Niagara Rises

The Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society (NFHPS) announces its first tours of Downtown Niagara Falls to be held during the Buffalo Niagara Homecoming on June 27, 2009. 

A narrated Victorian Era tour will be led by NFHPS President Bill Bradberry beginning  of the tour at the First Presbyterian Church- 311 First Street at 10 am.  Visitors will be greeted by costumed guides Augustus Porter and his daughter, Lavinia, who were among the church founders and notable leaders of the City of Niagara Falls.  Stroll along historic Buffalo Avenue looking at churches and stately homes, including taking a closer look inside one of oldest homes in Niagara Falls.

The second tour, led by City Historian and preservation architect Tom Yots, will highlight downtown Niagara Falls of the 1920’s.  Meet just outside the Red Coach Inn, 2 Buffalo Avenue at 2 pm to glimpse the historic and the architecture “up close and personal” of such places as the United Office Building, the newly restored Jefferson Apartment Building, and the Niagara Hotel, currently being restored.  Tour members will discover historic Buffalo Avenue in the era of flappers and their escorts along for the ride.

Call the Niagara University General Information Center/Green Line to make a reservation Monday through Thursday from 9 until 5 pm. (716) 205-0287 to reserve early for either or both tours since there are a limited number of spaces available.  Cost for each tour is $15 per person payable to the Niagara Falls Historic Preservation Society (or NFHPS), P.O. Box 1945, Niagara Falls, NY 14302-1945.  Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.  Both tours will take about an hour.

Marge Gilles - chair

Published Colleen Kulikowski

On Wednesday, March 26, 2008 I will be part of a group that will be guiding a tour of Historic Downtown Niagara Falls.  Niagara Rises and I invite you to join us as we explore some of the rich architectural history of the homes in Downtown Niagara Falls.  The historic walking trail goes through Downtown and a neighborhood that was once one of the most prosperous area of Niagara Falls.  The City of Niagara Falls has produced this walking tour of Niagara Falls and Niagara Rises is in the process of organizing Guided Walking Tours for the summer.  If you are interested in joining us for this walk, here is the information about the tour:

March 26, 2008

9:00 am - 10:30 am

Meet at 1st Presbyterian Church

311 Rainbow Blvd. | Niagara Falls NY

Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes as we will be walking through Downtown Niagara Falls.  In case of rain, alternate date, will be Friday March 28th, same time and place.

Are you interested in becoming part of the Historic Walking Tour Committee?  Do you have information regarding the many historic homes in Niagara Falls?   Then join the next meeting of Niagara Rises date and time of next meeting will be posted on their website.  If you are interested in learning more about Niagara Falls History, the Friends of the Local History Department are holding an open house at the Niagara Falls Public Library at 1425 Main Street on Saturday, April 26, 2008 between 2:00 - 4:00pm.