Conversations on the War of 1812

Conversations on the War of 1812

by History Symposium

Season 2

Don Hickey & Jim Yaworsky: Battle of the Thames (Oct. 5, 1813)

Don Hickey is once again joined by Jim Yaworsky. Jim is a long time Windsor resident who has studied local history and also reenacted it as a member of the 41st Regiment. In this follow-up episode we start with both armies on the morning of October 5th. We examine the battle from multiple perspectives and look at its aftermath and legacy. Referenced is a PowerPoint that looks at the experience of the 41st Regiment POWs from the battle and gives us a perspective on the functioning of prisoner cartels and exchanges. That video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/-kZo3i2HpeU?si=SW3gUqAYGqbht5L3 Episode recorded on September 30, 2026

Don Hickey & Jim Yaworsky: The British Retreat Up the Thames - September 1813

Don Hickey is joined by Jim Yaworsky. Jim is a long time Windsor resident who has studied local history and also reenacted it as a member of the 41st Regiment. In this episode we look at what happens with the British garrison after the American victory in the Battle of Lake Erie. We follow the British and their indigenous allies and also keep track of the progress of the American army in its pursuit! Referenced is a PowerPoint that is a much more detailed examination of the retreat as well as the Battle of the Thames (Moraviantown) that includes illustrations and maps. That video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/b-W_fBVEeqA?si=t4AJV9QpRAv2N7WJ Episode recorded on September 22, 2026

Thomas Malcomson - Battle of Lake Erie - September 10, 1813

Thomas Malcomson, one of our wonderful naval experts, returns to discuss the dramatic happenings around the Battle of Lake Erie. This is a large fleet action with tons of drama, emotion, turmoil and mayhem. Please listen to find out more! Recorded on September 10, 2026

Alex Dale - Amherstburg & Detroit River Late Summer 1813

Alex Dale, Visitor Experience Manager at Fort Malden National Historic Site in Amherstburg, Ontario joins us to discuss the happenings in the area of Fort Amherstburg/Township of Malden and the Detroit River during the late summer of 1813. Events here will create pressures that will set the stage for dramatic happenings just weeks later! https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/malden Episode recorded on September 4, 2026

Tom Fournier - Those Who Keep Alive the Memory of the War of 1812

Our "Conversations" host, Tom Fournier offers a little background on who he is and then goes on to discuss the community of people who work to ensure that the War of 1812 is remembered. This episode was recorded on July 30, 2026

John Thompson - Ohio Battles - Summer of 1813

Program Manager at Fort Meigs, John Thompson joins us to discuss the actions in Ohio during the summer of 1813. We have: 2nd Siege of Fort Meigs (Tecumseh's Sham Battle) British Assault on Fort Stephenson Meet Major George Croghan of the U.S. Army and hero of Fort Stephenson. Fort Meigs: https://fortmeigs.org/ This episode was recorded on July 16, 2026

Thomas Malcomson - Naval Activity on the Great Lakes - 1813

A wide ranging and fascinating discussion on the increasing professionalism of the navies on the Great Lakes through the sailing season of 1813. We will treat the Battle of Lake Erie as a future standalone episode. In this episode we will hear about: The arm races on Lake Ontario and Lake Erie Amphibious landings supporting land actions The sinking of the Hamilton and Scourge on Lake Ontario The preservation of their wrecks The Burlington Races And what Thomas calls the decisively indecisive sailing season of 1813 Thomas has previously supported us with a presentation at our 2025 conference in Mississauga, ON where he talked about the British capture, defense and ultimate loss of Mackinac. That video can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/live/7lAH7o4Y... Thomas Malcomson, PhD, was as a professor in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at George Brown College, Toronto, for 32 years. He taught courses in psychology, dying, death and bereavement, and in the history of labour, genocide, and eugenics. He has written and presented extensively on the British Navy at the end of the long 18th century, with a focus on the War of 1812, and the following decades on the Great Lakes. He is the past president of the Canadian Nautical Research Society, which publishes the journal The Northern Mariner/Le marin du nord. This episode was recorded on July 7, 2026

Frederick Carsted - Swiss Regiments in British Service

Frederick Carsted joins us to discuss the two Swiss Regiments that arrived in Canada in 1813 during the War of 1812. Hear about: The De Meuron Regiment The De Watteville Regiment The night assault on Fort Erie Lord Selkirk and the Red River Settlement Perth Military Settlement The Pemmican Wars Frederick based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba is a retired teacher and a long time reenactor with a variety of interests. Frederick has been instrumental in the activities of the reenacting group the Forces of Lord Selkirk and has long studied the Swiss Regiments which they interpret. This episode was recorded on June 19, 2026

Jim Hill - Niagara in the Summer of 1813

Wedged between a frantic spring of 1813 with a number of major actions and a dramatic autumn, not a lot of attention is spent on the summer of 1813. In the Niagara region of Upper Canada it was actually a busy time! Join us as we have Jim Hill discuss: Laura Secord Lt. James FitzGibbon Battle of Beaver Dams Cecil Bisshop Peter Porter Black Rock Reconnaissance in Force Jim Hill is a long-standing heritage professional with the Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), where he plays a key role in preserving and interpreting the cultural and historical legacy of the Niagara region. He has been with NPC since 1996, contributing decades of leadership in heritage planning and public programming. Professional Background: Hill has worked in heritage interpretation and historical programming for multiple Canadian organizations, including Parks Canada and the Friends of Fort George prior to joining the Niagara Parks Commission. He is responsible for developing and managing programs that tell the stories of the people, places, and events that have shaped the Niagara area’s past. This includes Indigenous history, early settlement, military heritage, and the broader cultural landscape. Role at Niagara Parks Commission: At NPC, Jim Hill holds the title Senior Manager, Heritage & Legacy (sometimes styled Superintendent of Heritage and Legacy), overseeing heritage projects, interpretive planning, and commemorative initiatives across NPC sites. Military and Personal Background: Beyond his heritage career, Hill is a retired Captain in the Reserve Army with the Royal Canadian Artillery, bringing both historical and practical military insight to his work. This episode was recorded on June 12, 2026

Craig Williams - Battle of Stoney Creek, June 1813

It is June of 1813. In Upper Canada, the town of York has been captured by the Americans. The Americans then attacked and captured Fort George in the community of Niagara. The British Army withdraws from the Niagara to Burlington Heights. The Americans send a large column to eliminate the British. The result is covered in this episode on the Battle of Stoney Creek. We are delighted to have our friend Craig Williams join us to discuss the battle. A veteran of the film industry, Craig has had a life long interest in the War of 1812 and has also pioneered reenacting events of the War of 1812 at a number of historic sites in Ontario. This episode was recorded on June 3, 2026

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