Most Western New Yorkers know a little about the history of Old Fort Niagara. What hasn’t always been clear is the role of African Americans at the fort.
Credit Brigid Jaipaul-Valenza/WBFO photo
WBFO’s Brigid Valenza took a tour with the fort’s executive director, Robert Emerson, who explained some of its special hidden history.
The fort has recently begun to recognize and conduct tours that spotlight the slaves who sought refuge there, the black units that were garrisoned there, and a mural painted by African-American artist Hubert Crawford.
The fort dates to 1726 and was an important British outpost before being used to house soldiers into barracks there as late as 1926.
