Tuscarora monument to commemorate War of 1812

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Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steven Reiter talks to more than 40 residents in attendance at Thursday’s unveiling of a Tuscarora Heroes monument to be located in the town. Nick Mattera

April 23, 2010

By Nick Mattera Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Fri Apr 23, 2010, 12:33 AM EDT

NIAGARA FALLS — A monument honoring the Tuscarora Indians highlighted plans unveiled by the Historical Association of Lewiston Thursday to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

The 8-foot tall bronze Tuscarora Heroes Monument will tell a story that project manager and historical society volunteer Lee Simonson said has never been told.

On Dec. 9, 1812, the Village of Lewiston was invaded by British troops who murdered innocent civilians and were defended solely by a band of Tuscarora men.

“Believe it or not Lewiston has never officially thanked the Tuscarora’s, or for that matter, neither has the United States,” Simonson said. “This is about to change.”

The monument, sculpted by nationally acclaimed artist Susan Geissler — who also created the Freedom Crossing Monument — depicts two Tuscarora men rescuing a woman and her baby. The monument will be unveiled on the 200th anniversary of the attack on Lewiston. A site for the project has yet to be decided on.

Funding for the project is expected to come from a combination of public and private contributions, with both Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steven Reiter and Village of Lewiston Mayor William Geiben expressing their support for the project.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Lewiston,” Reiter said. “With the help and support of the town board, we can participate in this

Town of Porter Historian Suzanne Dietz said more than 32 million tourists in the U.S. and Canada have shown interest in traveling to historical sights celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812, which could have an economic impact in billions of dollars.

A study by the Province of Ontario’s May 2009 Travel Intention Survey shows more than 2 million tourists in New York state alone, have shown interest in traveling to historical sights.

In July more than 15,000 people attended Fort Niagara’s French and Indian War reenactment, providing an indication of the potential draw the celebration may have.

The historical society plans to stage a reenactment of the Battle of Queenston Heights, it also would like to reenact a story involving the throwing of mudballs, which would incorporate the village’s new tall ship — the Black Pearl.

“We believe our local efforts to celebrate the War of 1812 will bring our communities a big payoff, but we must start organizing now,” Simonson said.

Representatives from the Tuscarora Council were in attendance, Neil Patterson, who was a great-great grandson of one of the Tuscarora Heroes. He and his wife Francine helped unveil the plans by blessing the project in a native Tuscaroran dialect.

Simonson is asking the Lewiston community to take part in a 1812 Star Spangled Banner Flag program. The effort will encourage Lewiston businesses and residents to fly the 15-star and 15-stripe, which flew during the war and inspired the National Anthem.

On Saturday, Simonson is heading to Hamilton, Ont., where he will represent Lewiston in the War of 1812 planning symposium. He said the Canadians are way ahead in their planning and fundraising efforts.

“This is our time, our chance, for Lewiston to step up to the plate and let the world know that we are an important part of American History,” Simonson said. “This is our opportunity to be part of the celebration that many historians believed saved our democracy.”

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