As of June 19^th, 2012, Museum visitors will be able to walk on a replica deck of a War of 1812 ship – the HMS General Hunter – and take part in a simulated cannon-firing sequence; a sail-raising activity; and a ship steering experience. Military items and scores of other artifacts recovered during the archaeological excavation of the ship will also be on display.

“The HMS General Hunter/War of 1812 Feature Exhibit” commemorates the 200^th anniversary of the war between the U.S. and Britain/Canada and takes its inspiration from the “Hunter” shipwreck which still lies buried on the Southampton beach not far from the museum.

The General Hunter was a British Warship which fought in a numerous actions during the War of 1812 before being lost to the U.S. Navy in the famous Battle of Lake Erie. In August of 1816, sailing as the U.S. transport ship Hunter, it was caught in a gale and wrecked on the Southampton beach.

This exhibit has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Fund a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.

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