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HISTORY IS OUR GREATEST TREASURE

Since the end of the last ice age, the recession of Niagara Falls and the formation of the gorge have followed the development of human society and technology. Many great civilizations have risen and fallen as nature eroded solid rock into sand and silt.

The first people to live in the Niagara region had no written language, so they had to trust their history to the memories of storytellers. Fact often became legend.

Then came the European powers, France and Britain, with their distrust of each other and desire to possess the land and control the Native Americans. For nearly a century, they bickered back and forth before having an all-out war in the middle of the 18th century.

The victorious British soon reminded the Native Americans who was in control. Then European Americans took over. Peace in the Niagara region has prevailed most of the time since then.

The outstanding story of the Niagara region and its celebrated cataracts never has been properly presented in a world-class facility. Also, the preservation of significant historical sites and structures has been sparse along the U.S. side of the Niagara River.

According to recent studies by reputable organizations, people are seeking interactions with and knowledge of historical places more than ever before. Also growing rapidly in popularity is ecotourism.

Both the natural and human histories of the Niagara region could become more attractive to visitors if certain specific actions were undertaken. First, a great museum must be built. Then, very important historical sites and buildings must be restored.

The museum should be located as close to Niagara Reservation State Park as possible, so that people could visit it shortly before or after seeing the falls. Its appearance must complement the natural character of the falls, reservation and gorge.

To do that, it could be constructed using native dolostone, sandstone and limestone. Surrounding it should be spacious grounds landscaped with many of the hundreds of species of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers.

Parking lots should be adequate but not conspicuous. Parking for buses and other large vehicles should be separate from parking for automobiles.

Funding for the museum could be done with public and/or private money. There are a number of foundations looking for worthwhile investments. The potential for a great number of patrons paying reasonable entrance fees very likely would pay for the museum in a few years.

The museum should have:

• A large portico or covered place to gather outside by the main entrance
• A great hall with a large stone fountain shooting water up into a beautiful glass dome
• From the hall, patrons would enter four exhibition areas--one to showcase natural history, another to showcase Native American history, a third to showcase colonial history and the last to showcase American history
• A large theater and lecture hall in which are shown depictions of events in three dimensions or virtual reality
• A gift shop
• Offices for the staff
• A full basement for the restoration and storage of artifacts

Along with Old Fort Niagara, there are a number of other area places important to local, state, national and international histories. Unfortunately, the fort is the only one left. The following places should be restored:

• Augustus Porter's house. This was the first house built in the Village of Niagara Falls. It was visited by many famous people, such as President James Monroe, Henry Clay, General Lafayette, Sarah Bernhardt, Red Jacket and John Jacob Astor. It should be rebuilt in its original location, close to the American Rapids Bridge. There, it can be a museum of the Porter family and other famous people from Niagara's past.
• Fort Schlosser and John Stedman's house. Located by the upper landing of the Niagara portage, these sites were extremely important in the colonial and early American histories of the Niagara region and North America. Rebuilt as close as possible to their original locations, the fort could showcase the general history of the landing, and Stedman's house could be a museum celebrating the grand history of the Old Stone Chimney.
• Docked by Fort Schlosser should be a replica of a ship from Niagara's past. The best one for that site would be Caroline, the American ship involved in the Canadian rebellion of 1837. It could be used to take visitors for a cruise of the upper river, where tales and legends of the past can be related in a tasteful manner.
• Robert LaSalle's encampment by Cayuga Island. The LaSalle section of the City of Niagara Falls is the location of the beginning of shipping on the upper Great Lakes. It was there that the Griffon, the first ship to sail on those lakes, was built. The 17th century encampment and a replica of the Griffon close to a small museum would showcase the site, and also provide a history of shipping on the upper Great Lakes.
• Joncaire's trading post at Artpark. This was the first trading post erected along the Niagara River by the Europeans. The man who built it, Louis Thomas de Joncaire sieur de Chabert, and his two sons, Daniel and Philippe, handled affairs with the local Native Americans for the French government for about 50 years. Rebuilt close to its original location, the post could be a museum of the history of the lower landing of the Niagara portage, a history spanning many centuries and filled with wonderful legends and exciting events.
• Docked at the lower landing at Lewiston, put a replica of an 18th century ship from Niagara's past. Tours of the ship can be enhanced by guides relating notable incidents.
• A Native American village. Somewhere in the local countryside, possibly Joe Davis State Park, a replica of a Neutral or Seneca village should be built. Nearby should be a museum where the history of those nations can be showcased.

Made of local stone, and surrounded by native flora, there should be museums in Devil's Hole and Whirlpool State Parks. Each must showcase both the natural and human histories of their surroundings.

To take people from the museum to parks and historical sites, there should be a people mover system unique to Niagara Falls. Replicas of the Great Gorge Route cars would provide a special experience. Movement should not be too fast so that the views may be enjoyed.

Eventually, the cars could be sent to destinations such as Buffalo and Lockport.

The best way to accomplish the above-mentioned goals is to get support for them from elected officials at all levels of government. They can work to get support from the business community.

Our history is our greatest treasure. During the past few years, it has been showcased on many national and international television programs, such as Fading in the Mist and Raging Rapids. The time has come to give our millions of visitors a very special reason to stay longer--a visit to our wonderful past.