Canada Day
July 1, 2007
Inside the Fort
Eventually we made our way past all the activities at the visitor centre to see the main attraction... (rubby stop laughing!). And amazingly enough the kids didn't set off any alarms. ;-) although we couldn't stay past lunch for the canada day cupcakes, we did get to sample a few tasty treats before leaving.
At the fort entrance
we especially liked the two guards that the fort had hired for the day ;-)
Guardhouse
On this location stood the guardhouse, built in 1840. It served as the fort's security post, and all comings and goings to and from the fort were monitored here. Upon completion of their guard watch, sentries came here to rest, keeping their equipment with them at all times. In the event of an emergency, they were therefore always ready for action.
And there it is... the massive blockhouse
(rubby still can't get over how impressive it is... *grin*)
Officer's Quarters
This small building was constructed in 1839 to accomodate two officers. Because of its size, however, it was used only by one man from 1843 onward.
This is the officer's bedroom. It is furnished in rather spartan fashion with campaign furnishings that would have been easy to dismantle and transport.
Kitchen
This room was used to prepare the officer's meals and for the performance of many household chores. A member of the garrison was assigned to be the officer's servant. His duties included cleaning of the officer's clothes, shaving the officer, doing housework and preparing light meals.
Dining room
The officier spent a good deal of time in this room, which also doubled as an office. He prepared his daily; weekly and monthly reports in this room.
Cookhouse
Next to the officer's quarters used to be the cookhouse, built in 1839. The soldiers' rations were prepared here. The food served to the garrison was a bland and monotonous boiled stew. Soldiers could improve the fare by purchasing additional food from local grocers. today the cookhouse is just represented by the outdoor fire pit.
murielle checks out what's on the menu for today.
the artillery soldier is tending the bacon and veggie stew.
Hygiene and privacy
The latrine lacked the sanitation features common to modern bathrooms. Toilet paper was not available and in its place people used scraps of cloth or did without. There was no running water for washing in a ny of the compartments.
Privacy was not a concern: the rooms for the enlisted men and the women were each meant to hold more than one occupant at a time. Only the officers, in keeping with their superior status, had complete privacy when using the latrine.
maybe she's just had too much of the canada day punch?!
not a rubby... a stubby!
anyone up for a game of bocce?
time to go visit the inside of the blockhouse
Armoury
In 1846, this room was used to store 1,700 small arms for use by the local militia in the event of an emergency. The equipment you now see was used to load cannon and to heat cannon balls redhot (hot shots!).
Guardroom/Artillery and ordnace stores
This room was originally used as a guardroom where off-duty sentries could rest between shifts. After a seperate guardhouse was completed, the room was divided into two smaller rooms for storage of artillery equipment.
hmmm, having these guards next to the room with the rum is probably not a good idea!
khalil models joe's creation.
Commissariat stores
This room was used for storage of emergency food rations and fresh vegetables purchased in Prescott. (we thought we'd find oma here but the rum barrels were already empty)
Barrack stores
Material necessary for the daily operation of the fort, uniforms and surplus equipment were stored here.
Powder magazine
This vaulted room was designed to provide maximum protection for as much as 200 barrels of black powder for use in artillery and small arms. The magazine's thcik walls and ceiling could withstand enemy cannon fire.
To reduce the risk of sparks causing explosions, all of the hardware was made of copper, all malleable metal, or bronze, which is a copper alloy. A specially designed lamp was the sole source of artifical light.
Barrack-room
In the British Army, the barrack-room was overcrowded. Men, women and children lived in close proximity, reducing comfort and privacy to a minimum.
when will that bacon and stew be ready?
helena defends the playhouse fort
the new fort is so much better than the old one, eh?
i guess they didn't go much for cross border shopping in those days?
Machicolated gallery
Defenders could fire down through trap doors in the floor to prevent their attackers from placing a bursting charge at the bottom of the wall.
I guess a few stores are still left standing...
is that the walmart that the neville's enjoy so much? ;-)
sam checks out the toys
hey! the snickerdoodles are ready! Let's go!
Snickerdooooooodles!
nobody tell opa that the food is ready or there won't be any left by the time we get there.
snickerdoodles? yes please!
are those enemy invaders?
who cares about fort louisburg when you have a fort like this to visit!?
bryan is still trying to find all the answers for the scavenger hunt. when you counted the number of cannons, I hope you didn't forget the one you're sitting on!
a little rest... marching can make you really tired.
when we first got to the fort we were given a warm welcome as we were mistaken for the band... I guess the real band eventually showed up!
rubby just likes this photo.
back to marching....
the bagpipe soldier accompanies the historically accurate "Libster mobile" to the fort...
we'll have to catch the rest of the activities another year.
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