Celebrate Women’s Weekend at Fort Ontario May 18 and 19

May 11, 2024 Contributor
WOMEN’S HISTORY WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS GENDER, FASHION AND LABOR – Fort Ontario State Historic Site’s “Women’s Weekend at Fort Ontario: A Symposium on Gender, Fashion, and Labor since 1755” highlights how women of all classes lived, worked and dressed in the 18th to 20th centuries. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19. Pictured is Danielle Funiciello discussing the evolution of women’s support garments at the 2023 Women’s Weekend event.

OSWEGO – Fort Ontario State Historic Site hosts “Women’s Weekend at Fort Ontario: A Symposium on Gender, Fashion, and Labor since 1755” on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days at the old stone fort located at 1 E. Fourth St., Oswego.

The two-day event is open to all attendees with the fort’s regular admission. It features historical interpreters and speakers from across the state on different topics of women’s history, so visitors can learn how women of all classes lived and worked in the 18th to 20th centuries.

Speakers for the weekend include Hanae Webber of Fort Niagara with a presentation about the Cameron Court Martial of 1760; Mary Kay Stone speaking on Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, who will soon have a U.S. quarter minted with her likeness; and Jess Miller and Myranda Abel talking about women who took up arms in the American Civil War.

FORT ONTARIO HOSTS WOMEN’S HISTORY WEEKEND MAY 18-19 – Fort Ontario State Historic Site welcomes the public to attend the annual “Women’s Weekend at Fort Ontario: A Symposium on Gender, Fashion, and Labor since 1755” from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19. The event features various speakers, demonstrations and historical interpretations. Pictured is Melinda Reeder demonstrating 18th century brewing at last year’s event.

Demonstrations and interpretations include World War I Farmerettes or Women’s Land Army, 18th century beer-brewing (which was a traditionally female job), World War II women decoders recruitment, 19th century laundry and more.

There will also be a “Fashion Timeline” experience where visitors can see how clothing has changed throughout the more than 250 years of fort history.

Regular fort admission for this event is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, and free for children aged 12 and younger. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information on this event call 315-343-4711, connect on Facebook or email [email protected].

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by 78 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518-474-0456. Visitors can also connect on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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