Niagara Parks Heritage
Niagara Parkway Niagara, ON, Canada

Don't miss the final evening of our Coast to Coast Literary Series! Join us on Dec. 10th for an engaging and interactive, live-streamed digital event honouring Canadian female authors and their published works. Tickets still available here: https://bit.ly/2JpfkXo

Happy December 1st, First Snowfall! From Old Fort Erie - the mouth of Niagara River and Lake Erie.

Our Coast to Coast literary series has gone virtual! Join us on Dec. 10th as we celebrate Canada's Determined Women, featuring exceptional Canadian female authors, their unique perspectives and published works. Reserve your ticket: https://bit.ly/35BRFfa

Today, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. Remembrance Day is observed by illuminating Niagara Falls in red throughout the evening. Immediately following, in honour of Veterans Day the falls are lit in red, white and blue. #LestWeForget

Niagara Parks recently held a special ceremony of remembrance, recognition, and respect for Indigenous Veterans Day. Services were held at the Landscape of Nations Commemorative Memorial at Queenston Heights Park. #IndigenousVeteransDay

The original islands at the Dufferin Islands Nature Area were formed by glacial drift during the ice age. In the early 1900s they were enlarged by the Ontario Power Company with rock fill excavated from the river. Walking trails and areas for picnics are popular summer attractions with trails through 11 islands connected by foot bridges. From November to January each year the area is home to lighted motion displays in the Winter Festival of Lights. Dufferin Islands were named... after Lord Dufferin, one of Canada’s early Governor Generals. He was instrumental in the creation of the public parklands that are now maintained by Niagara Parks. This month Niagara Parks and Brock University are holding an online interactive Environmental Speaker Series event, absolutely free! Four speakers across the month of October will explore issues like climate change, sustainability and our impact on the natural environment. For more information and to sign up: https://www.niagaraparks.com//environmental-speaker-series

National Indigenous Veterans Ceremony

One year ago today, a century old piece of Niagara Falls history captured the imagination of the world, after the wreck of the Iron Scow moved during a windstorm on Halloween night! Learn more at niagaraparks.com/scow

Chloe Cooley #BecauseOfYou legislation was put forward to gradually abolish slavery in Upper Canada. Your defiance in 1793 changed the course of life for generations of people of African descent in the years that followed. #WomensHistoryMonth #NotlHistory #CdnHistory #MakingHerMark

Join us on Oct. 8 as we celebrate Canada's Determined Women with our virtual Coast to Coast literary series. Reserve your ticket here: https://bit.ly/2Sh38sW

Many famous people have come to visit Niagara Falls and spend their honeymoon. One of the first couples to do so were Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon's younger brother, and his American wife Elizabeth. In 1804, the couple married in Baltimore before visiting New Orleans by stagecoach. On their return, they decided to visit Niagara Falls. The couple caused a stir in the American media who followed their adventures and wrote stories about them. With the increased interest in the press, more people decided to copy the famous couple and come to spend their honeymoon in Niagara. Unfortunately, Napoleon did not approve of his brother's marriage and Jérôme was forced to leave his pregnant wife at the French border. News of the couple's turmoil only increased public interest in them and their journey across the U.S. and Niagara Falls.

Navy Island was used by Indigenous people as a hunting ground and burial site. It became known as Navy Island in the 1760s when the British built ships there that were the first under the British flag to navigate the Upper Great Lakes. William Lyon Mackenzie chose Navy Island as the site for his Republic of Canada that was briefly established after the short Rebellion of 1837. At the turn of the century, the Queen's Hotel was a popular summer vacation spot on the eastern s...ide of the island before burning down in 1910. Navy Island was also considered for use as the headquarters building for the United Nations in 1945. Today, Navy Island is a 316-acre nature preserve. The second picture is a concept image of how Navy Island would have looked if it were the headquarters of the United Nations.

This trunk once belonged to Francis Gethings Keogh. Keogh was born in 1793 in Co Carlow, Ireland and was commissioned in 1809. Keogh served in the 14th Light Dragoons, and other dragoon regiments during his service, and fought during the Napoleonic Wars in Spain and France. Keogh earned the following silver medallions for the following battles: - Vittoria 21st June, 1813 -Spain ... - Pyrenees 28th July to 2nd August, 1813 -Spain - Nivelle 10th November, 1813 - France - Nive 9th to 13th December, 1813 -France - Orthes 27th February, 1814 - France - Toulouse 10th April, 1814 -France Upon retirement with the rank of captain, Keogh moved to Fort Erie with his wife and family and became involved in St Paul's Anglican Church - Fort Erie. We believe Keogh later moved to Buffalo, where he died in 1854. #artifact #napoleonicwars

On September 17th, 1814, The Sortie occurred during the Siege of Fort Erie. At about 2:30 p.m. 1,600 American regulars and militiamen attacked the British siege batteries. The Americans managed to capture two gun battery positions before British reinforcements arrived. Members of the 6th regiment helped to push back the Americans. The 6th (or 1st Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot was first raised in 1673. This regiment served throughout the Napoleonic War and are particularly r...emembered for their engagements in Spain and Southern France. They were known as The Saucy Sixth, a nickname they earned for their bravery in the battle at Echelar in the Pyrenees, where they were part of a risky but successful bayonet assault against the French. The 6th Regiment of Foot arrived in Upper Canada in July of 1814 and were sent to Niagara as British reinforcements in the Siege of Fort Erie. Arriving late to the two-month long siege, the 6th were primarily involved in pushing back the American Sortie. The 6th Regiment earned the battle honour Niagara for their involvement in the Sortie. The 6th Regiment served for 283 continuous years from 1673 to 1968 when it was amalgamated into other regiments. #Warof1812 #britisharmy

The 4th U.S. Rifle Regiment was raised in 1814 and did most of their recruiting in New York and Pennsylvania. During the Battle of Conjocta Creek, the 4th held their ground and prevented the British from destroying their supplies, allowing the Americans to maintain their position at Fort Erie. Lieutenant Kearsley noted of the rifles at Conjocta Creek that the skill in planning and the firmness in the execution of the rifleman defeated the designs of the British and saved the entire American army. The regiment was skilled at woodland and skirmish warfare and participated in the near daily skirmishes during the siege. #Warof1812 #USArmy

Along the Niagara River Parkway, there are many opportunities to discover historic and magnificent structures. Here are our top five Architectural Masterpieces: https://bit.ly/3bVsF3Q Which one is your favourite?

During the War of 1812, one way to treat a variety of sicknesses was through bloodletting. Check out the video to learn about some of the tools used in the procedure. #Warof1812 #Bloodletting

Starting September 10th, join us for Coast to Coast "Canada's Determined Women", a four-part, virtual speaker series highlighting Canadian female authors, their unique perspectives and published works. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3m1MJ9p

This cast iron 12-pounder Carronade is from the Carron Foundry and was used during the War of 1812 period. Carronades, as cannons, were rated based on the weight of their shot but were lightweight, short-range weapons which were used on vessels in naval engagements but could also be effectively used on land. During the Siege the British used at least on carronade during their bombardment of the US held fort. #Warof1812 #Artillery

Our heritage sites are now closed for the season. Thank you to everyone who came to see us! See you next year!

Being a drummer during the War of 1812 was not an easy task. Find out more about drummers and the role they played during the War of 1812 #Warof1812 #Music #BritishArmy