Great place to visit. The lady tour guide was very informative. Her enthusiasm showed that she loved her job. Good price and the little gift shop was pretty.
Anyone with any interest in the History of Canada will love visiting this site during the Battle of Stoney Creek. This event is held the first week end in June and brings out re enactors from far and wide. There are battle demonstrations, period venders, children's games and more during the week end. On the Saturday evening after the battle they also have a great fireworks display!
Surrounded by Battlefield park, the museum is filled with a lot of great history. The tour guide we had was wonderful, very knowledgable and really had a passion for what she was doing. She made it fun. This park is lovely, you can see Toronto on a clear day from the tower. This battle, was a turning point in the War of 1812. Very interesting to learn how Canada won the war by way of local youth named Billy Green combined with the aid and persistence of Lieutenant Colonel John Harvey who pleaded with his superior, Brigadier General John Vincent, to make a dangerous surprise night raid. The risk paid off and the rest is history. Interesting to read up on the Gages, Nash's and the Jacksons. After touring Battlefield House museum, be sure to check out the Grandview (The Nash-Jackson House) that was physically relocated there in 1999. It had previously been a local market on Nash Road. Many locals will recognize the prominent names, such as Gage, Quigley, Burkholder, Munn, Nash, MacDonald, Jackson, Potruff, Jones and Spera. Future plans for the Nash Jackson house is that it will house a tea room.
Historians and all those who have some interest in history and culture they would certainly like to visit Battlefield House Museum. Best time to visit is during the re-enactment of the war. Very well kept and tells a lot about making of what Canada is today. If British lost this war Ontario and Quebec both would have been part of US. Thanks to the clever decision by British we have saved upper Canada. Please do visit with your kids, lot of fun activities for them, local bus shuttle service is run for free by City of Hamilton, free parking space is provided not a costly affair.
The history of the war of 1812 is outlined here. This touches my heart as Canada is what it is because of a battle that occurred here in Stoney Creek. We have a place that explains and shows us part of the war. Please take the time to witness why we are Canadian and proud.
Battlefield ParkThe park is a historical site as well as community park. It is the location of the War of 1812 battle; The battle of Stoney Creek. The first week-end of every June local re-enactors commemorate the battle with a historical remake. The battle remake is a big bang affair with lots of muskets and cannons blasting away, less the ammo. On the same week-end they have a market that sells period handicrafts and there are plenty of photo ops for camera buffs. The Gage farmhouse is also located in the park and it is a historical house dating back to 1796. It has some artifacts from the war and other period pieces. A big castle like tower looms over the park. It is the centennial monument erected in 1913. The electricity was turned on in this monument by a Princess in England, which was a technological marvel at that time. Another 1813 monument is located just across the street and commemorates the veterans and casualties from both sides of the conflict. The park also has plenty of green space for walks and picnics. Parking and picnic tables are available. The park has access to the Bruce Trail for hiking, a very good trail along the Niagara escarpment. I found that the park was a good starting point for a afternoon’s hike to the Devil’s Punch Bowl.Stoney Creek is located about half way between Toronto and Buffalo NY. The park is a good break for the traveller and a decent destination for the history buff. For those interested in military history the Stoney Creek- Hamilton area has several military attractions. The HMCS Haida National Historical site, The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, The Dundurn Castle Military Museum, and the John W. Foote VC Armouries Museum all are worth visiting.
Each year the reinactment of the war of 1812 is held, set up the tents thedressed soldiers, ladies dressed of the day. The war of the British and American is done so we know what happened at the actual site, The museum shows the homestead of the family "Nash" who live there. One of the homes was used as a miltary hospital during the war. Firework display to end the day is awesome. Very Educational. A must go
This weekend being the Bi-Centennial of The Battle of Stoney Creek the planning stages for an extra special event have been long in place. The Museum House and Monument are the centre pieces of this park and a fabulous collection of military battle re-enactors pitched their camps and allowed the general public to experience a piece of one of the most significant battles in Canada's history.The unfortunate thing about these events is the weather but these people "soldier on" despite all the conditions. They survived the winds of Thursday, and the rains of Friday night which did rain on their parade. But they could NOT escape the long and tedious fusillade of a long and never-ending list of political grandstanders from all three levels of government who just wanted to hear themselves speak.The mid-afternoon re-enactment was constantly under threatening skies and the soldiers and Native players, all decked out the the teeth in magnificently accurate period costumes and uniforms, had to swelter in the humidity for over an extra hour while these cronies droned on.When they finally did get into action the military precision of their advances and retreats,and ferocious musket fire was a reminder of the fear and bravery of so many men fighting and dieing for what they thought was most dear to them.The yearly demonstration is an amazing tribute to the War of 1812 and this battle re-enactment is one of the largest in Canada. It should be seen by ALL Canadians to remind us of the contribution and sacrifice of our ancestors 200 years ago and of the beginnings of our friendship with our neighbours to the south.And, HOPEFULLY, it will be without all the waste of time at the beginning of the program!!!!
I always like going to this place when they run the demonstrations regarding the Battle Of Stoney Creek. However one needs to get here early as it is not only popular but the admission price is very reasonable. Do a good job in recreating the battle but can talk to the people that doing the acting at the various campsites they set up for the weekend event. A must see for those that are really into Canadian history!
Definitely a place to go for any information on the War of 1812. The tower is awesome also. Have been there a few times over the years.