Engagement at Bradley | 2nd York Militia

Engagement at Bradley 2023 - Event Info

Participant Information

The event is organized by the 2nd York (Thompson’s Company) and Heritage Mississauga and is hosted at the Bradley Museum, located at 1620 Orr Road in Mississauga, Ontario. It will be open to the public between 10 am and 5 pm on Saturday October 14 and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday October 15, 2023.

The event is open to the public, with no registration required. Admission is $5 for adults, children under 12 are free.

Event and Site Facts

Set up on for participants is available after 11 am on Friday, October 13. Limited parking is available on-site overnight, as well as at an additional parking lot a short walk away. The event opens to the public at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday, and all personal vehicles are to be off site in the nearby parking lot by 9:30 am on both days.

Bathroom facilities are indoors in the “barn”. Yes, there is one outhouse near the main fire pit, but this is a “prop building” only.

There are several historical connections with the museum and buildings with early 19th century military (War of 1812 and Nelson’s Navy), but no battles or scrimmages happened on the site (that we know of).

Both the Bradley House and The Anchorage were built circa 1830 and both were relocated to their current locations. The Bradley House remains on the historic Bradley property, but was originally located south of its current location and was relocated in 1965, and opened to the public in 1967. The Anchorage was originally on a nearby property to the west and moved here in 1978. The Log Cabin was originally built circa 1855 near Orangeville, and was relocated to Port Credit in 1967, and again moved in 2005 to the Bradley Museum site.

Lewis Bradley, the museum’s namesake and the name origin for the Bradley House, was the Adjutant for the 2nd York Militia. The family of Lewis’ wife, Elizabeth (nee Merigold), are also represented in the muster lists and pay rolls for the 2nd York, with Thomas Merigold Senior and Junior both having served.

The Anchorage house on site was the retirement house of Commander John Skynner of the Royal Navy who fought in every major battle alongside Admiral Nelson save Trafalgar. Skynner retired to Upper Canada and the house proclaiming, “"Here I will rest; this is my anchorage." The name stuck.

How to get to the site

Address: 1620 Orr Road, Mississauga

From The West:

FROM THE 401 - Exit the highway at Erin Mills Parkway to travel South (all the way along to Southdown). In 2.8km (about two miles - past Royal Windsor Dr.) turn left onto Orr Rd. Travel along Orr Rd. for about 1.3km (about a mile) and the museum is on your right.

FROM THE QEW - Exit the highway at Erin Mills Parkway/Southdown Road and go South (along Southdown). In 2.8km (about two miles - past Royal Windsor Dr.) turn left onto Orr Rd. Travel along Orr Rd. for about 1.3km (about a mile) and the museum is on your right.

FROM HAMILTON (avoiding highways) - Take York Blvd. to Plains Rd. and turn right. Follow Plains Rd. to Brant St. and turn right. Follow Brant St. to Lakeshore Rd. and turn left. Follow Lakeshore Rd. until it becomes Southdown Rd. and follow for about 1.5km. Turn Left at Orr Rd. for about 1.3km (about a mile) and the museum is on your right.

From The East:

FROM TORONTO (avoiding highways) - Take Lakeshore Blvd. all the way until it becomes Lakeshore Rd. East and eventually Lakeshore Rd. West. Turn Left on Meadow Wood Rd. and follow 1it to Orr Rd. Turn right and the site will be immediately on the left-hand side of the road.

From The North:

From the 410, 407, or the 404, take the 401 West...

From 8, take the 401 East...

Exit the highway at Erin Mills Parkway to travel South (all the way along to Southdown). In 2.8km (about two miles - past Royal Windsor Dr.) turn left onto Orr Rd. Travel along Orr Rd. for about 1.3km (about a mile) and the museum is on your right.

Public Transit:

From Clarkson Go Station, take the Mississauga Transit 29 bus South on Southdown Rd. which will turn East on Orr Rd. - Hop off at Inverhouse Dr. - Walk East along Orr Rd. (about eighteen minutes at a normal step) and the camp and museum will be on your right.

