August 24^th. There is no fee to attend, but preregistration is required. No electronic devices (portable music players, game systems, etc…) are allowed at the program. Registration opens May 7^th, 2012. Information on available sessions and registration is available on the fort’s website, www.fortontario.com or by emailing 
FOSummerProgram@gmail.com.

Fort Ontario’s Summer History Programs Weeks

French and Indian War week:

Do you have the courage to take the King’s Shilling this summer at Fort Ontario? Youths ages 8-16 are invited to step back in time and learn what life was like on the New York frontier during the French and Indian war. Become a British or French soldier or try your hand as a trader on the frontier. Learn how to move silently in the forest or take on your friends in a game of 18^th century cricket.  Youth will have the opportunity to participate a wide variety of historical activities including military drill and wilderness tactics, historic games such as 9 pins and Bat & Trap, 18^th century engineering, and much more. This five day program runs Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm. The dates are July 9-13 for ages 11-16 and July 16-20 for ages 8-11. There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. All participants must bring a bagged lunch and refillable water-bottle each day.

Revolutionary War week:

The flames of Revolution sweep the land! Will you heed the King’s call to restore peace and order to the colonies? Youth ages 8-16 are invited to join the garrison of Fort Ontario and relive the turbulent days of the American Revolution on the New York frontier, from the perspective of the soldiers garrisoning the fort at the time. Participants will learn 18^th century military drill, espionage techniques and battle-field engineering as well as popular pastimes of the period including stilt racing and the exhilarating game of shinny. This five day program runs Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm. The dates are July 23-27 for ages 11-16 and July 30-August 3 for ages 8-11. There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. All participants must bring a bagged lunch and refillable water-bottle each day.

1812 week:

The British fleet has been sighted, prepare for defense! Youth 8-13 are invited to join the 3^rd US Artillery at Fort Ontario this summer and learn what life was like in Oswego in the days surrounding the War of 1812. Learn what it took to assault a fortification, send out a scouting party, then retire to the barracks for a game of 9-pin bowling and other historic past-times. Participants will engage in hands-on activities such as artillery and infantry drill, historic games and sports such as Cat & Mouse, a reenactment of the Great Rope carry, and much more. This five day program runs Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm. The program runs August 6-10. There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required. All participants must bring a bagged lunch and refillable water-bottle each day.

Civil War week:

Rebel forces have fired on Fort Sumter, and President Lincoln needs you to restore our Union! Youths ages 8-16 are invited to join the garrison at Fort Ontario this summer and relive the days of the American Civil War. Shoulder your musket and learn 1860’s military drill and bayonet combat, enjoy a relaxing (but cut-throat) game of 19^th century croquet, try your hand at deciphering coded messages, and much more. This five day program runs Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm, August 13-17 for ages

Fort Ontario State Historic Site
One East Fourth Street
Oswego, New York 13126 USA
Telephone: 1-315-343-4711

fortontariofriends@gmail.com

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