Experience the past, and learn about the Villager experience of 1812!

On July 23, join us to explore the Village and discover how the war affected local inhabitants’ daily lives.

Explore the village and learn about life for villagers during the War of 1812 and in the Regency period.

Learn militia drills, meet with a medical historian, and play games from over 200 years ago!

From 2:00-4:00 learn Regency Dances. Costumes are encouraged but not required!

Musical Entertainment with Tea for Three throughout the day.

Historical Information

United States President Madison declared war on Britain in 1812, expecting an easy victory over the British colony of Upper Canada. Over three years of conflict later, the war ended with neither side being declared the winner.

The war brought difficult times for local people. The vast majority of the area’s population were recent immigrants from the United States, who had to decide if they were going to fight for the British, “turncoat” and fight for the Americans, or do what most did and simply try to stay out of the conflict by whatever means possible.

By December of 1815, the Treaty of Ghent ended hostilities. Local residents and Indigenous allies faced considerable losses of lives, homes, barns, crops, livestock and mills.