Uber or a taxi from Clarkson Go might be recommended for most…

Public Event Schedule - to be finalized

Saturday (10 am to 5 pm)

10:00 am – Open to the Public, Sutler’s Row Open (10-5)

12:00 noon – Battle Engagement (Battlefield)

1:00 pm – Regency Dancing (at Barn)

1:30 pm – Mini-Militia (meet at Log Cabin)

2:00 pm – Musket demonstration & public drill (Log Cabin Field)

2:30 pm – Artillery demonstration (Log Cabin Field)

3:00 pm – Duels & duelling (Laneway)

4:00 pm – Battle Engagement (Battlefield)

Sunday (10 am to 4 pm)

10:00 am – Open to the Public, Sutler’s Row Open (10-4)

11:30 am – Regency Dancing (at Barn)

12:00 noon – Battle Engagement (Battlefield)

1:00 pm –The Drums, Crown Forces 1812 (Log Cabin Field)

1:30 pm – Mini-Militia (meet at Log Cabin)

2:00 pm – Musket demonstration & public drill (Log Cabin Field)

2:30 pm – The Drums, Crown Forces 1812 (Log Cabin Field)

3:00 pm - Battle Engagement (Battlefield)

Ongoing Activities & Animation (Saturday and Sunday):

“Find the Spy” challenge in the encampment

Crafts (at Log Cabin)

Royal Navy (at the HMS Psyche, adjacent to the Log Cabin)

Schedule for reenactors

Friday, October 13 starting at 11 am, you may come to the site and begin set-up of your camp if you desire.

Saturday, October 14

From dawn until 9:30 am, you can drive in to the site and set-up camp. All cars must vacate the lane and driveway by 9:30 am and park in the nearby parking lot. The parking a short walk away (directions will be provided). Street parking is prioritized for public visitors.

1 meal ticket per day per participant will be provided. There will be a food vendor on site, and there are multiple restaurants a short drive away.

Officer’s Meeting at 10:30 am both days

Sutlers/Merchants/Demos start at 10 am (when site opens)

Parade Forms at 11:00 am

Musket Inspection and Flag Raising: 11:10am – 11:15 am

Battle Engagement (Battlefield) at 12:00 noon both days

Musket demonstration & public drill at 2:00 pm both days (Log Cabin Field)

Officer’s Meeting at 2:00 pm both days

Battle Engagement (Battlefield) at 4:00 pm On Saturday, October 14 and at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 15

Site closes to the public at 5:00 pm on Saturday and at 4 pm on Sunday

Vehicles – if needed – may come onto the property after 5:30 pm on Saturday and after 4:00 pm on Sunday

Vehicles must not block the driveway at any time

On site contacts

Senior Officer for the Event: Greg Carraro (2nd York)
Aide to Mr. Carraro for Communication: Cameron Scott (2nd York)
Heritage Mississauga organizer and site coordinator: Matthew Wilkinson & Jayme Gaspar (at main gate)
Camp Set-up and Assistance: Steve Lyn & Philip Tomchyshyn, 2nd York
Crown Forces RSM: Ewan Wardle
Senior American Forces Officer: Philip Edwards
Battlefield Narrator:

FAQ

Daytime participant and reenactor parking at nearby parking lot (directions provided at main gate). Street parking along Orr Road prioritized for public

Registrations must be received by Friday, September 22 in order to confirm participation, insurance details, and ensure space for tents, firewood and food requirements, etc.

We cannot dig fire pits, but are allowed braziers and there is a communal fire pit located near the Indigenous Allies & American Encampments

Potable water is available on site

One large bag of kindling and firewood will be provided to EACH registered fly/tent

1 meal ticket per registered participant will be provided each day

Coffee will be available each morning

The food vendor will be on site all day

This said, the site is located very near to literally dozens of pubs, restaurants, and fast-food options, as well as a grocery store

All garbage, empty propane cannisters, etc. is to be collected in provided bags and removed from site

No open/visible alcohol containers permitted

Smoking is not permitted on site