Battle of Ridgeway Heritage Park

Walk the grounds of Ridgeway Battlefield Heritage Park, a National Historic Site that shares the story of the Fenian Raid and its lasting impact on the community and the future of Canada. Outdoor interpretive panels guide visitors through the events leading up to the invasion, the local, provincial, and international response, and the legacy of the battle fought here.

On June 2, 1866, Canadian militia volunteers met Irish nationalists based in the United States, known as Fenians, on this site. Many of the Fenians were veterans of the U.S. Civil War, and their goal was to pressure Britain by holding British North America hostage in support of Irish independence. After crossing the Niagara River on June 1, the invading force fought two battles the next day: first at Ridgeway and then at the Fort Erie Dock. With U.S. forces preventing reinforcements from crossing the river, the Fenians retreated to Buffalo. The events of the Fenian Raid added momentum to Canadian Confederation and underscored the need for a stronger national defence.

Designated a National Historic Site in 1921, Ridgeway Battlefield Heritage Park also features a federal commemorative cairn. Visitors interested in learning more about the Battle of Ridgeway and the Fenian Raid are encouraged to visit the Fort Erie Historical Museum, where related artifacts include a series of period watercolour paintings by Alexander von Erichsen depicting the raid from its planning stages to the return of the wounded.

Address: 3408 Garrison Road, Ridgeway, Ontario

Hours: The outdoor exhibits are open year-round.