A Grand Reopening For Home Of A Canadian Icon

By Doug Draper

With the beginning of the bicentennial commemorations of the War of 1812 between Canada and the United States now only six or seven months away, the Niagara Parks Commission helped set the stage this June 17 with a “grand reopening” of the Laura Secord Homestead in Queenston, Ontario.

Niagara Parks chair Fay Booker speeks at Laura Secord's front door for ceremony. Photo by Doug Draper

Fay Booker, the chair of this parks commission created by the province 116 years ago, has as party of its mandate to protect and preserve the great natural and heritage resources along the river, also has stewardship over the home of one of the most iconic women during that cross-border conflict, had the following to say at the reopening.

“This investment in our past,” she said of the close to $9 million the provincial and federal government have recently granted for the enhancement of the Laura Secord site and other War of 1812 projects, including the old fort at Fort Erie and the restoration of the McFarland House in Niagara-on-the-Lake, “has allowed us to properly showcase this venue and tell our unique stories so that future generations will know of the important contributions of individuals such as Laura Secord made to the development of this country.”

The reopening of the site for Laura Secord, a woman that made a famous 18-mile trek in 1813 from Queenston to the Decew area now at the bordering St. Catharines and Thorold, Ontario, to  warn British Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon that American troops were planning an attack (an attack that was averted thanks to her warning), features significant new exhibits on the site.

Queenston's historic Methodist church now relocated on property of Laura Secord homestead.

Not least of which, those exhibits include the relocation of a 149-year-old Methodist church from another site in Queenston to a picturesque location behind the Laura Secord home. The upgraded site also includes new, interactive exhibits to more fully engage adults and children alike in the history of those times, and a classy gift shop featuring fine history books, beautiful painted prints depicting the War of 1812 era by some of our finest local artists, and more.

Niagara Falls Liberal MPP Kim Craitor, who attended the reopening, said “with the bicentennial celebrations just around the corner, investing in this site, … our government is ensuring that the lessons and legacy of the War of 1812 will continue for generations to come. … The Village of Queenston and the Niagara area,” continued Craitor, “played an important role in shaping the history of our province and our country. Heroes like Laura Secord helped define a Canadian national identity. We need to honour the sacrifice of our early settlers and celebrate their achievements … particularly women’s involvement in defense of our new nation.”

A reenactor from War of 1812 era looks on during Laura Secord ceremony. Photo by Doug Draper

Niagara Falls Conservative cabinet minister Rob Nicholson, whose government also contributed to enhancing this historic site and who could not be at the June 17 reopening because of a death in the family shared the following message; “As you all know, Laura Secord is a Canadian icon who helped shape our nation’s history. Forever to be known as a heroin that played a pivotal role in the War of 1812, we should be proud that her memory lives on today. …”

“This is a special heritage site,” Nicholson added, “and I know visitors will continue to appreciate being transported back in time to recognize Laura Secord’s contributions to Canadian history.”

Some of the investment money the province and federal government have made is also going to the upgrading of ‘Old Fort Erie’, another key piece of War of 1812 history in Fort Erie, Ontario and the McFarland House in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara At Large will share more on those sites later.

In the meantime, visit http://www.niagaraparks,com/heritage-trail/laura-secord-homestead.html for more information of the Laura Secord site.

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