Fort Henry — Uncover the Hidden Secrets

Your investigation begins in Kingston, a city with a rich military heritage in Ontario. Confederation Park, your starting point, offers stunning views of the inner harbor and the city's fortifications. It is here, facing Lake Ontario, that rumors of conspiracy intensified. The route will first lead you to key sites such as the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first prime minister, whose role was essential in consolidating the country and managing British affairs in the 19th century. His policies, though later than the War of 1812, were strongly influenced by the tensions of that period.

Continue towards Kingston City Hall, a neoclassical building constructed between 1843 and 1844. This national historic site, designated in 1968, was the seat of Kingston's municipal government and, from 1841 to 1844, even served as the parliament of unified Canada. It was a place where political and military decisions were made, and where secrets could easily be exchanged. Augmented reality clues will guide you through its majestic columns to reveal the hidden messages of spies of the era, linked to fears of a new war with the United States.

Your itinerary then takes you to Murney Tower, a Martello tower built in 1846. Standing 20 meters tall and armed with cannons, it was part of Kingston's British defensive network, including Fort Henry. Converted into a military museum since 1936, it is a national historic site that directly testifies to the city's defense strategies. 19th-century British fortifications, like this tower, were crucial for protecting the harbor and navigable waterways of Ontario.

As you walk along the Kingston Inner Harbour, your route offers a perspective on Kingston Penitentiary, opened in 1835. Although not a military fortification, this prison, the oldest in North America before its closure in 2013, housed inmates whose real-life escapes may have inspired conspiracy plots. An optional detour to this site, which once held over 1000 inmates, allows you to imagine the dark stories hidden behind its walls, potentially linked to the secrets of the War of 1812. Kingston's history is woven with these iconic places.

The climax of your mission leads you to Fort Henry National Historic Site, built between 1832 and 1836. This British defense fort, designated a national historic site in 1951, is the heart of the region's military secrets. It also houses Martello towers built in 1846-1847. Your exploration concludes at St. George's Cathedral, a neoclassical Anglican cathedral erected between 1826 and 1831, with its 43-meter dome. This parish church is another testament to 19th-century British military heritage, where many officers may have prayed or met. It is there that the final clues are revealed, allowing you to foil the conspiracy and safeguard Kingston's history.