From the playing of reveille in the morning to the sounding of lights out in the evening, the fifers, pipers, buglers, and drummers of a company played the various camp and duty calls necessary to regulate a soldier’s day.
When the drummers and fifers of a battalion were gathered together under the direction of the Drum Major, they were referred to collectively as the Drums.
Fort Henry was restored from 1936 to 1938 as a joint Federal / Provincial make work project costing over $1 million. The Fort was opened as a museum and historic site “in the name of all British soldiers who served there” by Prime Minister Mackenzie King in August 1938. During World War II, Fort Henry became Camp 31, a Prisoner of War camp for enemy merchant seamen, soldiers, sailors and airmen.
Reopened in 1948, Fort Henry has seen millions of visitors pass through its gates to watch the internationally acclaimed Fort Henry Guard perform.
Years later, Fort Henry continues its role as a museum and historic site to residents of Kingston and visitors from all around the world.
Once inside the wooden gates, visitors enter the realm of 19th century military life, experience guided tours, scenic views, heart-pounding musical performances and precision military demonstrations by the Fort Henry Guard, a highly disciplined group of college and university student recruits trained as British soldiers from 1867 in Kingston.