1812 BICENTENNIAL: Symposium examines campaign of final year of War of 1812

Posted January 14, 2014  by Bullet News

FORT ERIE – The year 2014 marks the bicentennial anniversary of the final year of the War of 1812 to 1814. Niagara is steeped in the history of this war, with battle sites, artifacts, forts and more.

The Niagara 1812 Legacy Council, in partnership with The Niagara Parks Commission, is pleased to present the Niagara 1814 Campaign Symposium at Old Fort Erie Saturday, Feb. 1, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Topics to be covered during the meeting include a discussion of British and American military perspectives, along with the role that Natives and civilians played during the final year of the war.

Admission to the event is $10 and those interested in attending are kindly being asked to register in advance at www.discover1812.com, or by phoning the Fort at 905-871-0540. There are limited tickets available.

The symposium will take place at NPC’s Old Fort Erie Welcome Centre (350 Lakeshore Rd., Fort Erie) with doors opening at 12:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Speakers at the symposium will include:

* Richard Hill – Chair of the Six Nations Legacy Consortium and expert on Native involvement in the War of 1812.

* Dianne Graves – Author of In the Midst of Alarms, covering the untold story of women during the War of 1812. Graves has acted as a consultant for a number of projects including the CBC series A People’s History of Canada and the PBS documentary The War of 1812.

* Donald Graves – A writer and historian specializing in Canadian military history, Graves has authored countless books on the War of 1812. His new book, And All Their Glory Past, covers the end of the War of 1812 in the North focusing on Fort Erie and Plattsburgh.

* Douglas Kohler – A history teacher and Erie County Historian, Kohler has written a number of articles on the War of 1812 and the history of Buffalo.

This is a Signature Niagara 1812 Event, identified by the Niagara 1812 Legacy Council. The Legacy Council is a cross-border nonprofit organization, established to commemorate the War of 1812 and celebrate the 200 years of peace between nations that has followed.

NPC is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that preserves a rich heritage, conserves natural wonders and Inspires people worldwide.

Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors, while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.

For the full schedule of bicentennial events in Niagara and Western New York, go to www.discover1812.com.