Fort Malden opens for the season with a new policy in place

Olivia Coppala dishes up tea cakes in Fort Malden’s cookhouse.

One of Amherstburg’s historic gems officially opened for the season this past weekend and those who visit Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada will notice something a little different.

According to interpretation officer Alex Dale there is a new protocol in place, one he says is designed to make the experience to the fort, just a little better.

“The gates are closed during the fort’s operating hours to enhance the visitors’ experience,” explains Dale. “It’s safer and allows us to use the riverbank more. It’s been a few years since we’ve had the gates closed.”

Those who regularly stroll through the grounds off of Dalhousie when the fort is open will not be able to do so and Dale says this will allow them to have more events and activities along the riverbank such as cannon firing.

Over the weekend, the pensioners cottage was open and Candence McLennan and William Brunet, wearing pensioners’ garb, were busy tending to a garden which, among other plants, had a healthy crop of hops – a key ingredient in beer making.

“We want to be as historically accurate as we can be,” said Dale.

Besides showing traditional garden growing, other activities included blacksmithing, cooking and the popular musket firing.

Busy in the garden were Cadence McLennan, Matthew Ferrier and William Brunet.

According to Abby Warnock, who fired off a musket, the gun she was using was called a Brown Bess and was used by the military for 130 years. It was not always reliable and would misfire three out of ten times.

Behind the barracks where Warnock and Alexia Pacheco were standing guard in soldiers’ uniforums, Olivia Coppala was manning the cookhouse.

“The soldiers had to cook for themselves. They would come in groups of eight and cook two meals a day,” said Coppala.

Coppala showed off a pair of huge iron kettles which would be used for making stew, enough to serve up to 40. Coppala was busy making what is referred to as tea cake, a simple snack consisting of water and flour.

Fort Malden was originally called Fort Amherstburg and was built in 1796. It is well known for the role it played in the War of 1812.

Inside the museum are historical artifacts that are significant when looking back on Amhersburg’s past. This includes a flag from the so-called Republic of Canada as part of the 1836 Rebellion.

“We have the only Republic of Canada flag known to be in existence. That is one of our selling points, the artifacts. They have a connection to Amherstburg.”

Fort Malden National Historic Site is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday until June 29. 

From July 1 to August 31, hours are daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

There is a lot going on this year including, for the first time, a Medieval Faire, June 14-15, and July 1 Canada Day when admission is free.

For more information, contact 519-736-5416.

Fort Malden opens for the season with a new policy in place

By Fred Groves