The first Fort Henry was built during the War of 1812 to protect the British dockyards in Navy Bay. The present limestone citadel constructed between 1832 and 1837 replaced the old fort as part of a larger plan for the defence of the recently completed Rideau Canal. Commissariat stores were built to join the advanced battery with the main Fort in 1841-1842. Fort Henry was garrisoned by British troops until 1871 when Canadian Gunnery Schools (forerunner of the Royal Canadian Artillery) took over. Abandoned by the military in 1891, the fort fell into disrepair. Restoration work began in 1836 and two years later Fort Henry opened as a historical museum. Source: Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Recreation