Fort Malden National Historic Site
1796 fort at 100 Laird Avenue with 1819 barracks, 1840-period earthworks, and period demonstrations. Brock and Tecumseh planned the Siege of Detroit from these grounds.
Heritage & Culture
in Amherstburg
strongBest season — May through October (most sites are seasonal)
Fort Malden National Historic Site at 100 Laird Avenue was the British military command post on the western frontier from 1796 to 1813 — Brock and Tecumseh planned the Siege of Detroit from these grounds. Two more national historic sites sit within the same town: the 1836 Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse on the south tip of Boblo, administered as part of Fort Malden, and the 1848 Nazrey AME Church inside the Amherstburg Freedom Museum complex on King Street, an Underground Railroad terminus.
GREAT DAY OUT
Air Quality
26AQI
Temperature
H:17° L:2°C
Humidity
63%
Visibility
25.1 km
Wind
13.4 km/h
UV Index
3.4
Layering recommended; watch for wind chill; hydrate regularly
01
What to know
Variants
heritage-historic-sitemuseumfestival-event
May through October is the practical visiting window — most sites are seasonal. Fort Malden at 100 Laird Ave. covers the 1796 fort, an 1819 barracks, and 1840-period earthworks with period demonstrations on the grounds; 2026 hours had not yet been posted at the time of research, so check the Parks Canada page before driving down. Free Parks Canada admission applies June 19 through September 7, 2026 under the Canada Strong Pass. The Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse is reached only by the Amherstburg Ferry Company from 340 Dalhousie Street. The Amherstburg Freedom Museum at 277 King Street is open Tuesday–Friday 12–5 and Saturday–Sunday 1–5, closed Mondays, and holds the Nazrey AME Church and Taylor Log Cabin.
02
Locations
Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse and Blockhouse NHS
1836 limestone tower (12 metres) and timber blockhouse on the south tip of Boblo Island, administered as part of Fort Malden NHS and reached by the Amherstburg Ferry.
Amherstburg Freedom Museum complex
277 King Street site holding the 1848 Nazrey AME Church (NHS), Taylor Log Cabin, and the museum building, interpreting Amherstburg as an Underground Railroad terminus.
Park House Museum
Riverfront heritage building moved across from Detroit; the oldest house in town.
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Local rules
- 1
Fort Malden NHS 2026 hours had not been posted at the time of research; free Parks Canada admission June 19–September 7, 2026 via the Canada Strong Pass
visitamherstburg.ca ↗ - 2
Amherstburg Freedom Museum hours: Tuesday–Friday 12–5, Saturday–Sunday 1–5, closed Mondays
amherstburgfreedom.org ↗ - 3
Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse access requires the Amherstburg Ferry Company from 340 Dalhousie Street
parks.canada.ca ↗