Burlington Heights is in Hamilton - it's where British troops who fought the Americans during the war of 1812 were stationed.

eventsblue 100x100By Staff

July 19th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

While this is a Hamilton event – it is really interesting for Burlington residents; a Burlington Heights Tour of the battleground during the war of 1812.

Burlington was a big part of that even though the troops didn’t march through our streets.

The Dundurn National Historic Site is the focal point.

This federal government plaque, erected at Burlington Heights, overlooking Burlington Bay got it wrong and Rick Wilson wanted it changed and the public record corrected.

This federal government plaque, erected at Burlington Heights, overlooking Burlington Bay got it wrong and Rick Wilson managed to get it corrected. The War of 1812 battles that took place on Lake Ontario were incorrectly explained on the plaque.

The Hamilton Military Museum staff invite the public to join them for a dynamic guided 1812 tour of Dundurn National Historic Site for all ages on Jul. 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 610 York Blvd.

Pre-registration is required. Tickets are available online for $30 – price includes a family admission pass for a return visit.

dundurn-aerial-thumb

An aerial view of the Dundurn Castle grounds.

Burlington Heights, where Dundurn Castle now stands, was occupied by the British military from 1813 through 1815. Participants will uncover the history surrounding the property and discover evidence of military fortifications in Dundurn Park including the rarely-opened Cockpit. The tour concludes with a look inside Dundurn Castle focusing on the 1812 architectural features.

Quick Facts
• Burlington Heights was an important centre of defense, supply and refuge for thousands of men, women and children connected to the British army, local militia, refugees, and First Nations during the War of 1812.

• On June 5, 1813, American forces marched from Niagara and set up camp at the Gage family homestead (Battlefield House).

• In the early morning hours of June 6, 700 British troops marched from Burlington Heights and defeated 3,000 American soldiers under the cover of darkness.

• Sir Allan MacNab incorporated some of the components of the 1812 fortification when he built his Italianate-style villa in the 1830s.

• This tour contains outdoor components; participants are asked to come dressed for the weather and prepared for walking on uneven terrain.

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1 comment to Burlington Heights is in Hamilton – it’s where British troops who fought the Americans during the war of 1812 were stationed.

  • Alan Harrington

    ….This federal government plaque, erected at Burlington Heights, overlooking Burlington Bay got it wrong and Rick Wilson managed to get it corrected…

    It was a Provincial Ontario Government plaque… that got it wrong.

    A new corrected plaque was installed on Sept 28 2013 and visitors can see it at Spencer Smith Park by the waterside.

    Editor’s note: We stand corrected – Alan, as usual is correct. Where he slips however is using the word plaque to describe the signage at the western end of Spencer Smith Park. While the information is sound the materials used for the signage is pathetic. Won’t last a decade.