A Foreword by Doug Draper
This past winter, during Black History Month in February, and during March, which has come to be recognized as Women’s History Month, residents across Niagara recognized one of its great heroines.
This stamp, part of a series for honouring famous Canadian women, was issued by Canada Post in 1992. It reads; ‘Laura Secord, Lengendary Patriot’ and depicts her on her June 1813 walk into history.
Her name was Harriet Tubman, a former slave who was born in the United States but made her home base in the Niagara, Ontario community of St. Catharines for some of the turbulent years leading up to the American Civil as she played a leading role as an abolitionist and in guiding slaves northward to freedom through the ‘underground railway’.
This June, it is time to celebrate another woman who played a dynamic role in this region’s history, and her name is Laura Secord.
Not that Laura, who was also born in the United States, in a beautiful community called Great Barrington in the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts before moving in the late 1700s to what was then Upper Canada and her eventual home in Queenston, has ever been that far away from the thoughts of anyone who was born and raised in Niagara. Her courageous walk, beginning in the late hours of June 22, 1813 and covering some 20 miles or 32 kilometres from Queenston to the Decew area of Thorold to warn British troops and their Mohawk allies of a coming attack from American forces.
The information Laura Secord provided helped lead to a victory for British forces at the Battle of Beaverdams (or Beaver Dams, as some choose to spell it) during a War of 1812 to 1814 that people and governments on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border are observing the bicentennial of now.
The Laura Secord Commemorative Re-Enactment Walk, to take place this Saturday, June 22, has been in the planning stages for a long time by the group Friends of Laura Secord, including one of Laura’s direct descendants Caroline McCormick, and you can find out more about opportunities to participate in that and other events celebrating Laura this month, in the post below, submitted by the Niagara Parks Commission.
You can also find out more about what the Friends of Laura Secord have called with “walk into history” by visiting that group’s website at http://www.friendsoflaurasecord.com/ .
200th Anniversary of Laura Secord’s Famous Walk Special events planned to commemorate the Canadian heroine
A monument of Laura Secord at Drummond Hill Cemetary in Niagara Falls, Ontario (also the site of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane during the War of 1812, where Laura was laid to rest following her death in 1868. Click on image to Photo by Doug Draper
A Submission from the Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Falls, Ontario – The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC), along with the Friends of Laura Secord, Canada Post and the Royal Canadian Mint, wish to invite all proud Canadians to gather to celebrate the achievements of Laura Secord, a remarkable woman who walked into Canadian history 200 years ago.
Friday, June 21, 10 a.m.
Commemorative Coin and Stamp Unveiling Ceremony
Laura Secord Homestead
29 Queenston St., Queenston, Ontario
Federal, provincial and local government representatives will be present for this public commemorative ceremony.
Canada Post will issue two stamps to commemorate the daring exploits of two legendary national heroes – Laura Secord who warned of an imminent enemy attack on Canada, and Charles de Salaberry who led a brilliant defense that repelled a larger force bent on capturing Montreal. The stamps are part of a three-year series commemorating the War of 1812 and, as of June 20, 2013 are available at all post offices across the country and at www.canadapost.ca.
The Royal Canadian Mint will also unveil a new 25-cent commemorative circulation coin in honour of Laura Secord, which will conclude a four coin series celebrating the Heroes of the War of 1812. 12.5 million of these special coins will circulate across Canada as of June 22, 2013.
Friday June 21, 5 – 7 p.m.
“A Toast to Laura Secord” Formal Reception
Queenston Heights Restaurant, Laura Secord Monument
14184 Niagara Parkway, Queenston, Ontario
The Friends of Laura Secord group has arranged a ceremony that will include a special message from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales. Lieutenant Governor Onley will also be in attendance. The reception will showcase Niagara wines, cheeses and a delicious assortment of wonderful treats. Reserved limited tickets are available for $50 per person. RSVP by June 14: (905) 468-3912 or amyklassen@niagarahistorical.museum.
Saturday, June 22
The Friends of Laura Secord’s Commemorative Re-enactment Walk
The Friends of Laura Secord group has also organized a commemorative re-enactment walk to trace the route Laura Secord took from her homestead in Queenston to Decew House in Thorold.
The Laura Secord homestead, a historic site open to the public and maintained by the Niagara Parks Commission, in Queenston, Ontario. Photo by Doug Draper
There are many ways to participate, from completing the full 32 kilometre trek to shorter route options. Participants with mobility challenges can also experience the entire route by riding the fully accessible shuttle. Pre-registration is required. Please visit www.friendsoflaurasecord.com for more information.
Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
War of 1812 Bicentennial Heritage Fair
Laura Secord Homestead
29 Queenston St., Queenston, Ontario
This special event will showcase activities integral to daily life during the War of 1812. Historic interpreters, entertainers and interactive activities will make visitors feel as though they have stepped back in time.
NOTE: NO ON-SITE PARKING
There will be no parking on site at the Laura Secord Homestead on Saturday,
June 22. Visitors who park at Queenston Heights will be shuttled to the event and will receive half price admission at the Laura Secord Homestead.
About the Laura Secord Homestead
The historical Laura Secord Homestead is a heritage and tourist destination owned by The Niagara Parks Commission. In 2011, the homestead was renovated and revived thanks to a joint investment from the governments of Canada and Ontario as part of its War of 1812 heritage building collection.
The Niagara Parks Commission is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.
For more details on these events and sites around celebrating the life of Laura Secord and for information on events and places to visit along the Niagara River corridor, please visit www.niagaraparksheritage.com .
Niagara At Large posted a piece on this site last year following a visit to Great Barrington, Massachusetts and an interview with a local historian there on the birth and early upbringing of Laura Secord in that community. For your interest, the following is a link to that story and accompanying photos, https://niagaraatlarge.com/2012/08/09/canadian-war-of-1812-heroine-is-honoured-in-her-massachusetts-birthplace/ .
(Niagara At Large invites you to join in the conversation by sharing your views on the content of this post below. For reasons of transparency and promoting civil dialogue, NAL only posts comments from individuals who share their first and last name with their views.)
Niagara At Large 
If it wasn’t for her two slaves / servants she would never had made the walk. Just like Sir Issac’s Child we are over looking yet two more heroes. Bob and Fanny. How do you think Laura found out about the American attack. It sure wasn’t her husband with 2 wounds and in bed. If it wasn’t for these two black slaves / servants she would never been able to leave her near dead hubby and 5 kids behind. Forget the stupid cow…lets start doing some serious research into our history. .
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About the cow, I believe some historians think the ruse was, she had to feed and milk the cow,which would take some time and could be more believable. there is no doubt that the ruse worked, as the natives set a trap to stall the American invaders, by all accounts she made a huge difference, in thinning out the American Army of it’s power.
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