About WLS

Members hail from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northern Ontario and Manitoba. The group attends several events or festivals during the summer. We have attended events in our home waters (Duluth Tall Ship Festival) to such faraway places as Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Worming, serving & parcelling a stay.

We are a working reenactment group. Each member is expected to develop a period-appropriate demonstration to share with the public at events.  Through the use of storytelling, conversation and demonstration, the group brings to life the fascinating story of the Royal Navy in the War of 1812 and the North West Company’s Maritime operations on the Great Lakes.

Daily rations aboard ship

Western Lakes Station, strives to preserve and present in an honourable fashion, the lifestyles, military actions and personal interpretations of the Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Era and the North West Companyʼs Great Lakes Maritime operations. Western Lakes Station strives to engender in its membership and the public a deeper understanding of the Royal Navy and maritime operations during the first 15 years of the 19th century on the Great Lakes.

Tools of the trade

To whit we plan to: work as a team to learn; to teach each other and the public; to travel to historical sites; meet people; enjoy fellowship; gain strength; enjoy new experiences with family and friends; have a wholesome, enjoyable experience in an appropriate yet fun manner. We shall strive to teach the history of our shipʼs company, the North American Station and the Royal Navy along with the period of interpretation in general in a manner that will neither besmirch the memory of the original participants nor bring dishonour on the active members of the Senior Service.