Fort Henry

Fort Henry is a limestone fortification on a cliff overlooking Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, built with thick defensive walls and stone ramparts. The site includes barracks, underground tunnels, and gun platforms that demonstrate its role as a major military stronghold.

British forces built the fortress between 1832 and 1836 to protect Kingston's Royal Naval Dockyard and monitor strategic waterways. During World War I, it served as a detention center for enemy civilians held within its stone walls.

The Fort Henry Guard performs daily military demonstrations in period uniforms, showing how British soldiers lived and worked in the 1800s. Visitors can watch soldiers drill, cook, and go about their garrison duties much as they did centuries ago.

The fortress is open daily from May through September with shorter hours in spring and fall, and offers guided tours in several languages. Wear comfortable shoes since exploring the barracks and tunnels involves stairs and uneven ground.

The fortress contains a working historical bakery where bakers produce bread daily using recipes from nearly 200 years ago. Visitors can watch the baking process and smell fresh bread coming from wood-fired ovens.

Location: Kingston

Inception: 1812

Part of: Rideau Canal World Heritage Site, Kingston Fortifications

Address: 1 Fort Henry Dr, Kingston, ON K7K 5G8, Canada

Phone: +18004372233

Website: http://forthenry.com

GPS coordinates: 44.23026,-76.45968

Latest update: December 24, 2025 14:21