Fort York National Historic Site

Preserved as a 43-acre archeological park, Fort York is where British soldiers, First Nations warriors, and Upper Canadian militiamen stood together against the United States and their mission to capture Toronto in the War of 1812. The bloody Battle of York that ensued was a dark and dramatic moment in the history of the city.

Feel the past come to life. Relive moments of the battle through an immersive multimedia experience and live demonstrations. Be inspired by the stories of unsung heroes and those who defended our city, while fighting against their own oppressions. Experience how soldiers and their families lived by tasting meals from early 19th-century recipes, prepared right in front of you over an open-fire. In 2021, Fort York will engage in the inclusion of Indigenous narratives and stories through a partnership with First Story Toronto where Indigenous guides embark on a truth-telling journey through their own lens and the site will host the ninth annual Indigenous Arts Festival.

Fort York National Historic Site is a preserved 43-acre archaeological park that brings to life a pivotal chapter of Toronto’s history during the War of 1812. Located in a story-rich setting shaped by the Battle of York, the site highlights how British soldiers, First Nations warriors, and Upper Canadian militiamen stood together in their effort to defend the city against the United States and its mission to capture Toronto—an intense, dramatic moment that still resonates today. Visitors can relive key moments through an immersive multimedia experience and live demonstrations, designed to make the past tangible and engaging. Fort York also shares powerful stories of those often left unsung—people who defended the city while confronting their own oppressions—offering a deeper, more human connection to the historical record. For an experiential element, Fort York introduces early 19th-century life through open-fire, prepared-right-in-front-of-you meal tastings using period recipes. In 2021, the site expanded its storytelling through a partnership with First Story Toronto, including Indigenous guides and a truth-telling journey presented through their own lens, and it also hosts the ninth annual Indigenous Arts Festival. For residents and travelers in San Jose, California seeking a meaningful destination to explore history through multimedia, demonstrations, and inclusive storytelling, Fort York National Historic Site offers an immersive way to experience the Battle of York and the people behind it.