For well over two centuries, Old Fort Niagara and Fort George National Historic Site, have guarded the mouth of the Niagara River for their respective nations. Both are now popular historic sites, visited by tens of thousands of visitors each year.
On April 29, members of the Friends of Fort George and the Old Fort Niagara Association will enjoy free admission to each other’s sites as both forts commemorate the 206th anniversary of the Rush Bagot Treaty. This landmark agreement between the United States and Great Britain led to the limitation of naval armaments on the Great Lakes and the creation of the world’s longest undefended border.
The treaty’s origins can be traced to an exchange of letters between acting United States Secretary of State Richard Rush and the British Minister to Washington, Sir Charles Bagot, exchanged and signed on April 27, and 28, 1817. After Rush and Bagot agreed upon the terms, the agreement was unofficially recognized by both countries. It was ratified by the U.S. Senate on April 16, 1818. The eventual outcome of the treaty was the demilitarization of the U.S.-Canadian border.
Over the years, Old Fort Niagara and Fort George (operated by Parks Canada) have cooperated on numerous programs. This year’s observance of the anniversary of the Rush Bagot Treaty offers members of both organizations reciprocal free admission to both forts. Participants in the exchange are asked to bring a membership card and a form of ID to present at the admissions desk.
