Prime Minister stephen harper Participates in Groundbreaking of War of 1812 Bicentennial Project Upgrades to Niagara Falls History Museum will increase local tourism, promote economic development

May 21, 2010

Niagara Falls, Ontario – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the upcoming expansion of the Niagara Falls History Museum and the construction of a new Visitor Centre, a project supported by the Federal Government.  Rob Nicholson, Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls and Minister of Justice; Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and Science and Technology); Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure for the Government of Ontario; Kim Craitor, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara Falls and Ted Salci, Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls also participated in the event.

“This project is just one of the projects our Government has supported to preserve the Niagara Region’s rich cultural heritage and to encourage
historical tourism, especially for the upcoming bicentennial celebrations of the War of 1812,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “The initiative is also creating jobs and strengthening the local economy, while creating a lasting legacy for the residents of the Niagara region.”

The expansion will allow the Museum to accommodate the expected increase in visitors leading up to the 200th anniversary year of the War of 1812.  Located in the heart of Niagara on the site of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, the Museum and Visitor Centre will be a major attraction for tourists wanting to learn more about the local historic sites.  The Niagara Falls History Museum is expected to be renovated and fully operational by June 2012.

In the 2010 Speech from the Throne, the Government committed to engaging millions of citizens and strengthening knowledge and pride in Canada by commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812.


Backgrounder

The Niagara Falls History Museum renovation project will help commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lundy's Lane.  It will honour the significant impact these events had on the city of Niagara Falls and on the development of Canada as a nation.

The Museum sits on the site of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, one of the defining battles of the War of 1812.  In 1974, the building was designated as a Historic Building under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act.  The Museum is owned by the City of Niagara Falls and operated by the City of Niagara Falls Board of Museums.

Through the Building Canada Fund Communities Component, the Governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed up to $3,237,666 to support Phase One of the Museum’s War of 1812 Legacy Project: the renovation and expansion of the Museum.  This includes upgrading the existing building to current standards of accessibility and display and creating a Visitor Centre for the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lundy's Lane.  The Centre will include an exhibition to showcase the Museum’s collection of artefacts, as well as a theatre space for audio-visual displays.  The City of Niagara Falls will contribute the balance of the total eligible project cost.

The renovation of this site will increase the number of visitors that are able to benefit from educational programming and will put the museum on the map as a modern and accessible heritage site in Niagara Falls.

It is expected that the new venue will be fully operational by June 2012, in time to receive thousands of tourists exploring Niagara’s historic battle sites during the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

The Niagara Falls History Museum is one of many sites throughout Ontario that will benefit from upgrades as Canada prepares for this 200th Anniversary.