The Revolution

 The years after the end of the French and Indian War would set the stage for the American Revolution in North America. What would come of it would, in the long run, be two countries: the United States and Canada. This is the uniform of a Loyalist soldier from New York who sided with the British. Following the Revolution, many Loyalists would start a new life in Canada.

Some artifacts of the time are displayed in a case here.

This reproduction of an engraving is one of history's ironies. Early in the war the Continental Army had sent troops into Quebec in an attempt to capture Quebec City. The effort failed. One of the commanders was Benedict Arnold- yes, that one. Had he died of his wounds at the subsequent Battle of Saratoga, he'd be remembered today as one of the great heroes of American history, instead of as a traitor to the cause.

The weapons in this case date from both the Revolution and the War of 1812, in which the Americans took on the British and Canadian settlers in an attempt to drive the British out of North America once and for all.

This is a model of the H.M.S. St. Lawrence, a ship of the British navy at the time. Today it rests at the bottom of the harbour at Kingston, Ontario.

Items in this case include things like a musket, club, tomahawk, and replica wampum belt. The portrait is of John Norton, who led First Nations warriors in the defense of Queenston Heights during the War.