About us
Nancy Island in Wasaga Beach, commemorates a pivotal moment in Canadian history during the War of 1812. Named after the schooner HMS Nancy, the island marks the site where the vessel was scuttled by British forces on August 14, 1814, to prevent its capture by American ships. Originally built in Detroit for the North West Company, HMS Nancy was later pressed into British service as a supply ship. Under attack near the mouth of the Nottawasaga River, Lieutenant Miller Worsley ordered the vessel destroyed, and its charred hull now rests on the island, preserved as a historic site since 1928.
Today, Nancy Island Historic Site offers visitors a glimpse into early 19th-century naval warfare and frontier life. The site features a museum housing artifacts from the HMS Nancy, a reconstructed blockhouse, and a theatre that recounts the dramatic events of the battle. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of Wasaga Beach, the island serves not only as a tribute to Canadian resilience but also as an educational destination that brings the War of 1812 to life for new generations.
Land acknowledgement
Huronia Historical Parks acknowledges that we are located on lands which are the traditional and Treaty territory of the Anishinabek people, now known as the Chippewa Tri-Council comprised of Beausoleil First Nation, Rama First Nation, and Georgina Island First Nation.
Historic Background
Named after the schooner Nancy, the island marks the site where the vessel was scuttled by British forces on August 14, 1814, to prevent its capture by American ships. Originally built in Detroit for the North West Company, the Nancy was later pressed into British service as a supply ship. Under attack near the mouth of the Nottawasaga River, Lieutenant Miller Worsley ordered the vessel destroyed.
Careers
Learn about job opportunities at Nancy Island Historic Site, as well as available positions at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour.
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Find us
We are located on the Nottawasaga river, right next to Georgian Bay, in the historic heart of Wasaga Beach in Ontario.