Greenway funds to enhance War of 1812 events

Local News

August 9, 2011

By Mark Scheer Niagara Gazette The Niagara Gazette Tue Aug 09, 2011, 10:43 PM EDT

NIAGARA FALLS — Officials in Lewiston will use $325,000 in New York Power Authority relicensing funds to re-enact a historic battle from the War of 1812 and build a bronze monument to members of the Tuscarora Indian Nation who fought bravely during the conflict.

The Host Communities Standing Committee, a local group that oversees the allocation of relicensing dollars for projects along the so-called Niagara River Greenway, unanimously approved allocations for both projects during a meeting on Tuesday.

Representatives from the village and town of Lewiston and the Lewiston Historical Association intend to use $25,000 to commemorate and re-enact the Battle of Queenston Heights, the first major battle of the war. They will use the remaining $300,000 to construct the “Tuscarora Heroes Monument,” a bronze statue to be located at the corner of Center Street and Portage Road that will honor Native Americans from the Tuscarora Nation who saved the lives of white settlers when they were attacked by British troops. Both projects are key aspects of Lewiston’s larger plans to commemorate next year’s bicentennial of the War of 1812. Organizers believe the celebration will draw thousands of visitors to the Lewiston area next year while promoting aspects of the Niagara River and the vision of the Greenway in the process.

“Western New York, Niagara County and, in particular, Lewiston, was on the front lines of this conflict,” said former Niagara County lawmaker Lee Simonson who is overseeing plans for the historical association’s bicentennial celebration. “Over half of the casualties that occurred in the entire war, across the country and in Canada, occurred within a 30-mile radius of Niagara Falls. This gives us a golden opportunity to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

The actual Battle of Queenston Heights took place Oct. 13, 1812. The re-enactment is scheduled for Oct. 12 to 14, 2012 and is expected to involve hundreds of volunteer organizers and re-enactors from both sides of the border. The re-enactment will coincide with other War of 1812 events being planned in Lewiston and in Ontario where Canadian officials have earmarked millions of dollars to support various bicentennial activities.

“This is going to put Western New York on the forefront nationally in terms of the attention that is going to be directed toward this celebration,” Simonson said.

Plans call for the monument to be dedicated on Dec. 19, 2013, 200 years to the day when historical accounts suggest a band of Tuscarora men saved villagers from invading British troops.

“The United States government has never thanked the Tuscaroras. The New York state government has never thanked the Tuscaroras. Lewiston has never officially done it. This is our time in history to make sure we right a wrong in terms of gratitude and appreciation,” Simonson said.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Falls ceremony honors fallen military, veterans
With the weather fully cooperating, the Niagara Falls Veterans Memorial Commission got a chance to showcase its new creation in Hyde Park Saturday.

May 27, 2012 1 Photo
Man presumed drowned in Niagara River
Emergency crews called off a search in the lower Niagara River for a person who was swept away by the water Saturday afternoon.

May 27, 2012 1 Photo
California tourists robbed at gunpoint in Falls
Falls police are investigating a report of armed robbery from a parking lot in the 100 block of Niagara Street Saturday.

May 27, 2012 1 Photo
Buy local resolution seems familiar to city officials
The city council will vote on a resolution that will encourage the city to do more business with local companies.

Council member Glenn Choolokian will introduce the resolution “relative to promoting city purchasing activities for local businesses in the city of Niagara Falls,” with the support of council Chairman Sam Fruscione and council member Robert Anderson at next week’s meeting.

May 27, 2012
Second suspect pleads in shooting death of NU student
All Cordero Gibson could do as he stood in a Niagara County courtoom on Friday morning was weep.

The 23-year-old Falls man was pleading guilty to his role a in robbery gone bad that had left a Niagara University student dead. Because he didn't fire the shot that killed Brandon Johnson, Gibson dodged the bullet of a murder conviction.

May 27, 2012 1 Photo
SLIDESHOW: Memorial Day events in the Falls Niagara Falls celebrates Memorial Day Weekend activities on Saturday with a parade on Pine Avenue, a memorial service and viewing of the new Veterans Memorial at Hyde Park, a concert series on Old Falls Street and free boat safety inspections by the Niagara County Sheriff Department Marine Division at the City of Niagara Falls Boat Docks on Buffalo Avenue.
May 26, 2012 1 Photo
Legislation protecting Falls air base units moves forward
The effort to protect jobs at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station got a boost from a committee in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Korean student robbed at gunpoint in Falls
Detectives are investigating the robbery of a 25-year-old woman Wednesday night in front of a motel in the 400 block of Main Street.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Davis will not seek Murphy removal
Lawyers for accused killer Matthew “Bones” Davis say their client will not ask to have Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III removed from his case.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
Labor group laments economic development efforts
Economic development in New York state has become a joke to some in the area. And many of them are demanding changes to a process which spends approximately $3 billion a year.

May 24, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Do you think cigarette sales to non-Native American customers should be taxed on reservations?