Recent Niagara Foundation News & Activities
The Foundation:
The Foundation has been in existence for nearly 40 years. During this period of
time, the Foundation has operated an annual House Tour, the proceeds of which,
and other funds made available to the Foundation from donations and its
activities, have been employed solely for the preservation of Niagara’s cultural
history.
Past Projects:
Some of the projects undertaken by the Foundation in Niagara-on-the-Lake include
the preservation of the Niagara Apothecary at 5 Queen Street, the William Gollop
House and Workshop at 118 Queen Street, the Fog Horn House at 99 River Beach
Road, and St. Mark’s Rectory at 17 Byron Street. The Foundation continues to
maintain the Fog Horn House and the St. Mark’s Rectory as residential
accommodation and leases these properties out to qualified third parties. In
addition, the Foundation has restored a handsome horse drawn carriage once used
by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, on a visit to
Niagara-on-the-Lake, a unique shooting trap, also horse drawn, and an elegant
horse drawn hearse, all of which are made available for special occasions.
Pictures of Past Projects:
Niagara Apothecary
William Gollop House
Fog Horn House
St. Mark's Rectory
Present Project:
In December 1999, the Foundation acquired the William Stewart House, one of the
few surviving intact examples of houses built by and for Niagara-on-the-Lake’s
early Black settlers. It is also a significant example of
the Town’s early vernacular
building style. Built circa 1835 for William Stewart, a Black
teamster, on property originally granted to Andrew Butler, one of
Lieutenant-Colonel John Butler's troops, the house is best described as neo-classical in
the simple vernacular style of the early nineteenth century and reflects the
simple dignified structures of the early Town. Stabilization of the building and
an adjoining out building is currently underway, pending determination of the
use of the building as a museum, interpretation centre or otherwise.
Contact us if you would like a Tour of the William Stewart House. Tours are
available on appointment. There is a nominal charge for Tours
Pictures of Present Project:
William Stewart House
Publications:
The Foundation has produced:
— a topographical Map of the Colonial Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in honor of
the Town’s Bicentennial 1781-1981, illustrating early houses and buildings having
architectural significance as well as other points of interest, copies of which
are still available
— a book entitled “Early Architecture of the Town and Township of Niagara”
containing drawings
of architectural details of local buildings, now much in demand by restoration
architects and others interested in authentic restoration projects.
Support of Local Projects
The Foundation has contributed handsomely to many worthwhile projects in
Niagara-on-the-Lake undertaken by others, including the Court House Restoration
Fund, and the publication of the classic guide to Niagara-on-the-Lake, entitled
“Old Niagara on the Lake” by Peter John Stokes with drawings by Robert
Montgomery, University of Toronto Press, Toronto and Buffalo, 1971.
Annual Recognition Dinner
The 2nd Annual Recognition Dinner was held at historic Navy Hall on November
29, 2007. Ninety invited guests honoured the contributions of Mr Donald
Combe, a long-time resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake who has enshrined his
extensive local knowledge in several books co-authoured with Mr Fred Habermehl.
Mr Combe's research and cataloging of the archives at St Mark's Church is much
appreciated, as is his thorough knowledge of the background of headstones in
local cemeteries.
