UNESCO salutes Fort Henry

Along with the Rideau Canal and the rest of the Kingston Fortifications, Fort Henry will be designated today as Ontario's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.The lofty title puts it on the same plane as 841 other world sites, such as India's Taj Mahal, England's Stonehenge and Egypt's pyramids. It cements the area as a source of international recognition and dictates that Canada preserve it, by financing it, forever.

The area, which this year also celebrates its 175th anniversary, was a shoo-in for the honour, Ridley says, because it has what UNESCO calls "outstanding universal value" and a necessary two of the World Heritage Committee's 10 criteria for the designation. The canal is "an engineering masterpiece" and the area has historical importance.The canal, which exists today in the same form as when it was completed in May 1832, was created as an alternate route to get supplies from England to Kingston, without using the St. Lawrence River, which bordered Britain's enemy: the United States.

The fortifications – Fort Henry, Fort Frederick, and towers Cathcart, Shoal and Murney – were built to protect the mouth of the canal against U.S. invaders.

A mock battle will be accompanied by the unfurling of a UNESCO banner, military and police bands, Juno nominee Georgette Fry singing Amazing Grace – and a walk-on by the fort mascot, a goat named David.The finale will feature drill soldiers firing cannons followed by an explosion of fireworks – and Fort Henry curator Ron Ridley promises a spectacle.