Fort Lennox

Fort Lennox is a National Historic Sites of Canada occupying most of Île aux Noix, an island in the middle of the Richelieu River in the parish of Saint-Paul-de-l'Île-aux-Noix, Quebec, near the Canada-U.S. border. The fort features restored defence works and stonework buildings, and is surrounded by a star-shaped moat. It is owned by the Government of Canada and managed by Parks Canada

Fort Lennox
Île aux Noix, Quebec, Canada
Painting of Fort Lennox, 1886, by Henry Richard S. Bunnett
Site history
Built1819–1829
Official nameFort Lennox National Historic Site
Designated1920

The site of Fort Lennox was a strategic location in defending Canada against invasion from the south during colonial times. It was first fortified by the French in 1759 to defend against British invasion during the French and Indian War and the current buildings were built by the British between 1819 and 1829 to deter a U.S. invasion after the War of 1812. In 1920, it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. and is administered by Parks Canada.[1][2]

As of December 2022, the Fort was undergoing renovation work and closed to the public and slated to be reopened to the public in spring 2023.

History
Enlisted men's quarters
Plaque at the entrance of Fort Lennox

Built by the British between 1819 and 1829,[3] the fort was designed to protect the colony from possible American invasion. The fort was named after Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond, who died in 1819 and was Governor General of British North America. An earlier 1760s fort on the same site was originally built by the French during the Seven Years' War.

On 28 June 1985 Canada Post issued 'Fort Lennox, Que.' one of the 20 stamps in the "Forts Across Canada Series" (1983 & 1985). The stamps are perforated 12+1⁄2 x 13 mm and were printed by Ashton-Potter Limited based on the designs by Rolf P. Harder. [4]

Museum

Visitors can tour the 1820s period officers' quarters. The north magazine features an exhibit about military engineering and restoration work carried out at the fort.

Guided tours are given of the grounds and buildings, which include an ordnance magazine and artillery magazine, a guardhouse, officers' quarters, barracks and casemates. During summer weekends, living history demonstrations focus on fort life in the mid 19th century.

Entry

Admission to the site includes the ferry ride to the island. The parking lot and visitor reception area are located on the west shore of the river. Boaters can visit the island directly and pay a separate fee to enter the fort.

References
  1. Fort Lennox. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  2. "Fort Lennox National Historic Site". Parks Canada. Parks Canada. 2022-12-14. Archived from the original on 2022-12-19. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  3. "Index - Fort Lennox National Historic Site". 28 March 2017.
  4. Canada Post issued 'Fort Lennox, Que.'
  • Parks Canada, Fort Lennox National Historic Site brochure, 2005.
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