CiTi Students Help Rebuild Fort Ontario Fence

Construction Technology students from the Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation recently spent some time helping to rebuild some of the fencing at Fort Ontario in Oswego.

The fence needed to be constructed from materials that were available in the 1800s thus providing a distinctive learning experience for the students.

One difference was the use of long, square and flat nails as opposed to today’s traditional, round nails.

“Working at Fort Ontario provided the students with a chance to apply the carpentry skills that they have learned at CiTi throughout the year,” said CiTi Construction Technology Teacher Craig Mahon. “Fort Ontario was a unique experience, because the work being done had to be consistent with the time period the fence was originally built.”

This year, CiTi students have also assisted Fort Ontario in some automotive repair and electrical projects.

Further plans are being made to replace the cannon traverse on the west wall of the fort this fall.

Ronald Healt, Fort Ontario park manager, said the help has allowed staff more time to focus on other needed tasks.

“I appreciate the students’ hard work,” said Healt.

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